In a concerning trend of historical landmarks facing neglect, South Park Terrace Apartments in Chicago's Washington Park, a building with architectural connections to Frank Lloyd Wright, urgently requires preservation efforts. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, the 1905 building, renowned for its Prairie School style and homages to Wright's design sensibilities, has deteriorated due to owner neglect, leading to a city evacuation order over unsafe living conditions.
The building's facade, with its blonde brick, arched entrances, and glazed white terra cotta, offers a visual delight along South King Drive. Notably, it once housed Halle Berry’s character in the 1995 film "Losing Isaiah." However, behind this charming exterior, residents were subjected to squalor, culminating in portions of the building being scorched by fire. The city’s action reflects mounting concerns for tenant safety, with the Department of Buildings stating that the "Ownership completely abandoned the building, allowing the property to go into foreclosure, and conditions continued to deteriorate to the point of imminent danger to the community," according to the Chicago Sun-Times report.
South Park Terrace is not just a historical character of the community, but also a complex with affordable rental units in an increasingly expensive city. Designed by Harry Hale Waterman, an associate of Wright, it is reminiscent of Wright's Francisco Terrace Apartments, emphasizing natural light and open space. Despite speculation surrounding Waterman's inspiration from Wright, the architectural legacy and the need to preserve such structures remain undisputed.
With the court appointing a receiver to address the disrepair, hopes rise for rehabilitation and reoccupation of this emblematic building, which once provided dignified housing for the working class. Advocates argue for landmark status to secure tax incentives that would ease the financial burden of restoration. Cecilia Butler, president of the Washington Park Residents’ Advocacy Council, told the Chicago Sun-Times, "What people have said that live in the community is that it’s been unfair to the residents there to give them a two-day notice and they have to leave."
In related news, Dale Chihuly’s glass art exhibition is set to enhance Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, amidst other cultural updates, including renovations to the overcrowded Louvre in Paris and the controversy surrounding the sale of public lands in the West. Meanwhile, back in Chicago, the culinary scene anticipates the opening of Ithaki in the historic Greektown district, as detailed by the Newcity magazine.
