We are pleased to announce that Trope’s recent title, The Salt Shed: The Transformation of a Chicago Landmark by Sandra Steinbrecher, has been recognized by The Newberry Library and The Pattis Family Foundation as a shortlist title for the 2025 Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award. Given annually, the award celebrates works that transform public understanding of Chicago, its history, and its people. The Newberry Library is a world-renowned independent research library that has been free and open to the public since 1887.

This marks the first the time the juried panel has selected a photography book for recognition, and we are thrilled to have published this noteworthy book that is clearly resonating with a wide array of readers.

Published in September 2024, The Salt Shed chronicles the compelling work of reimagining and transforming Chicago’s impressive Morton Salt Warehouse while honoring its history and its working-class roots. Photographer and writer Sandra Steinbrecher spent nearly two years documenting the deconstruction, reconstruction, and reinvigoration of this classic, industrial Chicago building. Through breathtaking photos and interviews with the people who made the restoration possible – including architects, developers and workers who did the daily labor – The Salt Shed takes the reader behind the scenes in one of Chicago’s most distinctive restoration projects of the 21st century.

Read the full announcement here.