historically important interior goldblatt's building staircase ornament added to bldg. 51 museum

several original single-sided documented brushed and refurbished cast iron staircase panels recently entered the bldg. 51 collection: the exquisite cast iron ornament exhibit symmetrical and restrained floral motif inside overlapping geometric shapes that once adorned the stairs of a historic uptown building whose alteration is intertwined with the upheaval of early 20^th century businesses that have shaped the neighborhood.

the goldblatt’s chain began as many businesses in chicago, via the steadfast entrepreneurship of immigrants, whose endeavors would far outlast the founding generation. in 1905, simon and hannah goldblatt arrived from poland with their sons. they made a living on chicago’s west side through a family-run grocery store and butcher shop. nearly a decade after their arrival, sons, maurice and nathan goldblatt, would go on to open their own store at chicago and ashland avenue - a business that would last for the next 90 years. founded in 1914, the mid-sized discount department store met immediate success, and went on to thrive not only in chicago but the wider midwest. goldblatt’s wares were culled from overstock and retailers’ mistakes. as such, the business not only weathered but fared well during the great depression. after the war, younger brothers louis and joel goldblatt led the company toward its peak of operations, encompassing over 20 stores, and offering higher end products. they accordingly established a flagship store on state street and van buren in the mid-1930’s, offering small appliances, a deli, and confectioneries.

in 1931, goldblatt’s became the new occupants of the 4700-4740 block. they superseded late 19^th century dry goods maven loren miller & co., whose 5 story emporium had occupied the uptown square storefront through the 1920’s. thus goldblatt’s came to inhabit the white terra cotta william klewer-designed loft building, which loren miller had enlarged by acquiring the neo-classical bank building to the north.

by the 1960’s goldblatt’s struggled alongside new chain retailers, and this competition eventually drove goldblatt’s to bankruptcy. even so, goldblatt’s attempted to rebound by downsizing and reorienting to again serve low income families. beyond 2000, however, goldblatt’s would no longer inhabit the urban landscape.

while the discount chain was historic in its own right, goldblatt’s decline also heralded disruption for the buildings it occupied. at the aforementioned uptown location goldblatt’s demise signaled danger for the entire block, which soon enticed swift action from developers who would disregard the block’s historic integrity.

in the end redevelopment put at risk the plymouth hotel, a c.1912 george kingsley-designed structure at the southern portion of the triangle surrounded by racine, leland and broadway. just 13 years ago, this 2003 redevelopment project bypassed preservationist and community advocates who called for adaptive reuse. little regard was given for the fact the plymouth – later renamed the uptown hotel – was designed by the architect of the egyptian-revival reebie warehouse, or for the fact that it once lodged many respected silent film stars working at the nearby essanay movie studios. for the better part of the 20^th century, the dark brick building, featuring cream and green terra cotta ornamentation, contained 14 stores and 17 offices, as well as an apartment hotel of 144 rooms. in 1926, loren miller and company bought the hotel, and gave its new name. into the late 20^th century, demolition arrived in the aftermath of goldblatt’s closing, replacing the hotel with a 2-story commercial and residential condo.

the double-sided metal panels hail from the interior of this “gut” job at the former goldblatt’s. they hold a dual glimpse into the booming heyday of uptown, and into a moment of significant change for buildings at the apex of the neighborhood.