UPTOWN — Ald. James Cappleman (46th) has thrown his support behind the push to landmark the former Nick's Uptown building that was purchased by Thorek Memorial Hospital in September.
The more than 7,000-square-foot building at 4015-4017 N. Sheridan Road with Egyptian motifs adorning its facade was designed by architect Paul Gerhard in the Egyptian revival style and built in the 1920s.
Nick's owner agreed to sell the building earlier this month to Thorek Memorial Hospital, 850 W. Irving Park Road. The sale sparked concerns among residents that the distinctive structure was destined for demolition — and spurred an application for landmark status on the building's behalf.
Cappleman's backing could help the application's chances of success. He told constituents in a newsletter last week that, "Due to both my concern and hearing from many of you that this building was at risk for being demolished," he reached out to historic preservation officials with the city "and asked for their assessment of this building's historic value."
"Based on their recommendation, I will be supporting efforts to pursue Chicago landmark status for this building," Cappleman said. "It's one of three buildings left in Chicago that has an Egyptian motif design, which when combined with other criteria, deems it as a building that deserves protection from the threat of demolition."
There's no meeting date posted for when the landmarks commission will officially decide the building's fate.
But the alderman said he spoke with Thorek and officials there agreed that the building is worth saving.
The hospital already owns vacant lots at West Irving Park and North Sheridan Road adjacent to the former Nick's. Thorek plans to "eventually build a health-related development," at Irving and Sheridan, according to Cappleman.
