Fall 2007 - Preservation Chicago

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Check out our new section
“Profiles in Preservation”
PAGE 11
THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF PRESERVATION CHICAGO
ISSUE N o 4
FALL/WINTER 2007
NORTOWN THEATER - 1930
6320 N. Western Avenue
Architect: John E. O. Pridmore
CURTAINS! THE LOSS OF CHICAGO’S MOVIE HOUSES
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PRESERVATION CHICAGO
Board of Directors
Jonathan Fine
Michael Moran
Sharon Russell
Debbie Dodge
Todd Martin
Bill Neuendorf
Craig Norris
Jack Spicer
Laura Stigler-Marier
Brooke Williams Greg Brewer
Jeremi Bryant
Bob Clarke
Meghan Eagen
Sandy Gartler
Vana Kikos
Kim Mickelson
Nina Newhouser
Scott Rappe
Andy Schcolnick
Kimberlee Smith
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Exec. Comm.
Exec. Comm.
Exec. Comm.
Exec. Comm.
Exec. Comm.
Exec. Comm.
Board
Board
Board
Board
Board
Board
Board
Board
Board
Board
Board
Staff
Stacey Pfingsten
Communications Manager
Contact us:
1016 North Oakley Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60622
www.preservationchicago.org
ph: 773.489.0300
fax: 773.489.0874
email: [email protected]
EDITOR IN CHIEF:
SENIOR EDITOR: GRAPHIC DESIGNER: COMMUNICATIONS MGR.:
Jonathan Fine
Laura Stigler-Marier
Sandy Gartler
Stacey Pfingsten
PHOTO CREDITS:
Cover: Theatre Historical Society of America
Page 3: Jeremy McLean
Page4: Balaban and Katz Historical Foundation,
photograph by Franklin Swig
Page 5: Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society:
Lillian M. Campbell Memorial Collection (C040-239)
Page 6: Bruce Sharp, HAB Survey No. IL-1156-15
Page 7: Mike Moran, Bruce Sharp
Page 8: Debbie Dodge, Bruce Sharp
Page 9: Bruce Sharp, James A. Pierce
Page 10: Jonathan Fine, John Holden, Scott Rappe
Page 11: Jeremy McLean Page 12: Debbie Dodge
© 2007 PRESERVATION CHICAGO
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission
is strictly prohibited. Preservation Chicago is a not-for-profit
organization registered as a 501c3.
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
FALL-WINTER, 2007
Forever Open, Clear, and Free – The battle to preserve
Chicago’s green space
Chicago’s architectural greatness derives as much from its voids as it does from
its buildings. While the world is well aware of Chicago’s contribution to the built
environment, the geniuses who created its parks, boulevards, and lakefront are, for
the most part, given short shrift.
Upon Preservation Chicago’s founding, we agreed to not only advocate for
Chicago’s significant, at-risk buildings, but also for its historic “urban spaces.” At
that time, we were not quite sure what, exactly, those urban spaces would be. But
we knew that we couldn’t limit our mission only to bricks and mortar.
In recent years, however, it has become painfully obvious that Chicago’s open
spaces face as much danger as its buildings.
In 2005, a battle erupted in Palmer Square, a three-block stretch of leafy median
that traverses the Logan Boulevard Historic District between Humboldt and Kedzie
Boulevards. While technically a median, its expansive lawn functions more as a
park. Logan Square residents have used it for passive recreation and occasional
community events for generations.
But, when the Park District proposed transforming the center of the median into a
tot lot, the neighborhood cried fowl. Although their main concern was the precedent
that the insertion of a tot lot would set for other sections of the boulevard, they were
also troubled by the notion of placing a tot lot between 8 lanes of swiftly moving
traffic. To date, construction has yet to begin. However, the Landmarks Commission
has already endorsed the proposal, so the battle for the boulevards will continue.
Another long-simmering dispute is at Promontory Point, a 1937 Alfred Caldwelldesigned landscape which juts into Lake Michigan at 55th Street. Hyde Park
activists have been engaged in a 7-year campaign against the city’s plan to replace
the limestone revetment with a sterile, poured concrete design. The conflict became
so contentious that Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Senator Barack Obama
stepped in to broker a compromise. The good news is that the project seems to be
inching toward a peaceful resolution.
