Viewing all posts from the Bronzeville neighborhood

Preservation Chicago’s 2019 Chicago 7 Most Endangered Announced

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Thompson Center [Eric Allix Rogers/Chicago Patterns]

    Thompson Center [Eric Allix Rogers/Chicago Patterns]

Preservation Chicago released its annual Chicago 7 Most Endangered list today. Predictably, some long-simmering and contentious preservation fights made repeat appearances. The spaceship-like Thompson Center, now all but certain to be sold by the State of Illinois, once again makes the cut. This landmark of postmodernism faces an uncertain future regardless of ownership, but a sale might clear the way for demolition and replacement.

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2018 Retrospective for Chicago Historic Preservation

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1501 W 18th St. Part of Preliminary Recommendation for Pilsen District [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]

In years past, our yearly retrospective of architectural preservation in Chicago consisted of mostly losses with a few small wins. In 2018, however, a few significant victories changed the tone of how the city’s historic resources are maintained and preserved.

Some of same trends from years past continued in 2018: the loss of late 19th century Italianate homes and flats in near-NW side neighborhoods and Victorian cottages in places like Lakeview and Lincoln Park. Some of these erasures are stories of displacement, as long-term residents in older buildings are pushed out as developers erect expensive single-family homes and 2/3 flats in the place of existing buildings.

But on the plus side, two themes emerged in 2018: new landmarks and community action.

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Neighbors Launch Preservation Push in Bronzeville: Save Our Stable!

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As we reported in September, a long-vacant building designed by Holabird and Roche in Bronzeville is facing imminent demolition. On Tuesday night, a group of stakeholders and neighbors gathered to discuss the history of the building and chart out a vision for its rehabilitation.

The permit was issued in late October; time is quickly running out. But with the help of Preservation Chicago and Landmarks Illinois, the ad-hoc group has a plan and an online petition to save it.

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Facing Demolition: The Last Remaining Boston Store Stable

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Boston Company Stables [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]

UPDATE November 13th

The Boston Store stable building in Bronzeville is facing imminent demolition.

Neighbors are convening today at 6PM at 4245 King Dr to explore last minute options for preservation and learn about the history of the building. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Original article below.

A pending demolition permit indicates the last remaining Boston Store Stable building won’t get a chance for reuse. This building at 4340 S. Vernon in Bronzeville served as a horse stable and parcel station for the Boston Store, constructed around the same time (1906) as the company’s massive massive new department store at State and Madison.

Designed by the firm of Holabird and Roche, this unique historic structure is a link to another era.

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