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April 2017
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Preservation Chicago's 2017 "Chicago 7 Most Endangered" Coach Tour
 
Preservation Chicago "2017 Chicago 7 Most Endangered" Original Poster

Please join Preservation Chicago for a Chicago 7 CoachTour of our 2017 Most Endangered.
 
Saturday June 3rd  
10am to 3pm

Learn why we have chosen these as our most endangered and what these spaces and works of art mean to the city of Chicago.  We will visit the Madison Pulaski Commercial District, Chicago's 20th Century Public Sculptures in the Loop, a stop at Jackson Park and the South Shore Cultural Center, the Union Station Power House, Cornell Store and Flats and Altgeld Gardens.

The tour will be conducted by Ward Miller, Executive Director of Preservation Chicago and Jacob Kaplan of Forgotten Chicago (and Preservation Chicago Board Vice-President), two experts on the history of Chicago and its architecture.

Beginning at 10am a luxury coach departs from Preservation Chicago at 4410 N. Ravenswood. 
Come a little early and grab some coffee and breakfast rolls.  A box lunch will be served.

Tour ends by 3pm at Preservation Chicago 4410 N. Ravenswood.

Cost of the Tour is $35 per person.

 

If you would like a complimentary copy of the printed Chicago 2017 booklet, please email your request to info@preservationchicago.org.  And please be sure to include your mailing address.

Keep an eye out for the original Poster Art for "2017 Chicago 7 Most Endangered" to be available soon on the Preservation Chicago website.



Historic CTA Quincy Loop Elevated Station Renovation Underway
 
Historic Quincy 'L' Station Platform, Photo Credit by Graham Garfield

Construction permits have been issued for the renovation of the historic CTA Quincy Loop 'L' Station at 220 South Wells.  Built in 1897 to coincide with the Worlds Columbian Exhibition and designed by Alfred M. Hedley in the Neoclassical style with Palladian influences, the 120-year old station is one of the oldest and is the best preserved of the CTA's first generation 'L' stations.  

"The Quincy 'L' station has served riders for more than 100 years, providing Chicagoans with convenient access to and from Chicago's downtown Loop," said CTA President Dorval Carter. "These improvements will retain the station's historic appearance while making necessary upgrades including the addition of two elevators."

During planning and design, the CTA was mindful of the need to both sensitively handle the station's many important historic elements while upgrading the station for contemporary use.  The $18 million plan includes two new elevators along Wells Street which will make the station accessible to customers with disabilities.  The elevators were intentionally set away from the historic station house to avoid interfering with their historic elements.  Other improvements include an accessible covered walkway and new exit stairs. Existing platforms and station house will be modified to accommodate the expanded walkway.  Lighting will be upgraded and the station painted and spruced up.

The station's historic character is largely intact thanks in part to the preservation sensitive restoration in 1988 by the Office of John Vinci, now Vinci-Hamp Architects, including the replication from the original 1897 drawings of the ticket agent's booth.  "The interior retains its pressed tin walls and ceiling and tongue-in-groove chair-rail wood paneling. Most is original and what was damaged or missing was recreated. New replicas of the oak doors and moldings were created and installed. The original fare collection booths are still in place, as well as old fare register equipment." (Chicago-L.org)

The station provides more than 2.2 million rides annually on the Brown, Orange, Pink and Purple lines, is a major multi-modal transfer point for ten CTA bus routes, and is proximate to Union Station and the LaSalle Street Metra Station.

Preservation Chicago applauds the CTA for recognizing and respecting the historic character of the Quincy 'L' Station.  Our organization's long effort to save the Madison-Wabash Station House and the continued interest in the station house façade panels on temporary exhibition at the Rebuilding Exchange has helped to raise and maintain awareness of the importance of the CTA's historic station houses.  We look forward to announcing a permanent home for the Madison-Wabash Station House panels in Chicago later this year.

