Johnson Publishing finds new home, clearing way for Columbia

Library, center for black music research to take over building

01/11/2012 2:28 PM

By Ben Meyerson
Editor

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Johnson Publishing Co., the publisher of black-focused magazines Ebony and Jet, has found a new home in the Loop in the Borg-Warner Building, at 200 S. Michigan Ave.

They’ll lease the top three stories of that building, which is currently occupied by artists’ haven the Cliff Dwellers Club, according to the Chicago Sun-Times and Crain’s Chicago Business. Cliff Dwellers have been given a 120-day eviction notice.

That opens up the former Johnson building, at 820 S. Michigan Ave., for Columbia College. Columbia bought the building from Johnson in November 2010 for about $8 million, but gave the publisher 18 months to make plans to move out.

Columbia’s library will be moved to Johnson’s old building, the college’s president Warrick L. Carter wrote in an open letter when they bought the building. The school’s center for black music research will move there as well, and other plans are in the works.

Reached in the wake of the news of Johnson’s new home, Columbia spokeswoman Erin Purdy said they didn’t yet have a timeline for taking over 820 S. Michigan Ave.


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By Mustaphap from South Loop
Posted: 01/18/2012 4:21 PM

More buildings being taken off the tax base, thanks to the ever expanding universities.