Across town, in Grant Park, the issue is whether to build a new children’s museum
on the site of Daley Bicentennial Plaza, a 1970’s era ice skating complex near
Randolph Street. Local residents have butted heads with park advocates over
concerns ranging from traffic congestion, a loss of green space, and a perceived lack
of democracy in the public planning process. The original design has already been
sent back to the drawing board and may be sent back again. However, Alderman
Brendan Reilly (42nd) has now taken a position opposing the project over Mayor
Daley’s strenuous endorsement. This drama has yet to play itself out, but will no
doubt be a fascinating game of political theater.
Finally, there are the 2016 Olympics, which make extensive use of our world famous
parks. Washington Park on the south side is most threatened, as it may host the
opening and closing ceremonies in a temporary eighty thousand-seat stadium. The
plans presented to the public have been schematic and offer few details. Therefore,
the permanent negative effects that these over-scaled impositions may have on
Washington Park are impossible to assess.
Jonathan Fine
President, Preservation Chicago
PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org
RALLYING TO SAVE THE
LAKE SHORE ATHLETIC CLUB
A TURNOUT OF OLYMPIAN PROPORTIONS!
If the success of a protest rally is measured
by the number of people who showed up,
then this one rated an undisputed “10.”
With the fate of the Lake Shore Athletic Club
hanging in the balance, on June 3rd, 2007,
approximately 150 protesters made up of
preservatonists and community residents
crammed the sidewalks, brandishing picket
signs and shouting chants in the hopes of
swaying the Powers That Be to landmark
this architectural heavyweight, and rescue it
from demolition.
Rushing Lake Shore Drive traffic slowed
to a crawl, “Honking for Preservation”
and giving the thumbs-up to marchers
pleading, “Landmark This Architectural
Gem!”, “Alderman Reilly: The Ball’s in Your
Court!” and “Mayor Daley, Save An Olympic
Legacy!”
In keeping with the athletic theme,
Preservation Chicago’s Mike Moran,
dressed in striped referee garb and
dribbling a basketball, continually whistled
“Flagrant Fouls on Fifield [Realty]”; Sharon
Russell donned red boxing gloves that
coordinated well with her picket sign,
“Don’t K. O. Our History!”; and symbolizing
the building’s Olympic history, Kimberlee
Smith sprinted to and fro, carrying a “torch”
raised in defiance, while Stacey Pfingsten
led cheers in a Roaring-‘20’s-style woolen
bathing suit, representing the 1928 Olympic
Swimming trials that took place at the
Lake Shore Athletic Club.
Did all the bells and whistles have their
desired effect? Please read the adjacent
article to find out!
Working his way through the crowd, Alderman
Reillystoppedtotalkandlistento variousgroups
who were making the case for this“Jewel of Lake
Shore Drive.”
ALDERMAN REILLY STEPS UP TO THE PLATE:
OPPOSES DEMOLITION OF LAKE SHORE ATHLETIC CLUB
In the last several months, neighborhood residents, community groups and preservationists
banded together to fight the pending demolition of the Lake Shore Athletic Club, culminating
in a protest rally on June 3rd. (See adjacent article.) So what’s the latest score?
THE PLAY BY PLAY
Not only has all the grass roots sound and fury grabbed the attention of the media, but of
freshman Alderman Brendan Reilly (42ndWard). On July 10th, Alderman Reilly announced
he was going to go to bat for this architectural all-star, fully acknowledging the building’s
historical significance. After numerous meetings spent gathering information from a cadre
of local residents, experienced architects, zoning attorneys, developers, preservationists and
urban planning consultants, the Alderman came to the conclusion that “every effort should be
made to preserve and re-use the historic Lake Shore Athletic Club located at 850 North
Lake Shore Drive.”
As a result, the building’s current owner, Northwestern University, agreed to extend the
demolition delay deadline to the end of 2007. Said Reilly, “We have precious few historic
structures like the Lake Shore Athletic Club still standing in Chicago, and arguments
to demolish such buildings require extra
scrutiny, healthy community input and
careful consideration of all available
options for re-use and redevelopment.”