Additional Reading
 

Serbian American Club Withdraws Demolition Permit Application Fearing Aldermanic Support for Landmark Protection

Serbian American Museum & Club St Sava, Photo credit Redfin


UPDATE: Shortly before the Chicago Commission on Landmarks' April meeting, the Board of the Serbian American Club withdrew the demolition permit request, for the second time.  This action removed the historic 1905, East Lake View Daniel O. Hill House, from the agenda and prevented 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney and community members from advocating for the building's consideration for Preliminary Landmark Designation. It also prevented the Chicago Commission on Landmarks from taking a vote to approve Preliminary Landmark Designation which would provide protection against demolition.
 
The building is safe for now, but Preservation Chicago and community stakeholders will remain vigilant until the building is secure; either by being sold to a preservation-sensitive buyer or through landmark protection.  The building is significant enough to be eligible for an individual landmark or ideally, could an anchor an expanded East Lake View or "Meekerville" Historic Landmark District.

Preservation Chicago applauds 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney for his leadership. Alderman Tunney's vocal support for Preliminary Landmark Designation has proved to be an important pillar in the defense and protection for this building. 

Thanks to the rapid-response advocacy of Preservation Chicago, community leaders and community organizations, DPD Landmarks staff initially considered the request for Preliminary Landmark Designation and has recommended that the Landmarks Commission grant preliminary landmark status. Preservation Chicago applauds DPD Landmarks Staff for prioritizing this important historic structure.

As part of a planned sale to a developer, the board of the Serbian American Club had twice submitted a request for a demolition permit which triggered the 90-day demolition delay.  For many months, Preservation Chicago has been providing assistance to the Serbian-American community and Lake View residents that have been leading the effort to stop the sale and demolition of the Serbian American Museum & Club/St Sava.  An online petition to stop the sale and demolition received nearly 900 signatures.  Preservation Chicago has been in communication with Alderman Tunney and his staff, has written letters of support to DPD Landmarks Staff in support of landmark designation, and has included updates in the monthly Preservation Chicago Newsletter.

This preservation effort might yield greater benefits for Lake View.  Blair Kamin reported that, "Tunney held a community meeting Feb. 28 to discuss a possible landmark district for an area that would include the Barry Avenue mansion and other properties. The district would be bounded by Sheridan and Broadway, and Belmont and Oakdale avenues, Lawson said.
But while Tunney backs landmark status for the mansion, he has not committed to the district. "He would like to have a buy-in from the owners," Lawson said."
 
The Serbian American Museum & Club/St Sava has operated since 1952 from the historic 11,400 square foot mansion in East Lake View. This extraordinary Prairie Style home, originally the Daniel O. Hill House at 448 W. Barry Ave was designed by Frederick W. Perkins and was completed in 1902. Its graceful proportions, broad porch, intricate classical ornament, unique and highly-ornamented arched third floor dormer and fine detailing with Roman brick make it a natural candidate for consideration as a Designated Chicago Landmark.
 
Even among the many wonderful historic homes in Lake View, the Hill House is so important that it was individually recognized for its architectural significance on a short list of 14 homes from the hundreds of homes within the 1972 Lakeview Historic District National Register Nomination.
 
This orange-rated building is architecturally outstanding and has served an important cultural resource for the Chicago Serbian community for over 60 years. Preservation Chicago fully supports a Historic Landmark Designation and strongly supports a wider Historic Landmark District to protect greater number of significant Lake View homes and buildings. Our organization urges the Landmarks Commission, 44th Ward Alderman Tunney, Serbian and Lake View neighborhood organizations, and Lakeview neighbors to continue to take the steps necessary to protect this important historic landmark and others in the district.
 
Additional Reading

Proposed High-Rise at Superior and Wabash Rejected, but Superior Street Row Houses Remain Endangered by New Development Possibility.

