Restoration of Historic Jailhouse showcases apartments, businesses
He took over ownership of the old Kendall County Jail at 111 W.
Madison St. in September 2019, right before the Covid 19 outbreak. “I couldn’t have planned it any more inappropriatedly, but I like a
challenge,” says owner Peter McKnight, of KCJ Restoration, Inc.. “But I’m always interested in doing something a little bit different and challenging.” Originally from Glen Ellyn, McKnight had recently finished two
restorations of historic buildings in Spartanburg, South Carolina, when he was contacted by his brother, Nat, who told him about the Old Jail. Nat is a former school classmate of Lisa Wolancevich, who is president of the Yorkville Historic Preservation Commission. Lisa had reached out to Nat to ask for help in saving the historic brick building, which was built in 1893. “I did my research. I was certainly impressed by the Old Jail,” says
McKnight, who also has done a lot of rehab work in the Chicago area. “I saw things that made me immediately think it was restorable. But the challenges were like stars in the sky.” After two years of meeting the multiple challenges, McKnight in
January welcomed visitors to a Yorkville Chamber ribbon cutting, and then offered tours of the now finished renovation that includes four one-bedroom apartments with balconies facing the Fox River in what was formerly the building’s garage, and, in the historic main building, one two-bedroom apartment where he lives and two offices for businesses - Still Aesthetics and Skin 101. McKnight is looking for users for the jail cell area, which he preserved. Anyone interested in hiring McKnight for consultation on a historic preservation project should call 773-240-6546.
Peter McKnight, left, and City Administrator Bart Olson in McKnight’s apartment. Te apartment’s kitchen, below. Jail cells, bottom.
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