The Lathrop Homes Steam Plant

What you see below is a view of the old steam plant that heated the entirety of the "Lathrop Homes" housing project using radiators. A massive amount of heat was produced and sent out to separate buildings in the complex. Originally commissioned by Public Works Administration under FDR, it was one of the first public housing projects and was constructed during the early 1930s in Chicago. The Lathrop Homes was host to thousands of residents until its closer in 1999 as part of then Mayor Daley's "Plan for Transformation".

This particular building has always piqued my curiosity, not only due to the aging industrial equipment inside, but also to the eerie feel that the graffiti and broken glass lend to the building. Although it has been closed to the public for over 10 years, it is not uncommon to see some of Chicago's local homeless in or around the building. 

Knowing this, I limited myself to a daytime view of the building... until I was inspired to take a closer look as part of my October 2021 photo project.