Logan Reid
Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center was a hospital located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The hospital was founded in 1881 and was one of the oldest and largest hospitals in Chicago. It closed in 2009 after 127 years of operation, during which it provided excellent patient care, made significant research contributions, and acted as one of the top medical training centers in the country. The site of the former hospital has been vacant since its closure, with most of the buildings demolished, and the city of Chicago has been working on redevelopment plans for the site.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 2929 S. Ellis Avenue, Bronzeville neighborhood, Chicago, Illinois |
| Year founded | 1881 |
| Year closed | 2009 |
| Size | 48-acre campus with 29 buildings |
| Number of beds at its height | 2,400 |
| Number of beds at the time of closure | 150 |
| Radioactive contamination discovered on site | Yes |
| Current status | Vacant, with plans for redevelopment |
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What You'll Learn
Michael Reese Hospital closed in 2009
Michael Reese Hospital, founded in 1881, was a major research and teaching hospital and one of the oldest and largest hospitals in Chicago, Illinois. The hospital was located at 2929 S. Ellis Avenue on the near south side of Chicago, next to Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Route 41) along Lake Michigan.
Michael Reese Hospital was created by a community of individuals who believed that the gift of human life comes with a responsibility for the welfare of every human being. In 1878, an unexpected bequest made it possible for that community to act on its belief. The bequest was from Michael Reese, a German Jewish immigrant who had built a fortune through ambition, hard work, thrift, and a talent for business. On his death, Reese left $200,000 in trust to his sister and brother-in-law, who chose to use the money to fund a Jewish hospital that welcomed everyone, regardless of religion, race, or sex.
In its early years, the hospital served a diverse array of mostly European immigrants. By the time the hospital closed in 2009, it primarily served Chicago's black community. The hospital officially closed on August 31, 2009, and the 48-acre campus was vacated by January 2009. At the time of its closure, the hospital had only 150 beds, down from 2,400 at its peak.
The hospital's closure was likely due to financial difficulties, as Illinois was facing a worsening state of finances at the time. The site was proposed as the location for the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Museum, but the Obama Foundation ultimately selected Jackson Park. There were also plans to construct the Olympic Village on the site for the 2016 Olympics, but Chicago was not awarded the Games.
In 2017, the City of Chicago selected a team of local developers known as GRIT to redevelop the site, and in 2021, the Chicago City Council approved a $3.8 billion redevelopment project for the former site of Michael Reese Hospital, called Bronzeville Lakefront. The project will include a mix of medical research facilities, residential units, retail spaces, offices, and open spaces.
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The hospital was founded in 1881
The Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center was an American hospital located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The hospital was founded in 1881 as the first Jewish hospital in Chicago, serving people of all religions, races, and sexes.
The hospital was established following the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, which left the city in disarray. Jacob Rosenberg, a brother-in-law of Michael Reese, proposed using funds from Reese's bequest to build a new Jewish hospital. A plot of land was purchased at 29th Street and Groveland Park Avenue (renamed Ellis Avenue), and the first Michael Reese Hospital was opened on this site in 1881. The building was constructed from brick and stone to ensure it was fireproof.
Over the years, the hospital expanded with the addition of new buildings and specialty clinics, including a tumor center, a psychiatric institute, a nurse's residence, and a heart surgery center. The hospital also received grants and donations to erect buildings devoted to medical research and children's health. At its height, Michael Reese Hospital had 2,400 beds and was the largest hospital in Chicago.
However, the hospital faced challenges over time, and by the time of its closure in 2008, only 150 beds were in use. The site was vacated in January 2009, and the hospital officially closed on August 31, 2009. In the years following its closure, there have been various proposals for redeveloping the site, including plans for Amazon's new headquarters, a Chicago casino, and a health sciences center.
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It was one of Chicago's oldest and largest hospitals
Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center was one of Chicago's oldest and largest hospitals. It was founded in 1881 and was located at 2929 S. Ellis Avenue on the near south side of Chicago, next to Lake Shore Drive.
The hospital was established with funds from the inheritance of Michael Reese, a wealthy businessman, and was built by the United Hebrew Association. It was the first Jewish hospital in Chicago, serving a community that had been devastated by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The hospital was open to all, regardless of religion, race, or sex, and it quickly became a prominent medical centre in Chicago.
