Ravenswood to Lose One of a Kind Victorian

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[John Morris/Chicago Patterns]

In Ravenswood at 4636 N. Paulina, a green gingerbread Victorian built in 1886 faces demolition. Featuring unique bargeboard trim and carved wood window hoods, this is a unique and exceptional loss for Chicago’s historic housing stock.

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The Value is in the Land: Lincoln Park Italianate Edition

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2145 N Fremont, released from Demolition Delay list over the summer [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]

Last month we looked at the history of Italianate cottages and flats in the near West/Northwest Side neighborhoods, and how they are getting torn down to make way for larger residences. While that story is relatively new for those neighborhoods, it’s almost a tradition in near North Side areas like Lincoln Park.

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The Value is in the Land: 1000 W. Monroe

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1000 W. Monroe, in March of this year [John Morris]

Almost a year ago a plan was unveiled for the corner of Monroe and Morgan in West Loop. It featured 12 luxury residences with a parking spot for each unit, and called for replacing a 6 unit building constructed in 1889.

Last week, demolition began on these 19th century twin Italianate three-flats to make way for the new condo building.

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The Value is in the Land: 1953 N. Hudson

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hudson [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]

hudson [John Morris/Chicago Patterns]

In our new series called The Value is in the Land, we’ll look at historic homes and buildings which face an uncertain future as a result of their high-value location.

The first entry is 1953 N. Hudson Avenue, in Lincoln Park (pictured above). This circa 1893 Italianate home sits on a street filled with garish jumbo houses recently built, with a few original homes remaining.

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