POTENTIAL WIN: Former Standard Club Building Sold to Hotel Developer
"Depending on your age, you can stroll through downtown Chicago and see a lot of things that aren’t there anymore.
"For high society, there’s been a culling of places where the well-off and well-connected congregate in good taste. Gone are membership venues such as the Chicago Athletic Association, refashioned as...
WIN: Clarendon Park Community Center Renovation Approved by City Council (Chicago 7 2015)
"City Council has approved a funding package including $10 million in TIF for the renovation plan of Clarendon Park Community Center at 4501 N Clarendon Avenue in Uptown. Located in Clarendon Park, the community center is located at the intersection of N. Clarendon Avenue and W. Sunnyside Avenue. The...
WIN: G.A.R. Rotunda Restoration Complete
Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Rotunda at the Chicago Cultural Center, 1897, Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, 78 E Washington St. Photo Credit: Colin Boyle / Block Club Chicago
Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Rotunda at the Chicago Cultural Center, 1897, Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, 78 E...
WIN: Monumental Baptist Church’s Preliminary Landmark Designation Approved
Monumental Baptist Church, 1899, Patton, Fisher, and Miller, 729 E. Oakwood Boulevard in Bronzeville. Photo Credit: Eric Allix Rogers
"Monumental Baptist Church is one step closer to receiving landmark status.
"The 103-year-old church at 729 E. Oakwood Blvd. received a preliminary recommendation from the landmark commission earlier this month. The...
WIN: The Forum Receives $1 Million Restoration Grant from Andrew M. Mellon Foundation
"Efforts to revive Bronzeville’s historic Forum just received a $1 million boost.
"The Andrew M. Mellon Foundation awarded the grant through its Humanities in Place program this month. The money will support the development of arts and cultural heritage spaces inside The Forum, 318-24 E. 43rd St.
"Bernard Loyd, president of...
POTENTIAL WIN: Helstein House Suggested for Chicago Landmark Consideration by Preservation Chicago
"The Bertrand Goldberg-designed Helstein House at 58th Street and Blackstone Avenue could be in line for a city landmark designation, as nonprofit Preservation Chicago formally suggested it be nominated at the March 29 meeting of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks.
"The group said that the residence at 5806 S. Blackstone...
WIN: Preservation Chicago Leads and Coordinates Effort to Suggest 15 New Chicago Landmarks
Epworth United Methodist Church suggested for Chicago Landmark Status by Ward Miller of Preservation Chicago. Image credit: Helena @HD_documentor
St. Martin of Tours Church suggested for Chicago Landmark Status by Max Chavez of Preservation Chicago. Image credit: Helena @HD_documentor
On March 29, 2022, Preservation Chicago lead the effort to...
WIN: 226 W. Jackson Receives Class L as part of its Renovation and Hotel Adaptive Reuse
"The Commission on Chicago Landmarks has approved the final certification for tax incentives for the Chicago & North Western Railway Office Building at 226 W Jackson Boulevard in the heart of downtown The Loop. The historical building recently went through a full rehab converting it into a dual-flag Hilton...
WIN: AIA Chicago and Preservation Chicago Create “Early Chicago Skyscrapers” Video to Advance UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation Proposal
There is strong support to designate “Early Chicago Skyscrapers” as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A UNESCO World Heritage Site designation would further recognize the Chicago's contributions to the built environment and to increase education regarding these architecturally significant structures. Other sites nominated include Civil Rights Sites, Native American...
WIN: Muddy Waters House Receives $250,000 Adopt-a-Landmark Renovation Funds
"The Commission on Chicago Landmarks voted unanimously during its March 3 meeting to award the Muddy Waters House, 4339 S. Lake Park Ave., with a $250,000 grant for exterior renovations from its Adopt-a-Landmark Fund. This award follows last October's designation of the North Kenwood home of legendary blues musician...
WIN: Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley House Receives $250,000 Adopt-a-Landmark Renovation Funds
We’re thrilled that, after all these years of advocacy, the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley home will be landmarked. Preservation Chicago played an essential role in coordinating all the stakeholders and ensuring that all the pieces were in place to allow the process to successfully move forward.
Preservation Chicago has...
WIN: North Lawndale Sears Sunken Garden to Be Restored
"A century-old garden on the West Side that deteriorated over the years is being restored to its historic grandeur thanks to a community-led initiative.
"In the early 1900s, the Sears, Roebuck and Co. campus was the crown jewel of North Lawndale. Hidden within the stern Classical Revival-style buildings sprawled across...
