The Laramie State Bank Building is an architectural gem located at 5200 W. Chicago Avenue in Austin. This exuberant art deco two-story building, adorned with some of the most spectacular terracotta ornament in Chicago, was designed by Architects Meyer & Cook and completed in 1929. Despite being designated as a Chicago Landmark by the City of Chicago in 1995, it has been foreclosed upon, has been vacant for approximately five years, is suffering from considerable deferred maintenance, and is frequently on the docket at Building Court.

Preservation Chicago, Landmark Illinois, and the City of Chicago, along with our preservation partners are working diligently to secure a patron that could stabilize the building, both physically and financially, and restore this exuberant landmark. We have a strong preference for a community or cultural use for the ground floor banking hall that would ensure public access to this wonderful building.

The next court hearing is scheduled for March 7, 2018 at 2:00 pm at the Richard J. Daley Center, 11th Floor. All interested individuals and organizations are welcome to attend.