The purpose of the more generous
deadline was to give the Alderman and
the University the opportunity to explore
those options. It also would level the
playing field, allowing more time for
preservation-minded architects and
developers to come forward with their
Demonstrators in front of Lake Shore Athletic Club.
bids for renovation.
OPPOSING TEAM IS BENCHED
Fifield Realty, who were the original prospective buyers, had been contending
that there was no other choice but to destroy the building, saying it would be too
cost-prohibitive to renovate it. But such arguments are often the ones used by
those whose only end game is to demolish. As Alderman Reilly has heard, experts
on adaptive reuse can point to countless examples in the city and around the
world that prove the wrecking ball is far from the only solution. As of September
7th, Fifield has stepped back and new, pro-preservation development plans are
coming forward. One of the latest plans being discussed is to renovate and re-use
the Lake Shore Athletic Club as a senior living facility with 200 units. What the
final outcome will be is still up in the air. But at the very least, we’ve gone into
extra innings. And a home run in saving the Lake Shore Athletic Club is very
much in the realm of possibility.
THANK ALDERMAN REILLY FOR HIS SUPPORT
If you’d like to express your thanks to Alderman Reilly for opposing demolition
and encourage him to stay the course, he may be contacted at 312-642-4242 or
[email protected].
– Laura Stigler-Marier
CITIZENS ADVOCATING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF CHICAGO’S HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
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THE NORTOWN IS NO MORE
The
last movie flickered out at the Nortown Theater
sometime in 1990, and 17 years later, the last rubble finally is
being carted away. It’s an ignominious end to the grand edifice that made its debut in 1931 as Chicago’s “newest talkie
temple” and “a beacon of light for returning prosperity.”
The Nortown, at 6320 N. Western, had a lot going for it,
beginning with its name. Balaban & Katz, the chain that built
the 3,500-seat theater, queried North Town business and civic
groups about a suitable name —the first time it sought local
input about the name on one of its theaters. Members of the
local Kiwanis Club, American Legion Post and other groups
had no trouble selecting “Nortown” as the name to put in lights
on the front, and B&K agreed.
For the theater’s design, B&K tapped
architect J. E. O. Pridmore. 66 years
old at the time of the commission,
Pridmore was a prolific designer
of vaudeville theaters and movie
houses. Among his surviving,
albeit disguised, talkie temples is the
Varsity Theater (1710 Sherman in
Evanston), designed to imitate a ritzy
French chateau.
Pridmore had something special in
mind for the Nortown and its $1 million
budget. An enthusiastic designer of
Nortown Theater, 1936 “atmospheric auditoriums,” Pridmore
built the inside of the theater around
a seascape motif. Using terra cotta and plaster, he put the movie
seats inside a garden surrounded by exotic arches and columns
hinting of an Italian courtyard overlooking the sea. Through
the arches of the plaza festooned with gilded seahorses and
mermaids, patrons saw a beach stretching out to the water, where
a lighthouse stood, and ships sailed far out on the ocean.
He saved the best for creating the sky. Pridmore comissioned
J.C. Penn, an astronomy professor at the Armour Institute
(now the Illinois Institute of Technology), to duplicate a
constellation in April 1931, the expected date of the opening of the
Nortown. The stars twinkled in a deep azure sky, the lighthouse
beamed, the ocean lay in the background
North Town businessmen repaid Balaban & Katz for allowing
them to name the theater by mounting an “elaborate program”
to open the theater in April 1931, including streetscape
Nortown Theater, 2003
decorations and a “great community demonstration” according
to press reports. The festivities seemed wildly out of synch
with the theater’s debut movie, “Stolen Heaven,” the kind
of dark gangster flick that led to the federal government’s
“decency code” that ruled Hollywood for generations. Laurel
and Hardy provided some comic relief on the twin bill in
“Chickens Come Home.”
The Nortown settled down for a long run in West Ridge,
surviving occasional fires. In January 1957, it attracted
the ire of one Mrs. Harry Auerbach of 2134 W. Rosemont,
identified in press reports as chairman of the Stone School
PTA parent education committee. Mrs. Auerbach objected to
what she saw as the “complete bedlam” during the Saturday
afternoon matinees, which she said were nothing more than
“babysitting mechanisms.” Among those matinee goers was
young Gene Siskel, later to become one of the movie business’
most famous critics.
