The Quarterly Journal of Preservation Chicago
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EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY DEMOLISHED PAGE 9 the VOICE THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF PRESERVATION CHICAGO ISSUE No 6 Fall 2008 Grant Park (Daley Bicentennial Plaza) Site of Proposed Chicago Children’s Museum THE GREAT CHICAGO LAND GRAB VOICEthe PRESERVATION CHICAGO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Board of Directors FALL, 2008 Bill Neuendorf President Jack Spicer Vice President New Leadership Team to Guide Preservation Chicago Pam Jameson Treasurer Debbie Dodge Secretary It seems only yesterday that a small but determined group of Chicago residents united Greg Brewer Exec. Comm. to protest the demolition of one of Chicago’s unique Victorian turret buildings. That Bart Lewin Exec. Comm. Gold Coast building was intended to be razed to make way for another chain drug Todd Martin Exec. Comm. store. The building was eventually saved and incorporated into the design of the Jeremi Bryant Board new store. From these humble roots in 2001, Preservation Chicago has grown into a Bob Clarke Board vibrant community-based organization that is a respected voice on matters of historic Sandy Gartler Board preservation and neighborhood development. Vana Kikos Board Mike Moran Board During the past years, the advocacy efforts of the volunteer-based organization Nina Newhouser Board Craig Norris Board have increased significantly. Recently, the Board of Directors took steps to better Scott Rappe Board advocate on behalf of our members by hiring Jonathan Fine as part-time Executive Andy Schcolnick Board Director and Stacey Pfingsten as part-time Communications Manager. Jonathan, a Laura Stigler-Marier Board founding member and the organization’s former president, continues to lead the day- to-day operations of Preservation Chicago and serves as the primary media contact and spokesman. An architect by training, Jonathan brings an unparalleled degree of Staff expertise and passion to the organization. Jack Spicer takes over for Preservation Jonathan Fine Chicago’s outgoing Vice President Mike Moran, also a founding member. Executive Director After having been a Preservation Chicago member during my years in graduate Stacey Pfingsten school and serving on the board for nearly three years, I was elected to be President Communications Manager of the organization in May 2008. The creative re-use of historic buildings turned into a passion during my 15-plus years of involvement in the construction, design Contact us: and real estate development industry. Since I moved back to Chicago in 1991, I have 1016 North Oakley Boulevard Chicago, IL 60622 always been impressed with the feel and character of so many of the city’s diverse ph: 312.337.5500 neighborhoods. While the boom cycles of the real estate industry have changed many fax: 312.337.5500 of these neighborhoods, Chicago remains a highly desirable urban city that has a true www.preservationchicago.org character and sense of place. email: [email protected] EDITOR IN CHIEF: Jonathan Fine One thing that hasn’t changed is the mission – to advocate for the preservation of SENIOR EDITOR: Laura Stigler-Marier Chicago’s historic architecture and in essence, the preservation of Chicago’s proud ART DIRECTOR: Sandy Gartler COMMUNICATIONS MGR.: Stacey Pfingsten and diverse neighborhoods. The board, staff and membership remain committed to preserving and restoring Chicago’s unique built environment. From the brick PHOTO CREDITS: Cover: Debbie Dodge bungalows and greystone flats throughout the city to prominent icons in and around Page 3: John Holden the Loop, Preservation Chicago’s new leadership team is excited to carry the torch Page 4: Friends of Uptown and advocate for these structures that define the shape of the city for Chicagoans and Page 5: Lynn Becker and Debbie Dodge Page 6: Debbie Dodge the world. Page 7: Amanda Young Page 8: New Eastside Residents website Page 9: Grahm Balkany Page 10: Craig Norris, Jonathan Fine, Debbie Dodge, Stacey Pfingsten, Peter DeCamp, Lee Bey Page 11: Debbie Dodge Page 12: Debbie Dodge Bill Neuendorf © 2008 PRESERVATION CHICAGO All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is President, Preservation Chicago strictly prohibited. Preservation Chicago is a not-for-profit organization registered as a 501c3. 