WIN: Former West Pullman School Wins Driehaus Foundation Adaptive Reuse Award
"One of the schools closed during the mass school closings of 2013 has found new life as a home for older people — and it’s retained some of the flavor of its school days, including the chalkboards.
"The West Pullman Elementary School — a historic landmark whose three buildings were...
WIN: Roof Repairs Underway at Glessner House Thanks to City of Chicago Adopt-a-Landmark Funds
"The Glessner House was built in 1887. What manufacturing magnate John J. Glessner imagined as a cozy, inviting home was seen as an eyesore to neighbors underwhelmed by its curb appeal. Built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style — a mixture of 11th and 12th century French, Spanish and Italian...
WIN: Thompson Center Sale For Renovation Finalized
"Less than four months after Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a development team would take over the beleaguered James R. Thompson Center in the Loop, the governor’s office on Thursday announced a purchase and sale agreement has been finalized.
"In December, Pritzker chose a proposal from a group led by Michael...
WIN: Shuttered Overton Elementary School to be Adaptively Reused as Community Center
"Two Bronzeville projects to improve food access and environmental sustainability are moving forward as part of a city program to support developments near public transit.
"Food Matters and the Overton Center for Excellence were among 11 community projects that received grants in the city’s Equitable Transit Oriented Development pilot program...
WIN: Humboldt Park Methodist Church to be Adaptively Reused as Affordable Housing With Federal Funds
"A nonprofit developer is getting $2 million in federal funds to convert a Logan Square church into affordable apartments.
"LUCHA was one of 10 developers and community organizations awarded funding from Congress with support from Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, according to a news release.
"The funds will be used to convert...
WIN: Cook County Land Bank Authority Celebrates 1,000th Renovated Home
"Cook County officials celebrated a milestone Wednesday morning on the West Side with the 1,000th renovated home as part of a county-run program.
"The before-and-after pictures are remarkable. The home at 3838 West Adams Street in the West Garfield Park neighborhood was once abandoned and sitting in disrepair.
"It sat vacant...
WIN: Muddy Waters House Receives $250,000 Adopt-a-Landmark Renovation Funds
"The Commission on Chicago Landmarks voted unanimously during its March 3 meeting to award the Muddy Waters House, 4339 S. Lake Park Ave., with a $250,000 grant for exterior renovations from its Adopt-a-Landmark Fund. This award follows last October's designation of the North Kenwood home of legendary blues musician...
POTENTIAL WIN: Former Standard Club Building Sold to Hotel Developer
"The real estate investor that bought a distressed Streeterville hotel last year has purchased another downtown property in need of a jolt of life: The Standard Club building in the Loop. A venture of real estate investor Remo Polselli last week bought the 11-story building at 320 S. Plymouth...
WIN: Covent Hotel Renovation for Permanent Supportive Housing Approved by City Council
"A plan to devote city funds toward rehabbing a single-room occupancy building into permanent supportive housing in Lincoln Park is scheduled for a City Council vote Wednesday.
"The council’s Committee on Finance signed off on an agreement Thursday for the city to provide up to $5 million in multifamily loan...
WIN: Clarendon Park Community Center Renovation Approved by City Council (Chicago 7 2015)
"City Council has approved a funding package including $10 million in TIF for the renovation plan of Clarendon Park Community Center at 4501 N Clarendon Avenue in Uptown. Located in Clarendon Park, the community center is located at the intersection of N. Clarendon Avenue and W. Sunnyside Avenue. The...
WIN: Congress Theater Redevelopment Plan Heading for City Council Approval
Congress Theater, 1926, Fridstein and Company for Lubliner and Trinz, 2135 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Photo Credit: Debbie Mercer
Congress Theater, 1926, Fridstein and Company for Lubliner and Trinz, 2135 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Photo Credit: Debbie Mercer
"A plan to free up a big chunk of city funding for the long-delayed redevelopment...
WIN: Preliminary Landmark Approved for Monumental Baptist Church
"The Commission on Chicago Landmarks has approved a preliminary landmark recommendation for the Monumental Baptist Church. Located at 729 E. Oakwood Boulevard in Bronzeville, the church was originally built in 1899 by architects Patton, Fisher, and Miller.
"Exhibiting a staggering five landmark criteria, the building meets Criterion 1 - Value...
WIN: Landmarks Commission Honors the Best Chicago Preservation Projects of 2021
"The Commission on Chicago Landmarks today honored 12 exceptional development projects at the 2021 'Preservation Excellence Awards,' including the restoration of Union Station, the adaptive reuse of the former Cook County Hospital, the rehabilitation of two 19th century homes in the Old Edgebrook District, and the adaptive reuse of...