By 1984, the Nortown was fighting to stay alive. The house
was split into a three-screen theater that gave patrons the
feeling they were watching a movie in somebody’s attic.
Six years later, the theater closed. Efforts to convert the
space to a Pakistani community center and later a church of
unaffiliated denomination not only failed, but left the theater
in deeper states of disrepair. The large marquee was removed
years ago, and damage from water, fire and vandals marred the
interior. Long term neglect of this historic structure sealed the
deal for demolition early this fall.
In his 1981 Tribune review of “The Warriors”, Siskel expressed
his sense of shock while seeing a rowdy group of patrons
being frisked by off-duty police prior to entering his old
neighborhood theater. One can only imagine his dismay had
he been here to witness the backhoe tearing down the walls of
this once grand movie palace.
– Maribeth Brewer and Dan Miller
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PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org
Looking south at Devon and Western, 1930s
CURTAINS! THE LOSS OF CHICAGO’S NEIGHBORHOOD MOVIE HOUSE
Most have been demolished. Several still stand, but
sit empty and idle. Some have been converted to other
uses. Only a few remain open and function as originally
intended. They are Chicago’s historic local movie theaters,
and they are a dying breed.
For fans of Chicago’s most well-known lost movie
palaces, the names are familiar: the Tivoli, the Marbro,
the Granada, the Norshore, and the Paradise. Although
these losses occurred decades ago, the mere mention of
their names still brings a twinge of pain to the most ardent
theater aficionados. Sadly, in neighborhoods throughout
the city, the last remaining theaters from this golden age
are still being threatened with demolition.
Recent losses, like the Adelphi Theater at 7074 N. Clark
Street went down last year with barely a protest. The fate
of other more prominent theaters hang in the balance.
But without creative reuses and immediate intervention
by both the public and private sector, the odds of saving
many of them are worse than ever.
FLASHBACK: THE RISE AND FALL
OF MOVIE PALACES
Reflecting the age of excess in which they were born,
The Roaring Twenties ushered in the heyday of the true
movie palace. These theaters, built specifically for the
showing of films, sported exuberant motifs so ornate that
they were a feast to the senses. However, the designs
were anything but pure, mixing different historical
styles into a kitschy mélange of architectural parody that
suited the purpose for which they served; a fantastical
wonderland that could belong to anyone for the price
of admission. But no theaters were more elaborate than
those owned by Balaban and Katz, who hired masters of
“atmospheric” theater architecture, like brothers C.W and
George Rapp and J.E.O. Pridmore.
By the late 20’s, when the Talkies supplanted the Silents,
Hollywood studios were churning out a film a week.
Radio was still in its infancy, so the movie industry had
a captive and receptive audience. Many of the larger
theaters even had a primitive form of air conditioning
and thus offered the only cool place to escape on a hot
summer night. Although the film industry was blamed
for the eventual demise of Vaudeville, larger theaters
sometimes offered films as well as vaudeville acts. The
price of a ticket would often include both, plus a cartoon,
a serialized “short”, a “B” picture, and a newsreel. Movie
attendance peaked throughout the 1930’s and early 40’s
as a welcome respite from the despair of the Depression
and the grim realities of World War II. However, with the
end of the war, a new invention would spell doom for the
fabled movie palace.
CITIZENS ADVOCATING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF CHICAGO’S HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
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dubious existence, booking films of questionable
content that often featured excessively violent,
exploitative, or pornographic fare. Attempts
to revive neighborhood theaters in the late 70’s
and early 80’s extended the lives of some
theaters, for a while, but at great cost to their
architectural integrity.
THE FATE OF THE ESQUIRE…
The streamlined Moderne Esquire Theater,
located at 58 E. Oak Street in the heart of the Near
North Side, closed its doors in 2006. Completed
in 1938 and designed by architect William L.
Pereira, the theater sits vacant awaiting almost
certain demolition. This situation presents an
unique problem for the city. The Esquire is rated
Red (the highest and most important color) by the
Chicago Historical Resources Survey.