2 PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org UPTOWN HEADING UPSCALE hile Uptown has seen more than its fair share of unique andW historic architecture fall to the wrecking ball in recent decades, a collection of significant buildings surrounding the intersection of Broadway and Lawrence Avenue are happily getting new leases on life through major makeovers. Restoration work is nearing completion on two of the area’s most prominent buildings: the Spanish Baroque Uptown- 4750 N. Broadway (Before) Broadway Building at 4707 N. Broadway and the Riviera Theater office building at 4750 N. Broadway. The Uptown Broadway Building is Uptown’s most over-the-top celebration of terra cotta design. Built in 1927 and designed by Wal- ter Ahlschlager, the triangu- lar-shaped commercial and office building features a cornucopia of gray and 4750 N. Broadway (After) 4707 N. Broadway (Detail) yellow terra cotta columns, to Chicago. When the initial developer went bankrupt, the urns, animal heads, and human faces. A multi-million dollar project was taken over by the famed Balaban and Katz theater restoration that received millions in City TIF funds has been operators, who finished the interior of the theater in their undertaken by Thad Wong, one of the principals of the first project with the Rapp & Rapp architects, launching their real estate company @properties. long and famous collaboration. All of these buildings are part of the Uptown Square National Register District, which The property sits directly across the street from the was established in 2000 to help protect a collection development anchored by Uptown’s Border’s book store. of roughly four-dozen architecturally rich buildings which That development, completed in the early 2000’s, saw the radiate out along Broadway and Lawrence. The federal handsome restorations of two adjoining commercial buildings. designation made certain tax incentives for renovation (Sadly, the third building in the complex, the former Plymouth available for all the development. Hotel, was demolished as part of the redevelopment.) ON THE RIVIERA There are other signs of revitalization in the vicinity, especially the on-going rehab of the Aragon Ballroom at Though less dazzling architecturally, the Riviera office building 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. Gut rehabs of a four-story terra is an even more visible example of community restoration as it cotta building at the southwest corner of Broadway and sits right at the northwest corner of the heavily trafficked inter- Gunnison and two large vintage apartment buildings on the section of Broadway and Lawrence. For years, the red-brick north side of Lawrence between Winthrop and Kenmore and white terra cotta building was one of the biggest eye- have breathed new life into dilapidated residential structures. sores on the north side, as its initial elegance had long ago Still the biggest and most daunting challenge to the district is been hidden under a hideous blanket of sheet metal panels. the rehab of the long-dormant Uptown Theater. The property was purchased in July by Jam Productions chief Jerry Mick- The building had long sat largely empty. Until recent elson, who has suggested a full rehab – long pegged with a restoration began, a sign touting the failed 1983 mayoral price tag of between $40 million and $50 million – may require campaign of Bernard Epton had sat in one of its upper-floor a substantial investment from the government – a significant windows. The architect of the 1918 building is not known, challenge in these tight fiscal times. though it was developed in conjunction with the exterior shell of the adjacent Riviera Theatre, according to the AIA Guide –– John Holden CITIZENS ADVOCATING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF CHICAGO’S HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE 3 VOICEthe THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR THE UPTOWN: JAM PRODUCTIONS MAKES PURCHASE When it first opened in 1925, it was regarded as the epitome of Spanish Baroque style and the reigning queen of Chicago’s awe-inspiring theater palaces. The masterpiece of architects Rapp and Rapp, it seated 4,320, making it the world’s largest theater of the era. Struggling through a funding crisis in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, the landmark eventually closed its doors for good in 1981, remaining empty and allowed to freefall into a state of decay ever since. Uglier still was the feuding between various factions as to who would take ownership and lead the Uptown back to its glory days as a world-class entertainment venue. OUT OF A JAM While potential owners and the courts battled it out, the Uptown continued to deteriorate. In the meantime, the city’s Landmarks Commission had invested over $1 million in public funds to stabilize the terra cotta façade,and for over two decades, the local volunteer group, Friends of the Uptown Theatre, was doing all it could to care for the Uptown and keep it resuscitated – including having headed up the charge that resulted in the theater’s city and federal landmark designation. And now, we are all relieved to report that Jam Productions of Chicago has saved the day. “Friends of the Uptown” gather in front of the Uptown Theatre. YES, THERE WILL BE A THIRD ACT As of August 18, 2008, Jam founders and impresarios Crediting Friends of the Uptown and Alderman Mary Jerry Mickelson and Arny Granat have entered into Ann Smith (48th Ward) for being largely responsible for a partnership that has pledged $3.2 million to cover ensuring the Uptown’s future, he fully acknowledges the a second mortgage and exorbitant cost of the renovation – to the tune of $40 eliminate the interest of an million. Efforts to raise the money will be herculean, but investment group that held judging from Jam’s track record (they own the Riviera, the first mortgage.