This photographer documents demolition in Chicago

6062-64 S State 2 demolition — Spicknall photographed 6062-6064 South State Street prior to its demolition in April of 2023.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

Meet the Chicago photographer documenting demolition in the city

Soren Spicknall captures hauntingly beautiful pictures of Chicago buildings just before they’re torn down.

Spicknall photographed 6062-6064 South State Street prior to its demolition in April of 2023.

Courtesy of Soren Spicknall

By Jules Yaeger

Chicago tears down a lot of buildings — the city issued nearly a thousand demolition permits in 2023 alone. But it’s not always clear why or what is being torn down. One Chicago photographer has made it his mission to document these doomed buildings before they’re razed.

Reset learns more about the project.

GUEST: Soren Spicknall, photographer behind the photo series Leave the Seat Empty