A last-ditch effort by neighbors to save the vintage façade at 1300 West Newport Avenue in the Southport Corridor has fallen short, as demolition has been carried out on the 1910-built greystone.
Block Club reported last week that neighbors on the 1300 block of Newport, which is comprised of a full row of similar greystones likely built during the first decade of the 1900s, attempted to encourage the developer to at least save the facade, if not the entire building, even offering to pay the re-design costs for new plans.
Friday, August 1. Note the architectural detail at the top right corner had been removed, possibly salvaged. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
The decorative stone pediment, still present as of July 22. Photo by Daniel Schell
August 1, after the rear stairwell had been removed. Photo by Daniel Schell
Alas, late last week, demolition contractor Builder Luxury Inc of Willowbrook tore down the garage along with the covered rear stairwell addition on the main residence. By early Monday afternoon, the crew had hollowed out the building’s interior like a Halloween pumpkin, tearing away the second floor of the front façade in the process. Some portions of the east and west walls remained.
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
From the alley looking toward the front of the home. hoto by Daniel Schell
From the alley. Photo by Daniel Schell
A permit to build a three-story plus basement, two-unit building on the site is still pending in the Chicago Date Portal.
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What a shame. I imagine it will be replaced with a swagless, soulless, brick box filled with drywall and devoid of detail.
If we’re lucky, the replacement will be brick. In all likelihood, probably plastic siding :/
Single wythe brick facade and vinyl siding for the sides and rear? We’re in design hell
A total waste. There are numerous other graystones within walking distance that have been renovated and/or expanded but still retained the original exterior. I wouldn’t want to be the new residents at their first block club party.
Wanton destruction of a cohesive urban fabric.
Looks like they took the cornice ornament – I wonder if they’re going to stick it on the new building like that Family Matters sign that went up when they tore down the Family Matters house.
I used to live on Southport and always adored this stretch of Newport Ave that is almost entirely gray stones. As others have said, many of these have been gut rehabed. Shame to see this one go.
Disgusting
Was anything salvaged other then the a cornice stone any bricks or wood ?
I’m sure they’ll salvage bricks.
Was anything salvaged other then the a cornice stone any bricks or wood ?
Sickening, walked by today. They weren’t salvaging. This alderman has to go.
This one hurts – I always loved walking along this stretch of uniform greystones while living up in Lakeview.
The demolition of this structure is nothing less than sinful.
If you loved it so much you could have purchased it and restored it. Are private property rights only good when you agree with them?
Related to the financial side or alderman concerning the destruction of this property? Newport has a long stretch of beautiful greystones and now cheap crap will be put up here with outrageous prices. No matter what your next retort is, it is clear you clearly do not have an understanding of architectural history or sense of architectural place.
We’ll always have Google images. 🙂
Regardless of your stance, there are no zoning or landmark protections for these buildings or blocks. If one is passionate about it, step up to help create some protections with the proper departments. Otherwise let the private sector do what they’re allowed per current policy. Someone paid market value to build their dream. No need to begrudge them of that.