ARCHITECT:
John S. Flizikowski, of the firm Flizikowski and Kaiser. Flizikowski
designed three churches and nearly 200 distinctive commercial and
residential buildings in Chicago, including the 1920 Northern Trust
and Savings Bank at 1201 N. Milwaukee, and the 1911 White Eagle
Brewing Co. building at 1140 W. 38th St. Sadly, several of his buildings
have been demolished. In the Artful Dodger, we had a stellar example
of his work that has survived, with the original detailing almost
completely intact.
ARCHITECTURE:
Affectionately referred to by the name of the pub that inhabited
its ground floor for over two decades, the orange-rated Artful Dodger
was one of the most beautiful and beloved structures in Wicker Park,
representing a mix of Queen Anne and classical-style architecture.
With its red brick construction, green trim at its window lintels
and cornice, and a corner turret topped by a peaked conical roof,
the building created a striking historic presence at a prominent
and well-trafficked urban corner.
THREAT:
In August of 2005, Alderman Ted Matlak (32nd Ward) supported a proposal
to rezone the property from RS-3 to RT-4, thus facilitating the
owner/developer1s plans to demolish the Artful Dodger and build
two single-family homes on the site. The alderman said he supported
the tear-down because the development project proposed for the site
would add parking, reduce density and eliminate space for a corner
tavern.
But despite an informal agreement between the alderman and the
Bucktown Community Organization that the BCO be consulted in such
matters, Matlak endorsed the zoning change without first referring
to the BCO. Furthermore, according to attendees at a recent meeting
of the BCO Zoning Committee, no sign was posted upon the property
for the length of time required by the City of Chicago.
Because the building was orange-rated, it had been placed on the
Demolition Delay list, which expired on February 18th, 2006.
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