I Speak Vintage has heard quite a few horror stories from folks that have bought vintage or historic homes, only to be left holding the bag, as it were. While historic homes have an appeal and charm for many buyers, there are certain restrictions and expenses (that’s an understatement) you need to know about before signing on the dotted line.
Tag Archives: Landmark
Prentice Saga Continues…
As my mother-in-laws says, “yeah, it’s all about the money.”
The clock is STILL ticking and the fate of Chicago’s iconic Prentice Woman’s Hospital still teeters on the precipice of indecision. A questionable decision granted and subsequently revoked on November 1, 2012 on the landmark status for Bertrand Goldberg’s Old Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago, leads some to speculate about legal recourse for a coalition of preservationists who have fought owner Northwestern University’s plans to tear the old girl down. Members of that coalition took their battle to court on November 15, 2012, claiming the Commission on Chicago Landmarks “acted arbitrarily and exceeded its authority.”
Knowledge is power. Read on;
Update from Chris Bentley’s November 15, 2012 post on arch.paper.com
At an emergency hearing in Cook County Circuit Court on Thursday, November 15, Judge Neil Cohen entered a stay that restores the Commission on Chicago Landmarks’ preliminary landmark recommendation for historic Prentice Women’s Hospital and temporarily bars the city from issuing a demolition permit. The Commission unanimously voted two weeks ago to grant a preliminary landmark designation for Prentice and then–in an unprecedented move–rescinded that designation just two hours later at the same meeting based on a departmental report.
On November 15, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, joined by Landmarks Illinois, filed a lawsuit against the Commission on Chicago Landmarks and the City of Chicago. The suit argues that the Commission unlawfully rescinded the designation in violation of Chicago’s Landmarks Ordinance by improperly weighing alleged economic arguments and by usurping the authority of City Council. Judge Cohen set the next court date for December 7 and made it clear that he wanted to see Prentice protected in the interim.
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Lawsuit Press Release.pd |
November 1, 2012
The Commission on Chicago Landmarks (CCL) voted “yes” for a recommendation of preliminary landmark designation for Prentice Women’s Hospital, on November 1, 2012. Shortly after, the commission rescinded the vote and Prentice can now be demolished.
Over 100 Save Prentice supporters showed up at the commission meeting proudly wearing Save Prentice tees and buttons. They shared stories, expertise, and passion about Bertrand Goldberg and his iconic Prentice Women’s Hospital. Many more followed the proceeding on Facebook and Twitter, helping spread the word about this important moment with likes, shares, and retweets.
With a unanimous 9-0 vote, the Commission recognized Prentice with preliminary designation. However, all but one Commissioner voted to overturn their landmark recommendation less than three hours later. We applaud Commissioner Christopher Reed for his dissenting vote, a true demonstration of courage and independence.
The Save Prentice Coalition is considering all options in response to yesterday’s proceedings, and we will keep you updated on this page, our “Ten Most Endangered” Prentice page, Save Prentice Facebook, and on Twitter at @SavePrentice. Thanks again for all of your support.
For more, read Landmarks Illinois’ Advocacy Director Lisa DiChiera’s statement delivered at a November 1 press event with the Save Prentice Coalition, prior to the CCL meeting.
Your Old House Has a History
Do you live in an historic home, landmark district, or one of Chicago’s architecturally iconic buildings? Researching the history of the homes I sell is a topic that frequently comes up in the search and ultimate purchase of historic Chicago homes.
In putting together resources to aid the process, I came across “Your Home Has a History,” a research document & process on the Chicago Landmark Commission’s website at www.cityofchicago.org/Landmarks. For anyone that wants to do the legwork to research the history of their home, this document provides a step by step process.
No surprise that permit and record keeping was not formally put in place (in Chicago) until after 1871. Fresh start, I guess – right? If your home was built before that, there is another bevy of challenges in digging through archives.
Below, I have paraphrased some of the Chicago Landmark pamphlet to whet the appetite of true history nerds. Step one is pretty straightforward. Beyond that, it gets more detailed as you move from step to step.
You own a lovely home that you’re proud to call your own. But someone owned it before you. Someone built it, cared for it, and made changes through the years to it. And now you’re interested in finding out the “who, when and what” of your property.
Researching your house can be fun, fascinating and completely engrossing
However, beware! Research can become addictive. It can also be frustrating. You may exhaust every source possible and still not find the answers to your questions. But no matter how many questions remain unanswered, you will have unearthed some interesting information, learned a little more about your community, and become familiar with some important public institutions in the city.
So, have fun, and good luck.
Before you launch your research, it would be good to have a general idea of your house’s style and the approximate date of its construction.
If your house is newly purchased, the real estate listing undoubtedly had a date typed into the appropriate box. While you shouldn’t assume that this date is correct, it may help get you started. The architectural style of your house can also provide you with clues to its approximate age so you know where to begin your research.
Some common styles in Chicago and their most distinctive features
- Front Gable or Worker’s Cottage (beginning 1870s) – narrow house, steep roof, off-center front door
- Romanesque Revival (1880-1900)- large arched openings, masonry walls, towers with conical roofs, asymmetrical façade
- Italianate (1860-1900) – widely overhanging eaves, decorative brackets, tall, narrow arched windows
- Queen Anne (1880s-1990) – steep roof usually with a prominent gable, porches, variety of building materials
- Prairie (early 1900s)- low pitched hipped roof, wide overhanging eaves, horizontal detailing
- Bungalow (early 1900s)-low pitched roof, wide eaves, brick walls, and bay window with art glass
- American Four-Square (1900- 1930)- cube shape, hipped roof, broad front porch, little ornament
- Colonial Revival (1880-1955)- cube shape, gabled roof, symmetrical, prominent front door
Step One
Checking the Chicago Historic Resources Survey
The very first place to look for information on your house is in the Chicago Historic Resources Survey. A copy of this book is in every branch of the Chicago Public Library and can also be viewed at the Commission on Chicago Landmarks office. An electronic version of the survey is available on the City of Chicago’s website at: www.cityofchicago.org/Landmarks/CHRS. If the survey lists the date and architect for your building, you’re in luck. That means a permit was found by Commission researchers and additional information may be on file in the Commission Offices….
A Good Mystery
Historical research is often compared to reading a good mystery. By now you should know who did it, where, with what, and maybe why. But your search may have just begun. Our city, and its world renowned architecture, have a rich and engrossing history. The people and institutions you’ve used to do your research are ready to help you continue. Make good use of our public libraries, our museums, our government agencies and our universities. They are a wealth of information preserved for us and our children.
Source:
“YOUR HOUSE HAS A HISTORY
A Step-by-Step Guide to Researching Your Property”
COMMISSION ON CHICAGO LANDMARKS
Again, this is just a tease to illustrate that researching your home, who built it and who lived there over the years is not as daunting as it may seem. There are 
six steps that end with researching the history of your neighborhood, which can provide a terrific snapshot of the years that have rolled over the economic and demographic changes that shape the varied neighborhoods of Chicago.
Soldier on and see what you find. If you have specify questions, let me know. Good luck!
I Speak Vintage 