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f.w. perkins' designed mansion becomes the first target on chicago's 2017 demolition delay hold list

chicago's demolition delay hold list for 2017 has its first target - a stunning "foursquare" style 1905 roman brick and carved stone mansion designed by frederick wainwright perkins. it has been home to the serbian american museum since 1952. the permit for its demolition was secured on january 23, 2017. after quickly reviewing google maps to catch a glance at the facade, i made time yesterday afternoon to visit the house and create a visual record of it with my camera.

the roman style brick exterior is bedecked with a great deal of ornament, including the centrally located dormer with original double-sash window and surrounding carved indiana limestone cartouche, volutes and lion heads. the visually striking front porch is accentuated with three-sided carved stone (painted white) neoclassical ornament wrapped around each load-bearing brick column. the staircase window on the west wall is comprised of leaded art glass, outlined in highly decorative bands of shells, floral motifs, and rosettes. even the chimney stacks feature ornamental cast iron tie-rod anchor plates.

it's truly shocking to think that such a stately turn of the century chicago mansion would ever be considered a candidate for destruction. i hope the wheels have already been set in motion to prevent this house from being destroyed during its 90 day hold period, which allows the city's department of planning and development to explore various options to preserve the structure. i don't want to return later this year at the arrival of the wrecking machines, which will reduce the mansion to rubble in a matter of days. i made a promise to myself this year to take a break from documenting the death of chicago's past, but nearly a month into the new year, that promise has clearly been broken - and building season hasn't even begun.

 



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