End of an Era: Jackson Square Antique Mall to Become New Condo Development in La Grange

One of the most recognizable buildings in downtown La Grange is preparing for a major transformation. The La Grange Village Board recently approved a plan to redevelop the historic Jackson Square Antique Mall property into a new residential condominium building, a move that marks the end of more than a century of history at the site.

Located at 112 E. Burlington Avenue, just steps from the BNSF Metra line, the iconic brick building has served many purposes over the past 120 years, evolving alongside the community itself.

From Railroad Warehouse to Antique Destination

The structure was originally built in 1903 as a warehouse for the Jackson Moving & Storage Company. Its location next to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad (today’s BNSF Metra line) made it ideal for shipping household goods and freight during the railroad boom of the early 20th century.

The building’s sturdy brick construction, thick masonry walls and freight doors reflected its industrial purpose. In the 1920s the façade was updated with decorative architectural elements that gave it a distinctive appearance along Burlington Avenue.

For decades, the building functioned as part of La Grange’s rail-adjacent industrial corridor surrounded by warehouses and small manufacturing facilities.

That changed in 1998, when the building was converted into Jackson Square Antique Mall.

The new concept transformed the old warehouse into a multi-vendor antique marketplace where individual dealers rented booths to sell collectibles, furniture, art, vintage clothing, and decorative items.

Over time the antique mall became a regional destination for vintage enthusiasts and collectors. At its peak more than 70 small vendors operated booths inside the building, creating a constantly evolving “treasure hunt” experience for visitors.

For more than two decades, it became part of the character of downtown La Grange.

Why the Building Is Being Redeveloped

Despite its popularity, the structure itself presents major challenges.

Because it was built as a warehouse in the early 1900s parts of the building have very low ceilings and outdated infrastructure making renovation for modern residential or commercial use extremely difficult and expensive.

After several redevelopment attempts over the years the village recently approved a new proposal from local developer Five South Six LLC.

What Will Replace It

The approved project calls for a new multi story condominium building with 39 residential units.

Key details include:

• Approximately 4–5 stories

• Underground parking garage

• Private balconies for many units

• Walking distance to downtown restaurants, shops, and the Metra station

While official prices have not been announced, new construction condos in downtown La Grange currently range roughly from $350,000 to over $1 million depending on size and finishes.

Construction timelines have not been finalized, but typical development schedules suggest:

• 2026 – final design approvals and permits

• Late 2026 / early 2027 demolition likely begins

• 2027–2028 construction and potential first closings

Community Debate

The proposal generated significant debate among residents.

Many community members advocated for preserving the historic building and the antique mall that operated inside it for decades. A petition opposing demolition gathered nearly 2,000 signatures.

Supporters of the redevelopment, however, argue that the project will bring new residents to downtown La Grange and increase foot traffic for local restaurants and businesses.

It also reflects a broader trend happening across Chicago’s suburbs: replacing aging commercial or industrial buildings with transit-oriented housing near commuter rail stations.

What Happens to the Antique Mall?

The operators of Jackson Square Antique Mall have said they hope to relocate the business to another location so the community of antique dealers can continue operating somewhere in the region.

If successful the beloved marketplace may still live on just in a new home.

A Changing Suburban Landscape

Projects like this are becoming increasingly common across Chicagoland.

Communities are rethinking how downtown areas evolve, especially near train lines where walkability and housing demand continue to grow.

While the future of the Jackson Square site will look very different, its story reflects the ongoing transformation of suburban downtowns throughout the region.

For now, longtime visitors and antique hunters are taking one last look at a building that has been part of La Grange’s landscape for more than a century.