Urban Remains Chicago News and Events

the hartwell houses will be facing the wrecking ball within the next few weeks. the adjoining victorian era three-flats were built for lumber baron edwin s. hartwell’s two children in 1885 by architect julius h. huber. each unit contains a large red slip-glaze terra cotta bust, depicting both son and daughter in costume, surrounded by intricate floral motifs. i’ve reached...

urban remains is currently in the early stages of self-publishing a limited edition, hardbound photo-book entitled “salvaged chicago.” the book will consist of a curated collection of photography offering a glimpse into urban remains owner eric j. nordstrom’s experiences pertaining to the exploration and deconstruction of chicago’s most historic buildings undergoing demolition.  

The sheer variety of rare and unusual pieces here is mind-blowing. Between the huge warehouse in Chicago’s West Town and the online catalog, this architectural antique store is like a museum where everything is for sale. From stained and leaded glass windows, to historic building hardware and 1920s Farie lamps, Toledo stools and industrial tables, antique electrical devices, the odd...

urban remains has recently acquired a sizeable amount of meticulously documented original building elements removed from the historic reliance building after nearly 16 years in off-site storage. the majority of the artifacts found in storage were either replaced with faithful reproductions or were rendered obsolete under current day building codes during a lengthy restoration occurring in the 1990's. building materials...

sadly, the massive, intricately designed "sullivanesque" unglazed and speckled terra cotta frieze, adorning the facade of the c. 1905 michael reese hospital (designed by the architectural firm of garden, martin and schmidt), was destroyed in early may of 2011. in addition, nearly 300 terra cotta figural lion heads flanking the ends of the window sills were lost as well. any...

the michael reese hospital "salvage" was no doubt a formidable experience on a multitude of levels. the logistics surrounding the acquisition and removal component seemed rather straight forward and largely uneventful in the beginning, despite the fact that we were faced with a partially abandoned 28 building complex with very little, if any, operable utilities. however, as the project began...