No Red Rated buildings have been offered up
for demolition in recent memory, and none
since the Demolition Delay Ordinance went into
effect in January 2003. This ordinance allows
a 90-day demolition delay for buildings rated
Red and Orange, but offers no protection beyond
that timeline.
Although a gem at the time of its construction, the
Esquire has undergone numerous changes in the
past two decades. The most prominent change has
Granada Theatre interior, 1925-1991, 6427-41 North Sheridan Road
been to its original 1400-seat auditorium, which
was cut up into six smaller theaters in the late
1980’s. Despite the fact that the alterations were done with
TELEVISION ENTERS THE PICTURE
relative sensetivity and reflect the original Art Moderne style,
the loss of this stunning
The demise of the movie palace had more to do with a
space is tragic.
changing American lifestyle and the invention of television
than any other factor. Post war prosperity brought a desire for
A proposal to demolish
suburban style living, and thus, an exodus from the inner city.
the entire building and
As television sets became more affordable, people stayed
replace it with a high-rise
home in air conditioned comfort to watch it. Valiant efforts
hotel and retail complex
by the film industry to entice patrons back to the movies
has been presented.
resulted in more Technicolor epics and the introduction of
At this writing, Alderman
new technology like Panavision, Cinemascope, and stereo
Reilly (42nd) opposes the
surround sound. But, in spite of this, movie attendance
high-rise component, but
kept dropping.
the shopping mall could
AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLIN’ DOWN
The late 1950’s and early 1960’s saw a rash of movie
palace demolitions throughout the city. By the late 60’s and
early 1970’s, those that remained faced an even more
be built under the current
zoning. The building was
denied landmark status in
the 1980’s and
Esquire Theater, 1938
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PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org
As the neighborhood changed, so too did its
programming. By the late 1970’s, it showed mostly
Spanish language films before finally closing its
doors in the mid 1980’s. Since then, the theater has
stood vacant and deteriorating. The theater is now
in the control of the city’s Planning Department and
numerous reuse proposals have been presented. The
most promising plan to date has been a restaurant and
banquet hall reuse. However, that has stalled and there
is no guarantee at the present time that anything other
than the historic façade will be preserved. An advocacy
group called Save The Ramova has been formed to
preserve this Bridgeport icon. (savetheramova.org)
Village Theater, 1916
Ramova Theater, 1929
WILL IT TAKE A VILLAGE?
may not qualify as a nominee under current Landmark
ordinances, leaving demolition as a likely option.
ATTEMPTING TO SAVE THE RAMOVA
Another theater that faces an uncertain future is the
1200 seat Ramova Theater, located in the Bridgeport
neighborhood at 3518 S. Halsted Street. Built in 1929
and designed by architect Meyer O. Nathan, it was
considered to be the “sister” theater to the smaller
Music Box located at 3733 N. Southport on the North
side. Classified as a Spanish Renaissance Atmospheric
theater, it featured an interior that evoked a Spanish
courtyard looking out to a pastoral countryside. Its
celestial blue ceiling sported twinkling stars and
clouds that moved across the sky. Its claim to fame
was that it premiered, along with the Music Box, the
1940 Charlie Chaplin film, “The Great Dictator,” which
was kept out of the downtown theaters for fear of
arousing controversy.
The future of the Village Theater also remains in doubt.
Originally built in 1916 as the Germania, its name
was changed numerous times before finally becoming
the Village in 1967. Located at 1548 N. Clark Street
on the Near North, the name reflects its proximity to
Sandburg Village. Converted from a single screen 900
seat theater to a 4-plex in the early 1990’s, the majority
of its interior detail was destroyed in the conversion,
although some plaster detailing remains. Closed since
March of 2007, the Village’s prominent location at the
corner of North Avenue and Clark Street puts it at great
risk. Redevelopment potential has sparked the interest
of the CVS Pharmacy chain. Situated one block from a
Walgreen’s at North and Wells, the theater site presents
an attractive corner for CVS to compete with its archrival
for control of the local pharmacy trade. Although a deal
to demolish the Village had been worked out under
former Alderman Burton Natarus, Alderman Brendan
Reilly is proving to be more sympathetic to saving
Chicago’s architectural history than his predecessor.
