June 2014 In This Issue 'Eagle Building' Threatened 'Americana Deco' Eagle Building Under Threat St. Dominic In The Crosshairs CTA Makes Preservation The Plan McArthur House Sells Erica Ruggiero Joins PC In The News Quick Links Register Now About Us Related Topics Preservation Chicago has received word this month that an "Americana Deco" orange rated building 3845 3835 N. Broadway in Lake View is currently under threat of demolition. Formerly occupied by a bank and a Woolworth, the building has a unique pattern of stylized repeating eagles rendered in terra cotta. A developer has purchased the building along with others in the vicinity and has indicated an interest in demolition of the building for redevelopment of the site, but has not yet applied for a permit. There is great concern over what this development may entail and whether the building's terra cotta would remain intact. Ald. James Cappleman has reached out to Preservation Chicago seeking support for a potential landmark designation of the site. Preservation Chicago has been closely monitoring the situation related to this building since plans for redevelopment were first circulated late last year. Those initial plans showed the "Eagle Building" intact as a part of the development. You can see those plans here. St. Dominic In The Crosshairs 1/5
J The long vacant St. Dominic Catholic Church, an orange rated building by William Brinkmann, 1911, at 357 W Locust St, Chicago. The church, which is still owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, which was shuttered in 1990, has been standing vacant, but secured ever since. During the annual Chicago 7 press conference this year, Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, mentioned St. Dominic in the context of St. Adalbert in Pilsen, noting that these great buildings were under threat. News came this month that the Archdiocese has contracted to sell the property to a developer for a condominium development. If zoning is approved, the building will fall to the wrecking ball. Preservation Chicago would like to see the building preserved or perhaps incorporated into development at the site. Read a story on the development here and here and read Lee Bey's post on the church here. CTA Makes Preservation The Plan On Blue Line The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has released the renderings for its redevelopment and restoration work as part of the "Your New Blue" project. The CTA's plans, which are still in progress for many stations along the Blue Line, currently contemplate a historic restoration of the California and Damen stations, which are the last remaining stations that are in original condition from the line's 1895 construction. They also plan a sensitive restoration of the Western station, which was remodeled in an Art Deco style. See and read more at the following stations at Damen, California and Western and the rest of the Your New Blue project here. And read a report from DNAinfo here. 2/5
Kenwood's McArthur House Sells The historic Frank Lloyd Wright McArthur House in Kenwood has officially sold. The building sold at a discount of its asking price, for $925,000.00. A previous proposal had contemplated a historic renovation of the McArthur house and its neighbor, Wright's Blossom house. Under that plan they would have been operated as bed and breakfast inns. Read more on the sale here and here. 3/5
Erica Ruggiero Joins Preservation Chicago J Preservation Chicago is pleased to welcome its first ever director of Advocacy, Erica Ruggiero. Ruggiero hails from Florida and attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she received a Master of Science in Historic Preservation. She interned at the Chicago Park District and our sister organization, Landmarks Illinois. "I'm very excited to be working at Preservation Chicago," Ruggiero said. "The city has a tremendous architectural history and I'm happy to have an opportunity to make a positive impact." The director of Advocacy position is focused on community outreach and education. The new staff position is part of Preservation Chicago's strategic plan for growth developed out of board sessions late last year. Preservation Chicago In The News Topping our media appearances this month, Preservation Chicago Executive Director Ward Miller discussed downtown signage on Chicago Tonight this week. Watch that video here. More headlines: Developer Seeks Apartments For Gethsemance Missionary Baptist Site Village Theater Renovation OKd by Landmarks Commission 4/5
Lucas Museum at McCormick Place? Preservation Chicago is an activist organization that advocates for the preservation of historic architecture, neighborhoods and urban spaces throughout the city of Chicago. Forward this email This email was sent to info@preservationchicago.org by info@preservationchicago.org Update Profile/Email Address Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe Privacy Policy. Preservation Chicago 4410 N. Ravenswood Chicago IL 60640 5/5