Landmarks Commission honors Chicago's best preservation projects

September 3, 2009

17 honorees presented with 2009 "Preservation Excellence Awards"

Peter Strazzabosco    312.744.2976

The rehabilitation of one of Chicago's largest and most historic hotels, an uncovered and restored Louis Sullivan ornament on a downtown commercial building, a rehabilitated railroad bridge, and several neighborhood preservation projects are among the winners of this year's "Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence."

Bestowed to 17 recipients today by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, the awards recognize outstanding improvements to designated landmarks and properties within Chicago landmark districts.

"The Preservation Excellence Awards help to showcase the types of projects that make landmark buildings, structures and districts as vital today as when they were built," said David Mosena, chairman of the 10-member Landmarks Commission. "It's also a great way to acknowledge the essential role that property owners and businesses have in protecting Chicago's historic assets and advancing the City's architectural legacy."

The honorees include adaptive reuse projects, interior and exterior rehabilitations, new additions, and new construction. Each project went through the commission's permit review process and some utilized city incentives. An additional award recognizes a public outreach effort.

Images and information about the winners are available below.

The Commission on Chicago Landmarks recommends buildings and districts for landmark protection to City Council. It also works with homeowners, businesses, organizations and developers to promote the preservation and maintenance of historic properties. The Commission has given Preservation Excellence Awards every year since 1998.

To date, Chicago has 282 individual landmark buildings, monuments and sites, and 59 landmark districts encompassing more than 9,200 structures that are protected by the Landmarks Ordinance.

 

Palmer House Hilton

310-318 South Michigan

1138 North Hoyne

1448 North Milwaukee

1626 North Leavitt

1909 North Humboldt

5804 West Race

10540 South Longwood

11304 South Forrestville

Armitage Brown Line CTA Station

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Bridge

Haskell-Barker-Atwater Buildings

Logan Square Comfort Station

Quinn Chapel

South Shore Cultural Center

The Burnham Plan Centennial Committee

West Town State Bank