The former Chicago Town & Tennis Club building, a picturesque Tudor structure on Thome Avenue in the West Ridge neighborhood, built in 1924, was converted to a church and social center by Unity Church in 1989. In 2018 the church, whose congregation has been shrinking, sold the property for $7.5 million to its next-door neighbor. Misericordia Heart of Mercy, a facility for people with developmental disabilities.



Misericordia, which has a years-long waiting list for housing, announced it would replace the building with new housing for about 175 residents. Under pressure from the local alderman and others, Misericordia has postponed demolition of the building, but its need for new housing is urgent. The preservation group is working with Misericordia and others to find a solution that sidesteps demolition.

“The most compelling alternative is for the building to be moved to Emmerson Park” south of its present site, Preservation Chicago says.