Landmarks Commission Approves Preliminary Landmark Designation for Halsted-Willow Group in Lincoln Park

The Commission on Chicago Landmarks has approved the preliminary landmark recommendation for the Halsted-Willow Group. Located in Lincoln Park, the designation includes four buildings located at 1732 N Halsted Street, 1727-1733 N Halsted Street, and 1800 N Halsted Street. These buildings are all placed at the intersection of N Halsted Street and W Willow Street.

Halsted-Willow Group District Boundary. Images by CCL

1800 N Halsted Street, located on the northwest corner of the intersection, is part of a large planned development. It will require consent from the owner for landmark designation. 1732 N Halsted Street, located at the southwest corner of the intersection, is also part of the planned development, requiring consent from the owners for landmark designation. 1733 N Halsted Street is located on the southeast corner of the intersection, with 1727-29 N Halsted Street directly to the south of it. All buildings are mixed-use structures with ground-floor commercial uses and residential units on the upper floors. They all date back to the 1880s.

1732 and 1800 N Halsted Street. Images by CCL

The buildings meet Criterion 1, value as an example of city, state, or national heritage. They were used and built by German immigrants, with many commercial uses over the years. The group also meets Criterion 4, exemplary architecture. The buildings exhibit a Victorian-era store and flats commercial building type. They also are fine examples of neighborhood mixed-use buildings in the Italianate and Queen Anne architectural styles. All of them are finely constructed and ornamented with stone, brick, terracotta, and pressed metal panels.

1727-29 and 1733 N Halsted Street. Image by CCL

The final criterion, Criterion 6, distinctive theme as a district, is met within this designation. The group of buildings display a distinct visual unity, based on consistent scale, size, building setbacks, overall design, use of building materials, and detailing, grouped as an informal gateway to the residential neighborhood east and west of N Halsted Street.

Images of 1800 N Halsted Street. Images by CCL

The designation also meets the Integrity Criterion, where the group has a significant degree of integrity in terms of its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and an ability to express its historic, community, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value. The buildings have retained their original site, form, exterior details, window openings, and ornamental materials. Architectural changes have been made overtime, including minor storefront changes and the replacement of windows.

Historical Views of 1800 N Halsted Street. Images by CCL

As part of the designation, building owners will need to consent to the designation. Currently, the Laramar Group, the owners of 1732 N Halsted Street and 1800 N Halsted Street, support the landmark designation. The owner of 1727 N Halsted Street expressed an objection to the designation. The owner of 1733 N Halsted Street was not present to make a statement.

The landmark designation will protect all exterior elevations and rooflines of each building. A report will be drafted on the landmark designation which will be reviewed following this preliminary approval. A final vote will be taken by the commission before it is sent to City Council to approve the final landmark status.

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