Demolition work has commenced on a notable building in downtown Chicago that has a tragic history linked to a deadly incident at the E2 dance club nearly two decades ago. This incident resulted in the loss of 21 lives and left almost 60 others injured. A demolition crew started its task on Tuesday following an emergency order issued by the Chicago Department of Buildings after declaring the 114-year-old establishment posed an “actual and imminent danger to the public,” as reported by local news outlets.
The decision to demolish came after the Commission on Chicago Landmarks denied the building owner’s request to tear it down on November 7. Originally opened as a Fiat dealership in 1910, the building forms part of the historic Motor Row District, which is renowned for its significance to the city’s heritage.
The unfortunate events unfolded in the early hours of February 17, 2003, when security personnel at the bustling E2 dance hall resorted to using pepper spray to disperse a fight. This action incited panic among clubgoers, leading to a chaotic rush for the exit. Unfortunately, the doors were designed to open inwards, resulting in a disastrous pile-up and tragic loss of life. Since the incident, the building has remained unoccupied.
The property’s current owner, Randy Shifrin, acquired the site in 2021 with plans to transform it into a 21-story residential complex intended for senior citizens. Shifrin has committed to including a memorial dedicated to the victims of the disaster within the new development.
Investigations revealed that, at the time of the tragedy, the club had exceeded its legal capacity by a significant margin and was also violating a court order that mandated the closure of the second floor due to structural code infractions. In response to the horrific event, the city quickly enacted an ordinance to prohibit the indoor use of pepper spray and similar substances. Shortly after, state legislators, led by then-state Senator Barack Obama, passed a law banning such sprays indoors, outlining restrictions against blocking exits in nightclubs, and mandating that larger venues install panic bars on each door.