History Meets Innovation: Near West Side's Chicago Daily News Building Tapped for Landmark Status — Plus a Fresh Retail Concept Lands in Fulton Market

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Near West Side · June 21, 2026

Near West Side neighbors, your community is making headlines for all the right reasons this week — and two brand-new stories show just how beautifully the old and the new coexist in this corner of Chicago.

First, a major preservation win: the City of Chicago proposed a landmark designation and tax incentive for the Near West Side's historic Chicago Daily News Building on June 17th. It's a meaningful step toward protecting one of the neighborhood's most storied architectural gems for generations to come — and a reminder that as the Near West Side races forward, it never loses sight of where it came from.

Meanwhile, on the retail front, a genuinely fresh concept has touched down in Fulton Market. LiveLaunch, a first-of-its-kind retail hub, recently opened at 810 W. Washington Blvd., featuring 11 "pods" subleased to digitally native brands — giving online-only companies their very first real-world storefront experience right here in your neighborhood. It's a smart, forward-thinking model that adds exciting new shopping energy to an already buzzing district.

From landmark preservation to next-generation retail, the Near West Side is proving it can honor its past while boldly building its future. Follow the City of Chicago's official channels and Crain's Chicago Business for updates on both stories — and get out this week to explore what's new!

Sources:
1. https://www.chicago.gov/
2. https://www.chicagobusiness.com/real-estate/commercial/ccb-livelaunch-fulton-market-20260617/