42, 44, & 46 E. Superior Rowhouses, Photo Credit by Ward Miller

UPDATE: Alderman Brendan Reilly rejected the proposal for a 60-story tower to be built on the northeast corner of Superior Street and Wabash Avenue. The site is currently home to three 1880's row houses, as well as a seven-story Art Deco limestone building and part of the historic four-story red brick Giordano's building (730 N. Rush Street).
 

The tower proposed by Symmetry Development would have included 216 hotel rooms, 120 timeshare units, 246 condominiums, 30,000 square feet of retail space, and parking for 325 vehicles.  With widespread community opposition, Alderman Reilly opposed the mixed-use development due to the traffic issues it would likely cause.

Although out of immediate danger, the East Superior row houses are still under threat. Symmetry Development may consider a revised plan with a shorter high-rise looking toward the future.

Preservation Chicago strongly opposes the demolition of three orange rated row-houses at 42, 44 and 46 East Superior dating from the 1870's and 1880's.  The status of the adjacent seven-story Art Deco limestone building and part of the historic four-story red brick Giordano's building at 730 N. Rush Street, identified as significant in the Illinois Historic Structures Survey-ISS, are also threatened with demolition by the same proposed development.
Preservation Chicago strongly opposes the demolition of three orange-rated row houses at 42, 44 and 46 E. Superior dating from the 1870's and 1880's.  The adjacent seven-story Art Deco limestone building and part of the historic four-story red brick Giordano's building at 730 N. Rush Street, identified as significant in the Illinois Historic Structures Survey, are also threatened with demolition by a proposed development.

"These are all really wonderful buildings and they could make part of a landmark district," said Ward Miller of Preservation Chicago. (Koziarz, 3/14/17)
 
At the public meeting held by 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly regarding the super tall building proposed by New York based Symmetry Property Development, Ward Miller's passionate statement in support of preservation was meet with an enthusiastic round of applause from the over 300 residents in attendance.
 
Preservation Chicago discovered this remerged threat in fall 2016, broke the story to the media, and began to deploy its rapid response advocacy to prevent demolition.  An Asian investor based in New York assembled much, if not all, of the block with the intention of clearing all the buildings and building a high-rise hotel.  Some business owners had been warned of a possible redevelopment and are preparing for a 60 day notice to vacate.  These orange-rated buildings would trigger the 90 Day Demolition Delay Ordinance.

Preservation Chicago has been very concerned over the increasing frequency and recent losses of low-rise historic Near North Side buildings, in and around an area established by Cyrus McCormick's family and once known as "McCormickville".  As development pressure grows and as surface parking lots are being developed, developers are actively targeting remaining clusters of intact, low-rise, historic buildings as development sites.  Numerous historic buildings and historic clusters have been demolished recently, and another cluster of Victorian row houses 12-22 W. Erie St. is actively threatened with demolition for another new hotel development. 

Preservation Chicago is also concerned about the displacement and loss of small, locally-owned restaurants and retail Chicago Legacy Businesses that employ Chicagoans and contribute to the vibrancy of our neighborhoods.  A new "McCormickville" Landmark District would be a powerful tool to protect this neighborhood's historic building fabric and strengthen the vibrancy of this community.

"To ensure the protection of these buildings, Preservation Chicago is hoping that area residents will help push for the creation of a new landmark district. This is McCormickville. This is where the McCormick family lived before and after the Great Chicago Fire.  And with the continued demolition of other shorter, older buildings in the area, that there are only a handful of the original McCormickville buildings left.  We need to value every inch of space where there are historic buildings that tell the story of the neighborhood." Ward Miller, Executive Director of Preservation, Curbed Chicago 12/8/16

Additional Reading
Future Unknown for St. Martin's on the Dan Ryan
 
St. Martin's De Tours, Photo Credit by Eric Allix Rogers

BREAKING NEWS: The Chicago Embassy Church, originally known as "St. Martin's" overlooking the Dan Ryan Expressway has been foreclosed and possibly sold.  The future of this important historic church building remains uncertain.

