National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin, How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional certification comments, entries, and narrative items on continuation sheets if needed (NPS Form 10-900a). 1. Name of Property historic name West Loop - LaSalle Street Historic District other names/site number 2. Location Roughly bounded by Wacker Drive, Wells Street, Van Buren Street street & number and Clark Street N/A not for publication N/A city or town Chicago vicinity state Illinois code IL county Cook code 031 zip code 60601-60604 60606, 60610 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination _ request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property _ meets _ does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant at the following level(s) of significance: national statewide local Signature of certifying official/Title Date State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. Signature of commenting official Date Title State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government 4. National Park Service Certification I hereby certify that this property is: entered in the National Register determined eligible for the National Register determined not eligible for the National Register removed from the National Register other (explain:) _________________ Signature of the Keeper Date of Action 1 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) West Loop - LaSalle Street Historic District Cook, Illinois Name of Property County and State 5. Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property (Check as many boxes as apply.) (Check only one box.) (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing X private building(s) 48 13 buildings X public - Local X district sites X public - State site 2 0 structures X public - Federal structure objects object 50 13 Total Name of related multiple property listing Number of contributing resources previously (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing) listed in the National Register N/A 9 6. Function or Use Historic Functions Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions.) (Enter categories from instructions.) COMMERCE/TRADE: business COMMERCE/TRADE: business COMMERCE/TRADE: financial institution COMMERCE/TRADE: financial institution COMMERCE / TRADE: professional COMMERCE / TRADE: professional GOVERNMENT: city hall GOVERNMENT: city hall GOVERNMENT: government office GOVERNMENT: government office TRANSPORTATION: rail-related TRANSPORTATION: rail-related TRANSPORTATION: road-related (vehicular) TRANSPORTATION: road-related (vehicular) (See continuation sheet) (See continuation sheet) 7. Description Architectural Classification Materials (Enter categories from instructions.) (Enter categories from instructions.) Skyscraper foundation: CONCRETE Art Deco walls: BRICK Beaux Arts STONE: Limestone Chicago roof: ASPHALT Classical Revival other: ALUMINUM Commercial Style CAST IRON (See continuation sheet) (See continuation sheet) 2 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) West Loop - LaSalle Street Historic District Cook, Illinois Name of Property County and State Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current physical appearance of the property. Explain contributing and noncontributing resources if necessary. Begin with a summary paragraph that briefly describes the general characteristics of the property, such as its location, setting, size, and significant features.) Summary Paragraph The West Loop - LaSalle Street Historic District is located on the west side of the Chicago Loop, and is centered on LaSalle Street, extending from the bridge over the Chicago River south to the Chicago Board of Trade Building on Jackson Boulevard. The district extends east and west to varying degrees, up to two blocks in either direction, and includes a total of approximately 70 acres, or roughly 16 square blocks. The district includes a total of 72 resources, which consists of 70 buildings and 2 structures. The buildings have a mix of private and public ownership and a range of uses. Primary uses are currently commercial with a strong presence of governmental uses and limited residential, religious, theater and hotel uses. Most buildings within the district were historically used for similar purposes, with a strong concentration of commercial and governmental buildings. Supplemental historic uses include religious buildings, and a theater and hotel. Structures within the district consist of the elevated train structure and station as well as the bridge over the river, all of which continue to be used for transportation. Most resources within the district retain their original appearance and the district as a whole possesses high integrity both in its overall streetscapes and its individual resources. Buildings within the district are typically of masonry construction and range from 1 to 49 stories. A majority of the buildings are high rises, with over half ranging between 10 and 25 stories and a smaller percentage above 25 stories. As this is a dense, urban district, buildings were generally built up to the sidewalks and many share party walls with adjacent buildings. Windows of the early buildings in the district were typically wood or steel and many buildings had storefront openings along the sidewalk facades. Later buildings, additions and remodeled facades feature curtain walls of glass, metal and composite materials. The buildings of the district were constructed in a range of architectural styles, including: Art Deco, Classical Revival, Chicago School, Romanesque Revival and International. Changes such as cornice removal, window replacement and storefront alterations have been made to varying degrees. However, despite changes, most historic resources continue to convey their historic appearance. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Narrative Description Resources within the district have been assigned numbers and are keyed to the attached district map. These numbers are referenced in the following text. The West Loop - LaSalle Street Historic District is located at the west side of Chicago’s downtown Loop, which is at the heart of Chicago’s central business district. The Loop was named for the elevated train track system that encircles the central portion of Chicago’s downtown before radiating out to other areas of the city. The district setting is intensely urban, located at the center of one of the largest cities in the U.S. The district extends from the LaSalle Street Bridge (#1) over the north branch of the Chicago River, south to the Board of Trade Building (#71) at the foot of LaSalle Street. The district is characterized by the canyon effect created along LaSalle Street by massive buildings built up to the sidewalk and maintaining a continuous facade line along the length of the street. This facade line is broken by new construction in limited locations at the north end of the district. However, the vista from the LaSalle Street Bridge is absolutely intact and is nicely framed by Classical and Art Deco styled buildings. Chicago’s downtown, like most of the city, was laid out along a rectilinear street grid. Streets within this district generally follow the established grid with one notable deviation. This occurs at the foot of LaSalle Street, where the street ends at Jackson Boulevard, forming a T intersection. Historically, LaSalle Street shifted half a block east at this point, creating a narrow, half block section at the foot of LaSalle Street. This deviation from the established grid allowed for the visual drama of the Board of Trade Building (#71) that forms the south termination of the LaSalle Street canyon. The block of LaSalle Street, between Jackson Boulevard on the north and Van Buren Street to the south, has been vacated and now serves as a plaza with pedestrian pass-through under a modern addition to the Board of Trade Building. 3 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) West Loop - LaSalle Street Historic District Cook, Illinois Name of Property County and State Downtown blocks average about 320-400 feet long and most are bisected