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Sightlines
Featuring
Chicago's urban and suburban architectural landscape.
Also
featuring
Up or Coming - EXTRA!
with Chicagoland's latest projects.
CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS
SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES
Chinatown
Kenilworth
River North
Lemont
Greektown
Gurnee
Hyde Park
Lakeshore East
Wicker Park
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FEATURING
THE
CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD
OF
WICKER PARK
Wicker
Park is a historical but progressively trendy
neighborhood situated northwest of the Chicago Loop and is
part of the West Town community area. It is bounded by
Armitage Avenue on the north, Division Street on the south
with Ashland Avenue and Western Avenue being its eastern and
western boundaries respectively. Today the neighborhood is
best known for its numerous commercial and entertainment
establishments and being a convenient place to live for
downtown workers (due to its proximity to the Loop). As you
take stroll down Milwaukee Avenue, you can visibly see how
far the neighborhood has come as it boasts several decades
of various architectural periods. The avenue is bursting
with colorful boutiques, retro clothes stores, cafés,
restaurants and bars with an electric energy bouncing from
one side of the street to the other. It is the home to many
of Chicago's finest artisan-led galleries and shops. The
neighborhood is one of the largest communities of working
artists in Chicago. Notable past residents include Nelson
Algren who once lived in one of the most elegant Victorian
homes located south of the park. Founded in 1870, Charles
and Joel Wicker purchased the land. Its history is full of
immigrants which settled into this area most notably
Germans, Polish, and Jews dating from the late nineteenth
century. In recent times, Wicker Park has become more
ethnically diverse with an influx of Puerto Rican's and
African Americans migrating north in the 1950’s continuing
through its current threat of gentrification due to the
area's resurgence and popularity.
Architecturally, while the city's pioneering skyscrapers and
engineering marvels tend to be crammed into the Loop, the
northwest district of Wicker Park has its own rare and
beautifully maintained urban residential jewels. Nineteenth
century Victorian homes which were spared from the wrecking
ball of "progress" now make up what has been designated an
historic district since 1991. The historic district starts
at Hoyne Avenue once known as “beer baron row” because a
number of wealthy German and Scandinavian brewing tycoons
who built their mansions there in late 1800's. These
structures are almost entirely comprised of brick and stone
resulting from its residents having witnessed the
vulnerability of wood construction succumbing to the fire
1871. As you take a walking tour through the streets your
eyes are drawn too the most beautiful decorative Victorian
era details from wrought iron scrollwork, table leg columns,
and massive ornamental canopies dominating the many
entrances in eye-popping gold, ochre and blue color schemes.
Of course, the wide and varied number of noteworthy homes
and buildings would make it difficult to fully represent
this community in its entirety here, but we hope that the
few select images we found begin to shape and define for you
the wonder and beauty that is Chicago's Wicker Park.
Alexander
Buckeridge
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FEATURING THE NORTH SUBURBAN COMMUNITY
OF
GURNEE
Gurnee
was a city that was first established in the 1830’s, and
throughout most of its history it had the focus on being a
rural, farm community. Back in the 1930’s the town’s
population was a mere 503 people, where as the population
today is well off into the mid 30,000 mark. The idea of
suburbia began to flourish, and this is what made Gurnee
what it is today, a community. There is no better word than
community for Gurnee and its intentions to provide people
with a town to raise their families. The town also hosts a
wide range of architectural styles, which give the town
character. The most common style is a more contemporary
track housing, which sets up a series of large neighborhoods
where one sees backyard barbeques, kids playing in the local
park, and the friendly wave from a neighbor.
Gurnee is
also a place for attractions. Right in the center of Gurnee
is Six Flags Great America with a built on water
park, Gurnee Mills being a large outlet mall, Key Lime
Cove being a resort and indoor water park, and many
recreational spaces for residents to play in: HuntClub
Aquatic Center, Warren Township Park, Independence
Grove, Viking Park, etc. All of these attributes provide
Gurnee with a family fun atmosphere that many take advantage
of. While Gurnee is a town with huge attractions and large
numbers, it still maintains a small town feel, which
provides a nice balance between community and recreation.
