The 2009 Chicago 7

Richard Nickel House

This elegant Bucktown storefront building was owned by Richard Nickel, legendary architectural photographer and Chicago preservation pioneer. Until his death in 1972, it served as Nickel’s base for photography and salvage operations, where he documented the work of the pioneering architecture firm of Adler & Sullivan, whose legacy was rapidly being lost to demolition due to “urban renewal.” Ironically, his home, a building that played an important role in Nickel’s efforts to raise public awareness of Adler & Sullivan’s work, is itself threatened with demolition.

Preservation Chicago believes that the Richard Nickel House meets 3 criteria for Landmark consideration. To that end, Preservation Chicago nominated the Richard Nickel House for landmark designation at the December 2008 meeting of the Programs Committee, a subcommittee of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. This committee evaluates proposals for future landmarks and then forwards those recommendations to the entire commission. In addition, historical and architectural information has been provided to 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack in an effort to gain his support for designation.

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