In 1894, architect Henry Schlacks was commissioned to design a church building at 5848 to 5850 S. Princeton in Englewood, for German immigrants and a German-American settlement established in 1886.  Originally constructed as "St. Martin's De Tours," the Gothic Revival structure was said to be modeled after a church in Mainz, Germany. The name was later modified to "St. Martin De Porres," honoring the Roman Catholic African-American congregation which settled in Englewood.

The Archdiocese of Chicago closed St. Martin's in 1989, and renamed another church at 5112 W. Washington Boulevard, originally constructed as St. Thomas Aquinas, which had been closed for several years, and located in the Austin community, in honor of St. Martin De Porres.

Several preservation efforts were undertaken in the 1990's, by the architecture and preservation community (most notably, the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois, now known as Landmarks Illinois), for the Henry Schlacks designed, St. Martin's on Princeton. Noting the significance of this church and architect, and its prominence, situated atop and overlooking the Dan Ryan Expressway at 58th Street, with its elegant limestone façade, picturesque turrets and finials, decorative carved stone facades, and its massive tower and steeple and high gables, it was considered to be one of Chicago's great religious buildings. Another feature of the building added in the 1930s, was a gilded statue of St. Martin De Tours atop a horse, set on the high gable on the main façade, which was removed in recent years and has since been lost.

In 1998, the "Chicago Embassy Church," became the new owner of the building and invested in a new roof, electrical, plumbing and heating system. Several members of the congregation also had affiliations with the former St. Martin's Parish and School.

Preservation Chicago is very concerned about the future of this amazing structure by Henry Schlacks, who once worked with the Adler & Sullivan firm and later became one of Cardinal Mundelein's favored architects. In recent years, we have been involved with the preservation of several churches designed by Schlacks, including The Shrine of Christ the King/St. Gelasius/St. Clara in Woodlawn, St. Boniface in West Town, and St. Adalbert in Pilsen.


Additional Reading


Landmark Toolkit Presentation Well Received by Lincoln Park Community Group
 
 325 W. Fullerton Parkway, Photo Credit by Ward Miller


On April 18th, Ward Miller presented a Historic Landmark Toolkit presentation at the invitation of the Mid-North Association regarding the proposed Lincoln Park West Landmark District neighborhood initiative.  The presentation explored historic landmark buildings within the proposed district, referenced examples of other historic landmark districts in proximity, and presented empirical data from studies of existing landmark districts. 

The purpose of the presentation was to help inform community stakeholders regarding Landmark Districts, dispel widely-held landmark myths, and to empower community catalysts to achieve their preservation goals.  The 40 minute presentation was followed by questions and answers.  The meeting was well received with over 40 community members in attendance.  Another outcome of the presentation was that community members began a conversation regarding expanding the boundaries of the proposed Landmark District to protect additional historic properties fronting Lincoln Park.  This idea would extend the proposed District from Fullerton to Armitage and protect the Lincoln Park streetwall; much like the Michigan Boulevard Landmark District protects Grant Park.

"LandmarkLincolnPark.org" is a neighborhood initiative from a group of residents based near Lincoln Park West and Fullerton, which has launched an outstanding website and is advocating to designate a new Lincoln Park Landmark District. 

The recent sale of the seven-story, 48-unit apartment building at 325 W. Fullerton Parkway, marks the first time this building has been sold since it was built in 1917.  The same family has owned the building for four generations.  (Gallun, Crain's, 4/17/17)

Despite the beauty of this historic building, it is not orange-rated, so there would be no warning or 90 Day Demolition Delay hold in the event of a demolition permit application. Fortunately, the Chicago-based buyer, Newcastle has suggested they value the building's historic element and plan to renovate the structure.  Considering the importance of this collection of historic buildings, the protections afforded by a Chicago Landmark District seem appropriate.

"The demolition threat is real for many of the stately residences along Lincoln Park West and Fullerton Parkway which form an elegant and welcoming backdrop to Chicago's Lincoln Park and its most popular cultural and recreational amenities, such as Lincoln Park Zoo, the Conservatory, and North Pond.