POTENTIAL WIN: Foreclosed Jackson Park Highlands Home at 6757 S. Cregier Ave Sold
"In a South Shore landmark district, a once-grand house with clay tile roof and the remains of a Spanish-inspired interior, vacant for years and recently foreclosed, is for sale to someone who can take on a thorough rehabilitation project.
"The brick and stone exterior is in relatively good condition, but...
WIN: Chicago Works Community Challenge Awards Seven City Grants Out of 500 Proposals
"Seven projects to improve public spaces across Chicago will receive up to $1.5 million each in city grants as part of the Chicago Works Community Challenge.
"The $10 million initiative, launched in 2021, supports upgrades to parks, libraries and outdoor facilities at public schools. The city received nearly 500 submissions,...
WIN: State of Illinois Chooses Renovation Over Demolition for the Thompson Center (Chicago 7 2016, 2018, 2019 & 2020)
“Governor Pritzker has the opportunity, after years of neglect by his predecessors, to lead through the sale of the Thompson Center by giving it new life.
"Repurposing the building the right way could go beyond what the building ever was, making it better, more public, and a place where you...
WIN: Historic Façade at former Chicago Printmakers Collaborative at 4640 N. Western Ave to be Restored as Part of New Development
"A plan to convert a former commercial building into a mixed-use project is advancing after demo permits were issued for the one-story building set to be replaced by a new addition. Located at 4640 N. Western Ave, the existing structure rises directly south of the CTA Brown Line tracks...
WIN: Maxim’s Art Nouveau Interior to be Restored and Reopened as the Astor Club
"After 22 years as a city-run event space, the legendary interior that once housed Maxim’s de Paris restaurant inside the Gold Coast’s Astor Tower will be revived as a private neighborhood-centered social club.
"The City Council Wednesday approved the $680,000 sale of the former restaurant to a couple who lives...
WIN: The Terminal Lands Quantum Computer Chip Tenant for former Locomotive Headlight Factory at 1334 N. Kostner Ave.
"Final touches begin to take shape on the first phase of a new office development at 1334 N. Kostner Avenue in Humboldt Park. Dubbed The Terminal, the project is the redevelopment of the old Pyle National Company manufacturing plant which had sat mostly dormant for many years, and is...
WIN: $60 Million Renovation Planned for Merchandise Mart
"Less than 10 years after the Merchandise Mart was crowned as the epicenter of Chicago's tech scene, the historic Art Deco property is launching a major makeover to try to regain its shine.
"Even before COVID-19 hammered demand for downtown workspace, the owner of the hulking 3.7 million-square-foot building watched...
WIN: Glessner House Receives Adopt-A-Landmark Funds
"Preservation Chicago strongly supports the use of City’s Adopt-A-Landmark funds for both roof and exterior repairs to Chicago’s John J. Glessner House and Museum, located at 1800 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago.
"The Glessner House, is one of three projects by noted architect, Henry Hobson Richardson, constructed in Chicago, and the...
WIN: Little Village Arch Landmarked
"Strong. Sturdy. A broad base.
"This is how Ald. Michael Rodriguez describes the iconic Little Village arch. It’s also how he describes his community.
"'I think it represents the strength of the community,' Rodriguez said of the arch. 'I think it represents the vitality of the community and the beautiful culture...
WIN: Seth Warner House Landmarking Advances to City Council
Seth Warner House, 1869, 631 N. Central Ave. Preliminary Chicago Landmark Designation Report. Image Credit: City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development/caption]
"The Austin neighborhood’s oldest house is up for Chicago landmark status. The Seth Warner House, built in 1869 at 631 N. Central Ave., has weathered a few...
WIN: Ludlow Typograph Company Building Receives Landmark Designation Recommendation
"The Commission on Chicago Landmarks approved a final recommendation of landmark designation for the Ludlow Typograph Company Building, built in 1913 and designed by Alfred Alschuler. The building at 2028 N. Clybourn is part of the rich industrial history of the North Branch."(Chicago DPD)
"Meeting four different criteria, the first...
WIN: South Chicago YMCA to be Renovated for Affordable Senior Housing
"The South Chicago community joined with Mayor Lightfoot, U.S. Representative Robin Kelly, and 10th Ward Alderwoman Susan Sadlowski Garza to celebrate the formal opening of a renovated senior affordable apartment building and its new community center in a building preserved by two Chicago nonprofits.
"Built 93 years ago for the...