CITIZENS ADVOCATING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF CHICAGO’S HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
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THE PATIO’S PREDICAMENT
Portage Park’s 1927 Patio
Theater, located at 6008
W. Irving Park Rd., is one
of the few single screen
neighborhood theaters to
have never been subdivided.
Architect Rudolph G. Wolff
designed the Spanish
Renaissance atmospheric
theater, which featured a
1500 seat auditorium and a
ceiling of twinkling lights
and drifting clouds.
Patio Theater, 1927
Thanks to its remarkable owner, the Patio is still
standing. Alexander Kovalis purchased and restored
the theater and operated it as an independent
movie house from 1987 until 2001. Since then,
the theater has been closed and remains vacant.
Although Mr. Kouvalis has no desire to accept
any of the tear-down offers he has received
from chain retailers for the property, numerous
issues prevent him from reopening the theater,
including an inability to fill the massive auditorium
on a regular basis, exorbitant utility costs, and issues
with the city over public amusement licensing
(PPA) costs.
Until these issues can be addressed, the theater will
remain closed.
WHAT’S UP WITH THE UPTOWN?
Perhaps the longest and most frustrating battle has been that
of the Uptown Theater, located at 4816 N. Broadway. The
largest and grandest work of architects Rapp and Rapp, the
Uptown was crafted in a Spanish Baroque style. Its massive
auditorium seats 4320 and, when it was built, was the largest
theater in terms of sheer volume in the world.
However, during the 1950’s and ‘60’s, funds had been
raised for maintenance by auctioning off art and other
original interior details, but there never seemed to be enough
money. By the 1970’s, deferred maintenance and increasing
utility costs had taken their toll on the structure. The Uptown
closed for good in 1981. At that time, its less than attentive
owner allowed the building to fall further into disrepair.
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A staircase in the Uptown Theatre Lobby, 1925
Major damage occurred when the Uptown failed to be
heated for winter. A series of poor management decisions
ensued in the 1990’s and continued until recently. However,
a group of local volunteers, Friends of the Uptown Theater,
has faithfully cared for the building for over two decades
and also worked to obtain both city and federal landmark
designation. The most current and seemingly most viable
proposal is to turn the theater into a concert venue, but
technical and financial issues abound. Currently, the
building is owned by Broadway in Chicago, but Jam
Productions also has a financial stake in the property.
Until the ownership issues are settled, the project to
restore and reopen the theater remains in limbo. The
city’s Landmarks Commission has invested over a million
dollars in public funds to stabilize the terra cotta façade
and continues to monitor the building until a restoration
agreement can be reached.
PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org
In Memoriam
SOME HAPPY ENDINGS
Whether through demolition or neglect, the loss of
these neighborhood movie houses was, perhaps,
inevitable. However, numerous ones throughout the
city still remain economically viable. Theaters like
the Davis in Lincoln Square, the Portage in Portage
Park, and the Music Box in Lakeview continue to
infuse their surrounding streets with life and help
maintain these pedestrian friendly streets as social and
economic destinations.
But communities must continue to remain vigilant
against knee-jerk demolition proposals. Grass roots
organizations like the Friends of the Uptown and Save
the Ramova play an important role in determining
if these theaters remain for the next generation to
enjoy. In turn, city planners and elected officials
must acknowledge their community significance
and future economic viability and act aggressively
to preserve them.
Only by working together can we ensure that we do not
lose another of our historic movie theaters.
– Jonathan Fine
JOSEPH DUCIBELLA, 1945-2007
PATRON SAINT
OF CHICAGO’S THEATER PALACES
The grand movie palaces of yesterday often made
even an Ordinary Joe feel like a celebrity, simply
by passing through their doors. One such “ordinary
Joe” was Joseph DuciBella, who went on to extraordinary accomplishments, becoming a world-renowned marquee
name as an avid historian and preservationist of Chicago’s theaters.
Growing up on Chicago’s tough West Side, Mr. DuciBella found
escapism in Chicago’s ornate palatial theaters, their architecture
sparking a life-long passion: In 1969, he helped found the internationally recognized Theatre Historical Society of America, and with
the aid of David R. White, wrote and compiled the encyclopedic,
soon-to-be-published “The Theatres of Chicago: The Complete Illustrated History.”
