Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Arguing that the controversial Loop structure is Helmut Jahn’s definitive achievement, preservation advocates said Monday that the untimely death of the German architect “really does cement the argument that the Thompson Center should be preserved.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who put the building up for sale last week, on Monday said the state lost “a great artistic genius,” but the James R. Thompson Center doesn’t fall under the category of great, artistic work.
“It’s not the greatest example of his work,” the governor said.
Jahn, 81, who designed the state government building at 100 W. Randolph and other notable structures in Chicago and around the world, died Saturday afternoon when he was struck by two vehicles while riding his bicycle in Campton Hills, near his home in far west suburban St. Charles.
UpdatedTue, May 11, 2021 at 4:47 pm CT
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The former Scott Foresman textbook company headquarters was built in 1966 and has been vacant since June 2020. It could be facing demolition and is being offered up for redevelopment. (Photo courtesy of Landmarks Illinois)
GLENVIEW, IL The former headquarters of the Scott Foresman textbook company that was built in 1966 in Glenview and that is now up for sale in has made the list of the most endangered historic places in Illinois by a not-for-profit organization that hopes to preserve locations facing demolition around the state.
The building, which was designed by architect Jerry Johnson of Perkins & Will, is located at 1900 E. Lake Ave. The former Scott Foresman headquarters has been vacant since last year and is being recognized by Landmarks Illinois because of its Midcentury Modern design while being situated within a peaceful campus setting , according to the organization .
A historic preservation group ranks a Central Illinois landmark among the state s most endangered.
Landmarks Illinois says the 132-year-old Havana Water Tower is at risk. It needs extensive and costly repairs. It could cost the city as much as $1.2 million to restore the landmark, and to return it to a functioning water tower, said Landmarks Illinois CEO Bonnie McDonald. Finding that funding is a challenge for a small city that is home to 3,200 people.
Built in 1889, the tower needs tuck pointing to stabilize its octagonal base, a coat of paint or sealant to prevent rusting, and reinforcement of the retaining walls. The 50-foot tall tower was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
After a year off in 2020, Illinois historic preservationists announced their list of the state’s most endangered historic places Wednesday, structures and sites they say are architecturally and culturally significant but at risk of being lost forever.
Landmarks Illinois unveiled its list of nine locations six of them in Chicago or suburban counties at a news conference designed to draw attention to the potential loss of these sites, some of which are well-known as others degrade in relative anonymity.
“Communities are passionate about their historic and culturally significant places, yet too often lack the resources necessary to maintain and preserve them,” Bonnie McDonald, president and CEO of Landmarks Illinois, said in a statement. The list “demonstrates the demand for creative solutions, partnerships and incentives to give places of our past a chance for reuse and renewed life.”
After a year off in 2020, Illinois historic preservationists announced their list of the state’s most endangered historic places Wednesday, structures and sites they say are architecturally and culturally significant but at risk of being lost forever.
Landmarks Illinois unveiled its list of nine locations six of them in Chicago or suburban counties at a news conference designed to draw attention to the potential loss of these sites, some of which are well-known as others degrade in relative anonymity.
“Communities are passionate about their historic and culturally significant places, yet too often lack the resources necessary to maintain and preserve them,” Bonnie McDonald, president and CEO of Landmarks Illinois, said in a statement. The list “demonstrates the demand for creative solutions, partnerships and incentives to give places of our past a chance for reuse and renewed life.”