Michael Reese Hospital grew over the years, purchasing adjacent properties from 1954 to 1986 and constructing additional clinics and pavilions. At its height, the hospital had 2,400 beds and was the largest in Chicago. It was a major research and teaching hospital, attracting leading medical practitioners and scientists from around the world. It was known for its pioneering research and training programs, with many scientific breakthroughs originating from the hospital.
However, the hospital struggled financially in the early 21st century and eventually closed its doors in 2009 after 127 years of operation. The site was vacated, and most of the buildings were demolished due to their poor condition and contamination from radioactive material. Despite the closure, the Foundation Board of Directors continued the legacy of the hospital by investing in research, education, and community service in the Chicago area.
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The site is being redeveloped for mixed-use
The Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center was a hospital located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1881 and was one of the oldest and largest hospitals in Chicago. The hospital officially closed on August 31, 2009, after serving the city for 127 years.
In 2017, plans were revealed to redevelop the former hospital site. The city of Chicago selected a team of local developers known as GRIT to purchase and redevelop the site. The team includes Farpoint Development, Loop Capital Management, McLaurin Development Partners, Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, and Bronzeville Community Development Partnership. The redevelopment project, called Bronzeville Lakefront, will encompass approximately 8 million square feet of mixed-use space.
The project will include a mix of medical research facilities, a data center, mixed-income residential units, retail spaces, offices, and open spaces. The northern portion of the site will include medical research facilities, a data center, residential units, and retail and office spaces. The development will be constructed over the next two decades, with the first phase currently being studied by GRIT in response to shifting market conditions.
The site was previously proposed as the location for the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Museum, as well as the Olympic Village for the 2016 Olympic Games. However, both proposals were ultimately rejected. The latest plans for the site include a 500,000-square-foot medical research and innovation center, with Israel's Sheba Medical Center planning to occupy up to 25% of the space.
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The hospital was internationally renowned for research
Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center was a hospital located in the Bronzeville neighbourhood of Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1881 and was one of the oldest and largest hospitals in Chicago. The hospital closed in 2009 after 127 years of operation, during which it gained international renown for its research and training contributions.
Michael Reese Hospital was established using funds from the inheritance of Michael Reese, a wealthy businessman, by the United Hebrew Association. The hospital was built on the near south side of Chicago, at 2929 S. Ellis Avenue, and was intended to be a place where all patients would be treated regardless of religion, ethnicity, or class. Over time, the hospital grew and expanded, purchasing adjacent properties and constructing additional clinics and pavilions.
The hospital was highly regarded for its research contributions, attracting leading medical practitioners and scientists from around the world. It was at the forefront of medicine, making significant therapeutic breakthroughs that spread to hospitals worldwide. The hospital was also a major teaching hospital, providing postgraduate training in various medical specialities.
In addition to its research and educational endeavours, Michael Reese Hospital was committed to serving the community. It provided quality patient care and acted as a safety net hospital, ensuring access to healthcare for all. The hospital also funded various initiatives, such as the High School-Hospital Partnership at Chicago Public Schools, which offered site visits, job shadowing, and internships for students.
Despite its illustrious history and contributions, Michael Reese Hospital struggled financially in the early 21st century and eventually closed its doors in 2009. The site remained vacant for several years, with most of the buildings being demolished due to vandalism and contamination issues. In recent years, redevelopment plans have been proposed for the site, including the construction of medical research facilities, residential units, and office spaces.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Michael Reese Hospital closed in 2009 after 127 years of operation.
The hospital was located at 2929 S. Ellis Avenue on the near south side of Chicago, next to Lake Shore Drive.
The original hospital building was neglected and fell into disrepair, ultimately being demolished after repeated break-ins and vandalism.
The site has been vacant since the hospital's closure, but redevelopment plans are underway. The latest proposal is for the site to be used for medical research facilities, offices, residential units, and retail spaces.
The hospital struggled to adapt to the changing landscape of medicine and faced financial difficulties. The hospital's board decided to sell the hospital in the late 1980s, and it was acquired by Humana in 1991.
