Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

River Park's Field House Dubbed A 'Treasure,' Slated For Roof Repairs

 River Park's fieldhouse is one of dozens designed by the overlooked Clarence Hatzfeld, whose work has stood the test of time.
Clarence Hatzfeld Fieldhouses
View Full Caption

LINCOLN SQUARE — He might not be as well-known as Frank Lloyd Wright, Daniel Burnham or Mies van der Rohe, but architect Clarence Hatzfeld has arguably made as much of a mark on Chicago as his more famous peers.

Dozens of buildings designed by Hatzfeld (1873-1943), who was particularly prolific during the 1920s, are not only still standing, but continue to serve as the beating hearts of neighborhoods across the city.

These community hubs are Chicago Park District field houses, found in Independence Park, Kilbourn Park, Indian Boundary Park, Eugene Field, Revere Park, Jefferson Memorial Park and River Park — to name just a handful of Hatzfeld's contributions to the city's landscape.

As part of the recently announced "Save Chicago's Treasures" program, Hatzfeld's River Park field house, at 5100 N. Francisco Ave., is one of 20 Park District buildings tapped for a collective $26 million in improvements.

"Maintaining the city’s historic neighborhood gems are the essential investments that improve the quality of life for residents, build strong neighborhoods and create a better Chicago," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said.

According to a Park District spokeswoman, major roof repairs will take place at River Park and finish up this year.

The field house was built in 1929. Hatzfeld's signature brick design features a three-story central section with a wing on either side.

In addition to his work for the Park District, Hatzfeld also became something of a go-to guy for Masonic temples, some of which are still in use, albeit not by their original owners.

Hatzfeld's Logan Square Masonic Temple is now home to the Armitage Baptist Church, and the one-time Myrtle Masonic Temple in Old Irving Park is being gutted on the inside but preserved on the outside as Eris Brewery and Cider House.

His seven-story South Side Masonic Temple, built in 1921 at 6400 S. Green St., hasn't fared as well, frequently appearing on preservation groups’ “most endangered” lists.

While Hatzfeld is perhaps best known for his public and commercial buildings, he also designed private homes, including at least 20 in the Villa historic district. (It likely didn't hurt that his brother-in-law Albert Haentze was one of the community's developers.)

In 2000, one of Hatzfeld's more prominent Villa homes was named to Chicago magazine's list of the city's "30 most beautiful houses."

As is typical for any architect, Hatzfeld had his share of lost commissions. Among them: A field house for Hollywood Park that never came to fruition. Frances O'Cherony Archer recounted the history of the failed field house on her blog "Me and My Shadow," which chronicles life, past and present, on the North Side.

 

Athletic Field Park #chicago #athleticfieldpark #chicagodistrictpark #building #tree #fitness #sports #athletic #field #park

A post shared by Nery Encarnacion (@neryencarnacion) on