Photographs by Ross Renjilian,
University of Southern California (USC)
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FEATURING THE SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN COMMUNITY
OF
LEMONT
Lemont
is
located at the crossroads of the nation's interstate system.
Interstate I-55 (Stevenson) is five miles to the North.
I-355 is the first exit off that expressway to get you to
the Northern suburbs. I-294 (Tri-State - Indiana &
Wisconsin) is just a few miles north on I-55. I-80 passes 15
miles south of Lemont; but a more convenient extension of
I-355 (leading to the Southwest suburbs) has recently been
completed with an interchange in Lemont. Settled in 1836,
and incorporated in 1873, historic Lemont is one of the
oldest and most unique communities in northeastern Illinois.
With rolling hills and three waterways providing a scenic
view, Lemont offers a peaceful atmosphere unique to the
Chicagoland area.
Lemont's
colorful early history began in the late 1830's with the
construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and with
the influx of immigrant workers who settled and remained. By
the mid 1800's, limestone quarrying became the big business
in Lemont and was the main cause of the town's growth. Many
fine local examples of buildings constructed with Lemont
limestone still exist, including the Historic Chicago Water
Tower landmark on Michigan Avenue.
To
preserve its rich history, active efforts continuously are
under way to revitalize the downtown area and maintain the
distinctive architectural presence, which exists. As
part of the transformation, millions of dollars have been
invested in revitalizing the downtown area and more work is
in process. Streetscapes, renovated buildings, small parks,
new bike paths, and linkage with other towns along the I&M
Canal National Heritage Corridor, have helped new businesses
as well as visitors and shoppers. Residential growth
has boomed, providing the prospective resident with a wide
range of housing styles and options. Hilly, tree lined
streets provide neighborhoods with a distinctive character
and quality of life.
Photographs taken by Mark
Sandrzyk, Lemont High School
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FEATURING THE NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY
OF
Kenilworth
Kenilworth
is
located approximately 17 miles north of downtown Chicago. It
is the newest of the eight Chicago suburban communities
fronting on Lake Michigan, commonly referred to as “the
North Shore”, and is the only one developed as a planned
community. The first land for the Village was purchased by
Joseph Sears in 1889: 223.6 acres, at a cost of $150,300.
Seven years later the population had reached 300 residents,
fulfilling the legal requirement for incorporation.
Joseph
Sears possessed definite ideas about how a village should be
planned. Streets were platted to maximize the availability
of sunlight in each home, utilities were placed underground,
no alleys or fences were permitted, construction standards
were high, and there were large lots and paved streets. A
village whose center lies in the family should also have a
church and a school. Mr. Sears gave land for both.
The beauty
of the village attracted many distinguished residents
including architect and town planner George W. Maher, and
early purchaser. A contemporary and colleague of Frank Lloyd
Wright, Maher, in due course, proceeded to design
approximately 37 homes in the village. His town planning
expertise and civic dedication further enriched the village
with most of the parks and civic sculpture – including the
entry fountain, stone benches, planter urns, bridges and
entry pylons – that residents enjoy today.
Photographs taken by Peter
Foradas, New Trier High School
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FEATURING THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY
OF
LAKESHORE
EAST
Lakeshore East is a new and emerging neighborhood
which occupies the high profile section of real estate along
the lakefront, just east of downtown and on the northern
edge of Chicago's Millennium Park. It is one of the
city's largest community undertakings in over 20 years.
The neighborhood consist of 7 of 18 proposed high-rises
which includes the 82-story Aqua, a cutting-edge building
designed by Chicago-based architect Jeanne Gang, a 6-acre
centrally located park, plans for 4,950 low-rise
"parkhomes," plus hotel rooms and retailers over 28 acres of
property under development by the Magellan Group.
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FEATURING THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY OF
CHINATOWN
Chinatown is a small but growing Asian
ethnic community on the near South Side of Chicago. Its
located in Armour Square and is centered around Wentworth
and Cermak Avenues. Chinatown is growing in popularity with
tourists, Chinese-Americans, and area residents for its
commercial district of restaurants, shops, and ethnic
architectural attractions.
