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2017 Chicago 7 Most Endangered
Press Conference, March 1st at Noon!
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| Facade Detail_ Photo Credit by Eric Allix Rogers |
Preservation Chicago will announce its Chicago 7 Most Endangered Buildings List for 2017 this Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at Noon, in the Chicago Architecture Foundation's Lecture Hall, located off the lobby of the Railway Exchange Building, 224 S. Michigan Avenue.
Admission is free and all are welcome to attend!
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Historic Medic Building Art Deco Façade Promised to be Reused...Vanishes!
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| Medic Building Facade Photo Credit by Google |
As a Preservation Chicago 7 Most Endangered in 2013, the orange-rated Medic Building has long been a concern for the Preservation Community. Located at 3201 N. Ashland, it was a highly intact and stunning example of neighborhood Art Deco design. After a planned new construction Target fell through, a large-scale Whole Foods redevelopment lead by Novak Construction Company began in 2014.
As part of the negotiated redevelopment plan that allowed for the demolition of the historic building, Novak Construction made assurances that the Art Deco facade of the Medic building and "all of the significant ornament" which included over 100 pieces, would be carefully removed, stored on-site, and reused in the new development."
Specifically, Novak Construction promised that large pieces of the ornate carved limestone facade would be reinstalled as full assemblies inside the new Whole Foods atrium. Preservation Chicago staff observed and photo documented the removal of the critical elements of the historic façade during a one-week period in 2014.
Fast forward two years and the redevelopment is complete with a shiny new Whole Foods Market anchor tenant. Last summer prior to project completion, Crain's reported that Novak was looking to sell the property for an expected $70 Million. With ample profits, there should be more than sufficient funds to support a beautiful installation of the historic ornament which have beautified this neighborhood for over 80 years.
However, strikingly absent from the now completed redevelopment is the Art Deco Medic building façade. None of the historic façade was reused as part of the new façade. None of the historic façade elements were incorporated into the atrium of the Whole Foods. The only remnants of the once stunning, historic Art Deco Medic Building façade appears to be bits of chevron ornament mounted onto a knee-wall which will serve as a sidewalk bench. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Medic Building's historic elements are being quietly marketed for sale!
Preservation Chicago is HIGHLY disappointed by this outcome, is seeking more information regarding the circumstances, and would like to see the initial promises regarding this development honored. Furthermore, Preservation Chicago would like to see additional legal and financial tools deployed in future developments to ensure and enforce that promises to communities, aldermanic offices, and city officials are kept and historic building materials handled per the agreement.
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Johnson Publishing Building to Receive
Chicago Landmark Designation!
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| Johnson Publishing Company Building_ Photo Credit by Ward Miller |
The Johnson Publishing Company Building at 820 S. Michigan Avenue has formally entered the official Chicago Landmark designation process. Completed in 1971, this modernist 11-story mid-rise was built by "legendary African-American entrepreneur John H. Johnson, who made his fortune as the publisher of magazines including Ebony and Jet." The building served as the headquarters for Johnson Publishing, one of the largest black-owned businesses in the nation.
The building was designed by John Warren Moutoussamy, an architect who became the first African American partner in a large architectural firm, Dubin, Dubin, Black & Moutoussamy. During his time at Illinois Institute of Technology, he studied with Mies van der Rohe. The building was the first and remains the only high-rise in downtown Chicago designed by an African American. The spectacular, exuberant, and extraordinary original interiors were created by Arthur Elrod and William Raiser.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, called the building an "epicenter of Black history and culture."
"It was a beacon-literally a beacon of hope. We knew that building was ours." said artist Raymond Anthony Thomas, a former Johnson Publishing art director who worked in the building for 23 years. (Ebony, Lee Bey, 2/1/17)
Preservation Chicago testified on behalf of this important and significant building and is thrilled that it is being honored, celebrated and protected with a Landmark Designation.
The building was purchased by Columbia College Chicago from Johnson Publications in 2010. The intended conversion a library and student center lost momentum. In 2016, Columbia began marketing the building for sale. The landmark designation will both provide protection to the historic structure as well as provide beneficial tax credits for the eventual adaptive reuse of the building after the future sale.
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New Video from Save the Shrine!
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| The Shrine photo credit by Eric Allix Rogers |
Bringing together 17 Chicago-area businesses, Catholic organizations, and architectural and preservation organizations, in support of the Shrine, this new campaign offers a wide array of thank-you gifts for donations, for a range of giving levels from $30 to $500,000.
Now stabilized and safe from demolition, the Shrine is owned by an independent Catholic entity, the Institute of Christ the King, and restoration work has been progressing since May 2016. In a little over a year, a remarkable $1.79 million of restoration funds have been raised to restore the Shrine. However, additional support is required as the new roof and securing the building from the elements is estimated at a cost of $3 million.
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Ward Miller, Preservation Chicago's Executive Director, was Featured Speaker at Annual Hyde Park Historical Society Dinner
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| Bouton Residence_ 4812 S. Woodlawn Ave_ 1873_ Photo Credit by Eric Allix Rogers |
Ward Miller, Preservation Chicago's Executive Director, was the featured speaker last Saturday at the annual Hyde Park Historical Society Dinner.
Ward's presentation was titled "Reflections on Hyde Park: Past, Present & Future." His presentation covered the history of lost Hyde Park buildings, pre-fire Hyde Park houses, the impact of urban renewal, and an exploration of benefits from potential Hyde Park Chicago Landmark Districts.
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National Trust for Historic Preservation
Chicago Field Office Job Opportunity
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| River View_ Photo Credit by Eric Allix Rogers |
A great opportunity is available for a preservation advocate at the Chicago Field Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Chicago Field Office of the National Trust plays an important and active leadership role in the protection and preservation of Chicago's historic architecture.
reservation Chicago is thrilled that it is increasing its capacity to achieve its mission. The requirements of the position are included below.
"The Field Officer is a persuasive public-interest advocate who tenaciously pursues strategic opportunities, in public forums and private settings, to protect and preserve important historic places for the benefit of human communities.
The Field Officer advocates to save historic places by applying specialized areas of professional expertise for the protection of nationally significant historic places through our National Treasures Program, assisting in the raising of funds for National Treasure projects, and consulting as needed on related programs within the Preservation Division.
The Field Officer spends approximately 70% of their time on National Treasures work, including: identifying potential National Treasure projects, crafting and implementing strategic advocacy plans, and ensuring the success of selected multi-year Treasure projects as a project manager or team member.
The Field Officer also is responsible for applying the National Trust's intervention criteria to non-National Treasure projects to recommend if it is appropriate for the organization to take action. When approved, the Field Officer takes direct action to save historic places outside of the National Treasures program." From the National Trust job posting.
More information and application details here.
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Preservation Chicago is an activist organization that advocates for the preservation of historic architecture, neighborhoods and urban spaces throughout the city of Chicago.
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