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Northwestern University's Chicago Buildings Get Landmark Status

 Included in the designation are the Montgomery Ward Memorial Building, Wieboldt Hall of Commerce and Levy Meyer Hall (pictured) and Gary Law Library, whose addresses range from 303-361 E. Chicago Ave.
Included in the designation are the Montgomery Ward Memorial Building, Wieboldt Hall of Commerce and Levy Meyer Hall (pictured) and Gary Law Library, whose addresses range from 303-361 E. Chicago Ave.
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Northwestern University Archives

STREETERVILLE — Three buildings on Northwestern University's Chicago Campus were granted landmark status Thursday by the City Council in a vote that designated a segment of the campus an official City of Chicago landmark district.

Included in the designation are the Montgomery Ward Memorial Building, Wieboldt Hall of Commerce and Levy Meyer Hall and Gary Law Library, whose addresses range from 303-361 E. Chicago Ave.

All are Gothic Revival-style structures designed by architect James Gamble Rogers. Construction on the gray limestone buildings was completed in 1926.

All three buildings feature ornate details including arches, finials, towers and buttresses and landscaped courtyards enclosed by arcade walls fill the gaps between them.

The commission on Chicago Landmarks formally recommended the designation to City Council on June 5, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced a proposal to that effect in City Council last month.

"The buildings reflect Northwestern University’s importance to the history of Chicago and represent significant examples of work by a nationally-prominent architect," the Commission on Chicago Landmarks wrote in its formal recommendation that the buildings be named landmarks.

Terry Tatum, of the city's Department of Planning and Development, said in June that the buildings meet the 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.

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