WIN: Invest South/West to Repurpose Vintage Washington Park Streets and Sanitation Building as Culinary Incubator
"A community kitchen is in the works for a well-known South Side food desert. Soul City Kitchens is a $4.6 million plan to give culinary entrepreneurs access to commercial kitchen space to build their businesses and boost the local economy.
"Part of the city’s Invest South/West initiative, the kitchen is...
WIN: Francis Scott Key Public School in Austin to be Restored and Reused as The Field School (Chicago 7 2015)
"Located in the South Austin neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, the building was originally home to the Francis Scott Key Public School. Built in 1907, the building was designed by Dwight Perkins when he was the chief architect of the Chicago Public Schools.
"The Key School originally served 300 students in...
POTENTIAL WIN: Efforts Underway to Designate Bronzeville a ‘National Heritage Area’
"It’s been nearly a year since Rep. Bobby Rush introduced a bill that would designate Bronzeville a 'national heritage area,' an official designation he and others community leaders hope will draw more tourists to the historic neighborhood.
"And with Rush announcing his impending retirement from Congress, he is more determine...
POTENTIAL WIN: Lakeside Center Bid Emerges as Front-Runner in Race for New Chicago Casino (Chicago 7 2016 & 2021)
"Key staff in Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration might concentrate on just two rules: Keep it simple, and keep it accessible. Those two factors will decide how quickly the city and its threadbare pension funds can start seeing revenue, and whether large crowds will hit the gaming positions and entertainment...
WIN: Judge Orders Extensive Emergency Stabilization Work Including New Roof for Laramie State Bank
"In the coming years, the iconic Laramie State Bank building will be transformed into a museum, a business incubator and a café. But before that can begin, the building needs emergency repairs to protect its historical architecture from weather damage and deterioration from years of deferred maintenance.
"The redevelopment of...
WIN: Lincoln Park Zoo Kovler/Pepper Lion House Renovation Beautifully Blends Historic Building and Creative Innovation
"Goettsch Partners has announced the completion of the Pepper Family Wildlife Center, a $41 million renovation, restoration, and expansion of the historic lion house at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo.
"The new 54,000-square-foot facility nearly doubles the size of the previous lion habitat, providing increased transparency and a more immersive experience...
WIN: Congresswoman Robin Kelly Supports a “True Preservation Approach” for Promontory Point in Letter to US Army Corps
"Rep. Robin Kelly (2nd) wrote in an October letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that she supports a 'true preservation approach' for repairing the limestone revetment at Promontory Point.
"'The Point's 2018 listing on the National Register of Historic Places mandates this approach and protects it as the...
WIN: Momentum Growing For Central Park Theater Restoration
"Attempting to restore some of the city’s most architecturally significant but severely rundown theaters can be a dramatic affair.
"At the Uptown Theatre, Fairpoint Development backed out of the high-profile project led by Jam Productions that garnered $40 million in public money and enthusiastic support from elected officials. The Congress...
WIN: Double Door Renovation of Wilson Theater Building Moves Forward
"Double Door is working toward a debut next year in its Uptown home, more than four years after the beloved rock club was evicted from its longtime Wicker Park location. The goal is to open 'within the year,' and work is underway transforming the historical Wilson Theater building at...
WIN: Neighbors Pool Resources to Buy and Renovate Historic South Shore Apartment Building
"More than two dozen South Shore neighbors pooled their funds to buy and renovate a blighted apartment building over the last year, offering a model for the neighborhood’s growth they say can benefit existing residents. The cooperatively owned 7051 LLC bought 7051 S. Bennett Ave. for $600,000 in November...
WIN: Workers Cottage Initiative Grows To More Chicago Neighborhoods
"As developers continue to raze workers cottages for single-family homes and condos in gentrifying Logan Square and other parts of the city, preservationists are embarking on a project to raise awareness about the historical yet overlooked homes and to shape policies that would save them from demolition.
"Leaders with Preservation...
WIN: Long Neglected Iowa Building in Jackson Park to Be Restored
"City officials presented initial plans for renovation of the Iowa Building and construction of new baseball fields and a dog-friendly area (DFA) in Jackson Park at a Nov. 29 virtual meeting hosted by Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) and the Chicago Park District (CPD),
"The three projects, which are scheduled to...
WIN: Final Landmark Recommendation for the Seth Warner House
Seth Warner House, 1869, 631 N. Central Ave. Preliminary Chicago Landmark Designation Report. Image Credit: City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development
"The oldest house in the Austin neighborhood is on its way to becoming an official Chicago landmark. The 152-year-old Seth Warner house located at 631 N. Central Ave....