Heartbroken by the alarming number of theater palaces that have
succumbed to the wrecking ball since the 1950’s, DuciBella lead the
way in saving such iconic structures as the Chicago and Oriental
Theatres, and more recently, the Congress and the hard-fought-for
Uptown. The first two have been restored to their original splendor;
the last two are in the process of achieving the same.
On June 29th, 2007, Joseph DuciBella passed away. As a
preservationist, brilliant raconteur, and true gentle man, he will be
dearly missed. Still, as the saying goes, “The show must go on.”
With everlasting gratitude to Mr. DuciBella, at some of the grandest
theaters ever built…it will.
ALYS LAVICKA, 1948-2007
A GROWING LEGACY
A tireless educational volunteer and preservationist, Alys Lavicka joined her husband, Bill Lavicka,
in launching and maintaining Historic Boulevard
Services, a design and construction firm specializing in historic preservation. But what Alys was
most noted for was bringing beauty and vibrancy
to the school where she volunteered, and to the
Near West Side neighborhood in which she lived
for over 35 years.
“Alys helped co-found the preservationist movement for urban
pioneering of the 1500 block of west Jackson Boulevard, now listed
as both a city and a National Register Historic District,” said her
husband. An avid gardener with a multi-colored thumb, Mrs. Lavicka
lent her magical “green” expertise to a barren patch of land outside
the Andrew Jackson Language Academy, helping transform it into a
breathtaking garden.
Within the Academy, Mrs. Lavicka logged over 10,000 hours of
volunteer work, dedicating herself to creating a climate supportive of
the staff and beneficial to the students.
Music Box Theatre, 1929
On July 24, 2007, Mrs. Lavicka succumbed after a long illness. But
she will long be remembered for her special gift of inspiring growth…
whether it was in a garden, or in the spirit of young students.
– Laura Stigler-Marier
CITIZENS ADVOCATING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF CHICAGO’S HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
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LOST
Montrose and Broadway
1920s Era
Terra Cotta Store Fronts
Lost: To make way for new
Wilson Yard Development.
Jacob Riis School
1111 S. Throop
1914-1915, Arthur F. Hussander
Classical Revival
Lost: Demolished for parkland
at Roosevelt Square.
1418 N. LaSalle
1960s Remodel of a Victorian
Townhouse; Former home of
late sculpter Eldon Danhausen
Lost: New Residential
Development.
Fine Arts Annex
421 S. Wabash Avenue
1924, Rebori, Wentworth, Dewey
and McCormick
Uncertain: Roosevelt University
may build a new dormtory on
that parcel.
Michael Reese Hospital
2929 S Ellis Ave
1905-07, Schmidt, Garden
& Martin
Uncertain: Threatened with
development of possible
Olympic Village.
UNCERTAIN
Rosenwald Apartments
4618-4646 S. Michigan
1929, Ermest Grunsfeld Jr.
Moderne
Uncertain: Redevelopment
proposals continue to stall.
SAFE
444 N. LaSalle Street
1930, Art Deco
Saved: Now an official Chicago
Landmark and home to English,
a new resturant/pub.
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Arlington-Deming District
124 bldgs. between Fullerton, Clark,
Deming, and Orchard in Lincoln Park
Saved: Chicago Landmark District
as of September 27, 2007.
Vorwaets Turnhalle/Gut Heil
2341 W. Roosevelt Rd.
1896, Queen Anne
Saved: Currently being
rehabbed.
PRESERVATION CHICAGO www.preservationchicago.org
PROFILES IN PRESERVATION
Pam Jameson, Lake Shore Athletic Club Champion
PC: What motivated you to move to Chicago –
and specifically, Streeterville?
PJ: I came to Chicago with a job at Jewel, organizing and
managing their investor relations program. Because I had
spent a significant time living in Manhattan just prior to this
gig, management (specifically the real estate people) at Jewel,
recommended that I come downtown, recognizing that I
would have a tough time adjusting to the suburbs (near where
the corporate headquarters was located). Prior to moving
here, I had been in Chicago on business frequently and had
loved the fact that Streeterville, while very much in the city’s
center, actually has grass and flowers in the area. There’s
even a park two blocks from my home.
PC: What inspired you to advocate for the Lake Shore
Athletic Club’s preservation?
