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Northwestern's Downtown Gothic Revival Buildings Designated as Landmarks

By Ted Cox | June 5, 2014 5:03pm
 Northwestern University's Levy Meyer Hall was one of three Gothic Revival buildings on the Chicago campus granted landmark status.
Northwestern University's Levy Meyer Hall was one of three Gothic Revival buildings on the Chicago campus granted landmark status.
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Northwestern University

CITY HALL — The Commission on Chicago Landmarks moved Thursday to apply landmark status to three Gothic Revival buildings on Northwestern University's Chicago Campus.

The commission unanimously approved the move for the Montgomery Ward Memorial Building, the Wieboldt Hall of Commerce and the Levy Meyer Hall and Gary Law Library, from 303-361 E. Chicago Ave. All three were designed by architect James Gamble Rogers, known for his work on college buildings across the nation, and were constructed in 1925-26.

Terry Tatum, of the city's Department of Planning and Development, said they met four criteria for landmark status in his report: historic importance, as examples of Gothic architecture and of Rogers' work, and as a distinctive district.

The university consented and supported the landmark status.

Gail Spreen, president of the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, testified that the group had designated the buildings for preservation in its original plan for the neighborhood in 2005.

"We're proud to have participated in the entire process," Spreen said, calling the three buildings "all magnificent structures," and adding, "We're glad to finally get it to this level and make sure these buildings are protected."

The City Council still must give final approval of the landmark status at its next meeting.

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