These historic buildings, along with their neighbors along Belden and Commonwealth Avenues, are essential to Lincoln Park's distinct feeling and sense of place. Built between 1907 and 1924 for some of Chicago's most influential citizens and designed by several of Chicago's most celebrated architects, this lovingly preserved district showcases the finest in the City's residential design of the early 20th century. It is a treasure for its residents, for Chicago as a whole, and for everyone who visits Lincoln Park's attractions." Adapted from LandmarkLincolnPark.org.

To protect this district's beauty and distinguished architectural history, and in addition to preserving the Lincoln Park streetscape and gateway to the community beyond, LandmarkLincolnPark.org requests the City of Chicago to grant this district Landmark status. Preservation Chicago fully supports this community-based effort and goal.


Additional Reading


Chicago Public Schools Proposes to Close Historic Harper High School
 
 Harper High School, 6520 S. Wood Street, Photo Credit by DNAinfo


Due to plummeting enrollment, Chicago Public Schools announced a proposal to consolidate four Englewood High Schools into a single new building.  The new building would be located at the site for Paul Robeson High School at 6835 S. Normal Blvd.  The plan was created in partnership with the Englewood Community Action Council and has been informed by extensive surveying of community stakeholders. 

Council co-chairwoman Dori Collins said Robeson would be an ideal location "mainly because of the campus it sits on and the square footage." (Watson, DNA, 4/20/17)

The Englewood Community Action Council recognizes the value of the historic Harper School building at 6520 S. Wood Street and has advocated for its repurposing.

"We know that's a beautiful, historic facility," Collins said. "It's a fantastic structure, so why get rid of it?" (Watson, DNA, 4/20/17)

Preservation Chicago considers Harper High School to be
an outstanding historic school building that should be protected.  It is similar in style to by Dwight H. Perkins designed Grover Cleveland Elementary School in the Irving Park community.


Additional Reading


Chicago Public School Reverses Direction and Sells School Building for School Use
 
 Courtenay Language Arts Center, 1726 W. Berteau Ave, Photo Credit by ChicagoCityscape.com


The Chicago Board of Education approved the sale of the shuttered CPS Courtenay Language Arts Center in Ravenswood at 1726 W. Berteau Ave.  It will be purchased by the German International School of Chicago for $5.3 million.

At the time of closure, CPS stated that a charter school use or residential development would not be considered for this site. 

The German International School was established in 2007 and has been operating from the building at 1447 W. Montrose Ave. This educational nonprofit provides an English and German immersive dual-language education to over 100 students.

Preservation Chicago desires each of the shuttered historic school buildings to be repurposed.  We wrote a letter of support to reuse this building for an educational institution.  Educational uses are a natural fit for school buildings, so Preservation Chicago applauds the Chicago Board of Education's decision to sell to the German International School.



Additional Reading


140-Year Old Hermon Baptist Church Saved!
 
 Hermon Baptist Church at 1754 N. Clark Street, Photo Credit by DNAinfo

After years of uncertainty, the modest red-brick Hermon Baptist Church at 1754 N. Clark Street in Old Town is going to become the new home of Giordano Dance Chicago.   The 54-year old arts organization, which boasts of being "America's original jazz dance company," plans to renovate the historic building to accommodate rehearsals and administrative space.

Michael McStraw, executive director of Giordano Dance Chicago, credited "the generosity of an anonymous individual donor" with expediting the sale.
 
The building had been on the market for years and multiple offers from developers intent on replacing the church building with a high-rise had failed due to opposition from the community.

Preservation Chicago is thrilled to see a good preservation outcome for this very early historic church building with fascinating ties to Chicago's African-American history.  "Named after a mountain outside Jerusalem, Hermon Baptist was founded by 13 African-American domestic workers who cooked and cleaned for Chicago's Gold Coast residents. Tired of traveling to the South Side for church services, they launched Hermon." (Bloom, DNA, 7/22/16)

Preservation Chicago believes that this is yet another example of how the arts and cultural organizations can repurpose and preserve former churches and religious buildings for generations to come.