PJ: I had used the club facilities – swimming and training.
and believed it was such a beautiful building, that it should
be saved, if at all feasible. It was after I started the effort to
landmark it that I learned of its important history.
PC: What have you learned from this experience?
PJ: That most people are really wonderful.
PC: What surprised you the most?
PJ: On the other hand, I was amazed at the apathy some
residents have regarding their neighborhood. Some almost
seem to suffer from a sense of impermanence regarding
their environment..
PJ: I learned two
lessons: 1) be persistent
and 2) to listen carefully
to everyone – you never
know where a great idea
will come from.
PC: If you could express
to the City, the Mayor or
Alderman Reilly one thing
Pam Jameson (right) talking to a reporter at the
regarding preservation,
Lake Shore Athletic Club rally.
what would that be?
PJ: The Mayor and our new alderman [Brendan Reilly, 42nd
Ward] both are to be commended for their passion in not only
maintaining this great city, but also in continually striving to
make it better. Reilly’s campaign positions have been
evidenced every day in his actions, now that he is in office.
Early on, he has gained the respect of everyone in his ward
for his apparent concern and interest in his constituents.
PC: What advice would you give to others who want to
take action in their neighborhoods?
PJ: On any community action--don’t be discouraged. It’s
sort of like the old expression “you have to kiss a lot of frogs
before you find a prince.” You will find people who agree
with your passions. If the questions relates specifically to
preservation/landmarking, etc. – work closely with
Preservation Chicago and Landmarks Illinois.
*To read more about the campaign to save the Lake Shore Athletic Club,
please visit http://www.preservationchicago.org/risk/lakeshorehtml
PC: What’s the most valuable lesson you learned from this
campaign that will help you in future advocacy efforts?
JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Please send a printed copy of the completed membership form, using your credit card, or including a check to:
PRESERVATION CHICAGO, 1016 N. Oakley Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60622
NEW MEMBER AND RENEWAL APPLICATION
_____ $35 New Annual Membership
_____ $250
Legacy Advocates
_____ $15
Special Student/Senior Rate Membership
_____ $500
Landmark Partners
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Burnham Alliance
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(Most Preservation Chicago communication with members is via e-mail)
11
the
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THIRD UNITARIAN CHURCH BLESSED WITH
PRELIMINARY LANDMARK STATUS
S
ituated in the Austin National Register Historic District
on Chicago’s West Side, a little modest gem is about to
become a Chicago landmark: it’s the Third Unitarian
Church. At the time it was built, in 1936, the country
was in the grips of the Great Depression. Money was
scarce. Even so, the congregation was in need of a house
of worship. Their prayers were answered: trailblazing
modernist architect Paul Schweikher designed a church
that was not only affordable, but is considered to be one of
his finest works. Its very simplicity became a pioneering
symbol of modern architecture – and the unorthodox, cando spirit of the church itself.
The church’s easy construction allowed for members to
pitch in and help build it, deepening their sense of pride
and spiritual attachment to the structure. Outside, it is of
common brick, which has taken on a spare aestheticism of
its own. Inside, the simplicity is carried through with brick
and wood panel walls. Schweikher’s trademark innovative
window designs are also manifested in four “brick grill”
windows at the building’s front corners. And a wooden
balcony at the rear of the auditorium pays homage to
Schweikher’s fascination with Japanese architecture.
Third Unitarian Church, 1936, 301 N. Mayfield Avenue
When construction was finished, the church was able to
accommodate 200 members. But a growing congregation
necessitated expansion. In 1956, an addition was built,
designed by former Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice,
architect William Fyfe, who assisted Schweikher on the
original design.
Enter the sanctuary, and you will see 19 ceramic portrait
murals of “Saints” – wise people admired by the members
– Thomas Jefferson, Jane Addams, Harriet Tubman
and others, their presence enhancing the uniqueness of
the space. In 1964, the Third Unitarian Church was
listed as one of the 37 most significant buildings by the
Chicago Landmarks Commission. With landmark status
on the horizon, it’s heartening to know it will be more
than significant. It will be safe.
– Laura Stigler-Marier and Stacey Pfingsten
PRESERVATION CHICAGO
1016 N. Oakley Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60622
the
VOICE
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