Yesterday, about 70 protesters were outside the closed Lake Shore Athletic Club at 850 North Lake Shore Drive trying to save the 80 year-old structure from the wrecker's ball.
The Chicago Tribune reports that Fifield Realty entered into a contract with the building's owner, Northwestern University, to purchase it if they are able to demolish the structure and build another. This was back in March, so time's running out.
The club is categorized as "orange" by the Chicago Historic Resources Survey which requires a 90 day delay period. The "orange" classification, of which there are 9,600 in the city, means that it "possesses some architectural or historic association."
It was built in 1924 by architect Jarvis Hunt, and opened three years later. The indoor pool was host for the Olympic trials for the 1928 games. There are 444 bedrooms and suites and it served as Northwestern graduate housing until 2005. It has sat vacant ever since.
Just this past week, I learned that the Chicago Athletic Association with buildings at 12 S. Michigan (the main one) and 71 E. Madison is in the process of selling these for development. However, here it sounds like the new owner plans to renovate instead of destroy.
Looks like this is one battle we're going to lose. Too bad they can't find another use for the building which, evidently, is quite impressive.
Win Some, Lose Some. --RoadDog
RoadDog's RoadLog Blog: Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.
The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.
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