Humboldt Park’s historic Pioneer Arcade building would be designated as an official Chicago Landmark under a proposal submitted today to City Council.

Built in 1925 at 1535-45 N. Pulaski Road, the three-story structure features an ornate terra cotta facade with Spanish Baroque Revival-style details designed by Danish-born Chicago architect Jens Jensen. As a social and recreation center, the interior originally featured 20 bowling lanes with room for 600 spectators and a billiard room that accommodated 35 tables, among other amenities and ground floor retail spaces that catered to the rapidly expanding community.

The proposed designation would protect all exterior elevations from demolition or alteration while accommodating a planned six-story affordable apartments project by the property owner, Hispanic Housing Development Corp.