Additional Reading



 Highly Successful "House with the Keyhole Windows" Preservation Circle Event Explored Past, Present and Future of the Gold Coast and Dearborn Parkway
 
House with the Keyhole Windows, 1325 N. Dearborn Parkway, Photo Credit by Adam Natenshon

Cultural Historian Tim Samuelson captivated an intimate gathering of Preservation Chicago's "Preservation Circle" Members, with history and colorful stories regarding the history of Chicago, the Gold Coast, Dearborn Parkway and the 1325 N. Dearborn Parkway building, better known as the "House with the Keyhole Windows". 

The developer of the building, Lucius B. Mantonya, was a creative entrepreneur during Chicago's boom years of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  He was a "PR man" before the phrase had been coined and frequently advertised his stores with unique sales pitches in the Chicago newspapers of his day.  One of the early pioneers to follow Potter Palmer north of the river, Mantonya's exotic three-flat on Dearborn Parkway designed by architect Curd H. Gottig and completed in 1887, is a rare example of Moorish Revival in Chicago and was designed to attract sophisticated and upscale residents.  Among the more colorful tenants to have once called the "House with the Keyhole Windows" home were family members of the Ringling family of Ringling Brothers Circus fame.

Ward Miller discussed several of the existing Gold Coast Historic Landmark Districts and surprised many with fact that many of the glorious historic homes and buildings on State and Dearborn Parkways and adjacent streets have no landmark protection whatsoever.  The commitment of neighbors and owners, and the ability to generate income from multi-unit buildings has helped to keep Dearborn Parkway largely intact and preserved, but with mounting development pressures, now is right time to take action regarding a formal Landmark District.

Preservation Chicago wishes to express a special thanks to Tim Samuelson, Mel and Janet Smith, Nancy Joyce, and Cathie Bond for making this wonderful event possible.

To find out more about the Preservation Circle and upcoming Preservation Circle events, please contact Ward Miller at 773-398-6432 or Cathie Bond at 773-334-8800.

Additional Reading


 Chicago Architecture Foundation Opens "On the Edge" Exhibit
 
"Grand Lattices," Rendering Credit by Kwong Von Glinow Design Office

The Chicago Architecture Foundation is hosting a temporary exhibit in collaboration with the Chicago Architectural Club (CAC) to showcase the CAC's annual Chicago Prize competition winners. This year's competition, "On the Edge", called for proposals to transform Chicago's waterfront. Architects, planners, artists, and visionaries sent in ideas for a lakefront that would be mindful of both the natural environment and the recreational/economic opportunities that Chicago's location provides.

The idea for this year's competition was inspired by conflicting viewpoints surrounding Lake Shore Drive. Lake Shore Drive is widely considered to be one of the most scenic urban drives in the world. On the other hand, the road creates a dramatic divide between the city and the waterfront. This divide limits pedestrian access to Chicago's waterfront parkland.
 
The "On the Edge" exhibit features the competition's winner, Kwong Von Glinow Design Office, as well as two honorable mentions. The winning entry, entitled "Grand Lattices", envisions a Lake Shore Drive that invites pedestrians into the median between the northbound and southbound lanes. Steel frame structures allow pedestrians crossing under the street to climb up and view the city and water from elevated platforms.

The Chicago Architectural Club, founded in 1885, has a long-standing tradition of celebrating the unique urban landscape of Chicago, as well as challenging new architects and designers to keep generating exciting ideas. "On the Edge" will be on display in the first-floor atrium of the Chicago Architecture Foundation (224 S. Michigan Ave.) through August.




Preservation Chicago is an activist organization that advocates for the preservation of historic architecture, neighborhoods and urban spaces throughout the city of Chicago.