Architectural
Attractions
-
Ping Tom Memorial Park
1999, (along the Chicago River)
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Pui Tak Center-Chicago
Landmark (2216 S. Wentworth)
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Won Kow Restaurant,
1927-28, (2233-2239 S Wentworth Avenue)
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The Moy Association
Building, 1928 & 1932, (2238 South Wentworth Avenue)
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Chinese Christian Union
Church, founded in 1903, (23 South Wentworth Ave)
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St. Therese Church, 1904
(218 West Alexander Street)
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St. Therese School,
founded 1941 (247 West 23rd Street)
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Chinese Consolidated
Benevolent Association, 1956-58 250 West 22nd Place
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Chinatown Gateway, 1975
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Cermak-Wentworth Pavilion,
1990s
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CASL's Kam Liu Center,
2004
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Nine Dragon Wall, 2004
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FEATURING THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY OF
RIVER NORTH
River
North
is a neighborhood in the Near North Side community area of
Chicago, Illinois. It is bounded by Rush Street to the east,
Chicago Avenue to the north, and the Chicago River to the
south and west. is one of Chicago’s premiere shopping
districts, and is Chicago’s Design District and Chicago’s
Gallery District and boasts world-class restaurants and
trendsetting nightclubs. Past and present meet in an
eclectic mix of modern condos, high-rise offices and hotels
that soar over vintage loft buildings with the architectural
richness of times past.
River
North has had many faces over the years. In the 1890’s,
after railroad tracks were laid along the Chicago River’s
North bank, industry moved in. Soon, the area became known
as “Smokey Hollow”. After World War II, manufacturing
declined and factories closed or were converted into
warehouses. By the mid-1970’s, it was an urban wasteland
with many neglected or abandoned buildings. Then the revival
dawned. Low real estate prices and large spaces attracted
the artistic set and creative entrepreneurs. They moved in
and began the reclamation.
Great
old buildings were rehabbed into great new galleries,
studios, offices, apartments, restaurants and shops. Unusual
boutiques are now a hallmark of River North, offering
antiques, custom housewares, home furnishings and much more.
Lofts from the 1890’s to 1920’s attracted lawyers,
architects, advertising agencies and other businesses.
River
North now boasts the highest concentration of restaurants
and entertainment venues in the city. River North is home to
the largest number of art galleries outside of Manhattan in
New York, and remains one of the fastest growing residential
neighborhood in Chicago.
Enjoy the
virtual stroll that we've provided through the neighborhood
to get a visual feel for one of Chicago's most popular
destinations.
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FEATURING THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY
OF
GREEKTOWN
Greektown is a primarily
ethnic
commercial district on the Near West Side of Chicago. Its
boundaries are defined by Van Buren Street to the south,
Madison Street to the North and along Halsted Street which
is a few blocks west of the Loop. The area was once home to
Chicago's Greek population but presently few ethnics reside
there while mostly restaurants and bars dominate the main
streetscapes. With a cultural museum, annual parade,
monuments, banners and classical architectural
embellishments and facades, Greektown remains an
identifiable cultural destination to experience for tourists
and Chicagoans alike.
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FEATURING THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY
OF
HYDE PARK
Hyde Park
is a neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, located
seven miles south of the Chicago Loop; it is home to the
Museum of Science and Industry,
The DuSable Museum of African American History and the
University of Chicago.
Hyde
Park was founded by Paul Cornell in the 1850s on the
Illinois Central Railroad south of Chicago. The community
organized as a township and was independent of Chicago until
1889. As a township, Hyde Park stretched from 39th Street
south to 135th Street, but as a neighborhood, its definition
shrank to a core area grouped closely around Cornell's
development on 53rd Street and the lakefront. Today the name
Hyde Park is applied to the neighborhood from 51st Street
("Hyde Park Blvd.") to 61st Street. The neighborhood's
eastern boundary is Lake Michigan and its western boundary
is Washington Park. Some refer to the area between 47th
Street and 51st Street ("E. Hyde Park Blvd.") as a part of
Hyde Park, although this area is technically the south half
of the
Kenwood neighborhood.
Chicago
Architecture brings you a sampling of the architectural
flavor of an area rich in style, diversity and historical
significance. This is Hyde Park.
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