Landmarks Illinois has announced the recipients of the 2018 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards—an annual program that calls attention to exceptional historic preservation projects in the state. Since 1994, the annual award has honored the people and places that preserve our state’s heritage and historic spaces.
“Celebrating the risk-takers that preserve what is most unique about our communities is a privilege, and Landmarks Illinois is proud to partner annually with the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation to elevate our honorees’ achievements,” said Bonnie McDonald, president and CEO of Landmarks Illinois. “The nine extraordinary 2018 award recipients model what is possible with vision, perseverance and a good dose of moxie. Twenty-five years is only the beginning of the revitalization they will inspire.”
The 2018 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards ceremony will take place Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago. This year’s award recipients will receive their awards as well as a $1,000 prize. This year’s recipients are listed below.
Historic Residential Hotels Preservation Planning, The Carling Hotel, Chicago: Award for Advocacy
The project transformed the 1927 former residential hotel into 80 single-room-occupancy units and included restoration of historic elements of the Renaissance Revival building. The building’s owner also commissioned a Multiple Properties Documentation Form (MPDF), a document that traces the evolution and importance of residential hotels and establishes a framework for listing this previously under-documented building type on the National Register of Historic Places.
Project principals include The Michaels Development Group, Landon Bone Baker Architects, MacRostie Historic Advisors LLC, Linn-Mathes, Inc. and Ramsey Historic Consultants, Inc.
Davis Theater, Chicago: Award for Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation project rejuvenated the 1918 Davis Theater, the longest continually operating theater in Chicago, bringing back historic elements while adding modern amenities that retain the original character of the community landmark.
Project principals include owner Tom Fencl, Kennedy Mann Architecture, Analogous Co. and MacRostie Historic Advisors LLC.
Elgin Tower Building, Elgin: Award for Adaptive Use
The adaptive use project transformed the former 1929 Home Banks Building, a 15-story, Art Deco tower, into a 44-unit market-rate housing complex. The Elgin Tower reuse, which took advantage of federal and state historic tax credits, is considered one of the most impactful projects in the City’s historic downtown in over 20 years.
Project principals include Capstone Development, Webster Design, Skender Construction and the City of Elgin.
Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities, Edwardsville: Project of the Year Award for Leadership
The project transformed the former Lincoln School, built in 1912, into a vibrant meeting space and cultural center in the Edwardsville community. The project was made possible through the unique private/public partnership of Mannie Jackson, a successful local businessman, and Lewis and Clark Community College.
Project principals include Lewis & Clark Community College, Mannie Jackson Foundation, Lincoln School Alumni Foundation and Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission.
Opera House Block, Plainfield: Award for Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation of this historic opera house included restoring the building’s north and east façade, the storefront and other original architectural features from the 1899 design. This project has anchored the revitalization of Plainfield’s historic downtown business district, while also bringing new service and entertainment options to the surrounding community.
Project principals include owner Bill Habiger, Arris Architects + Planners, Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission and Mathis Construction Inc.
Revel Motor Row, Chicago: Award for Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation project combined and transformed the former Illinois Automotive Club/Chicago Defender Building and the Cadillac Motor Car Company Showroom into an event and production space, ensuring the continued use of these Chicago Landmarks in the South Loop.
Project principals include Property Adventures, Filorama Talsma Architecture, The Engineering Studio, Inc., MacRostie Historic Advisors LLC and Skyline Plastering, Inc.
“Save Our Story – Save Our Street,” Creation of the West Burton Place Historic District, Chicago: Award for Advocacy
Residents and preservationists led a grassroots campaign to protect a significant district on West Burton Place in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood, which ultimately received landmark protection from the City of Chicago in 2016. Those behind the “Save Our Story – Save Our Street” campaign later formed the West Burton Place Neighborhood Association, which continues to work to preserve, promote and celebrate the unique artistic, cultural and historic significance of the 100 block of West Burton Place.
Project principals include Save Our Story – Save Our Street, Edgar Miller Legacy, Chicago Art Deco Society, Amy Keller, Keith Stolte, Alan Artner, Trish VanderBeke, Bill Blidy and Lisa Mayntz, Lauren Whitney, Sophie Levy-Kohn and Jannine Aldinger
Van Leer’s Broadview Mansion, Normal: Award for Stewardship
The Immanuel Bible Foundation, owner of the Van Leer Broadview Mansion and its three-acre estate, and the Town of Normal collaborated to ensure the historic home would be protected in the future, a partnership that can serve as a model for other communities that wish to preserve a historic building. The Town agreed to assist with maintenance expenses for Van Leer’s Broadview Mansion, a 1906 home, in exchange for the Foundation’s consent to designate the property a local landmark.
Project principals include Mayor of Normal Chris Koos, Town of Normal and Immanuel Bible Foundation.
State Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry), State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford), State Rep. Steven Andersson (R-Geneva) and State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria): President’s Award for Legislator of the Year
These four state legislators are being honored jointly as champions of historic preservation who have been instrumental in enacting preservation legislation in Illinois. Most recently, all four legislators played significant roles in passing legislation that improved the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Historic Tax Credit and created a statewide historic tax credit for Illinois—a bill that Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law in July 2018. Both Sen. Althoff and Rep. Andersson are co-chairs of the Illinois Historic Preservation Legislative Caucus and will be retiring in January 2019 at the end of their current terms.
