The four Lakeview Avenue row houses at 2700-10 North Lakeview Avenue became a Designated Chicago Landmark in 2016. Designed by David Adler and completed in 1917, these Georgian-style townhomes overlook the northern portion of Lincoln Park. This elegant cluster of residences was designed as a community for a close-knit group of wealthy, young, bachelor artists and architects centered around Mrs. Emily Ryerson, an artist and leader of the group.
Emily Ryerson’s interest in gathering her young artist friends around her was likely related to the loss of her oldest son Arthur Jr. and her husband Arthur Ryerson in 1912. Her oldest son was killed in a car accident and the Ryersons traveled back from Europe to the funeral on the Titanic. Emily and her three children were rescued from a lifeboat, but Arthur stayed behind and went down with the ship.
While all exterior elements were drawn from historical Georgian design, each home had a unique identity with distinctive doorways and window styles. The townhouses share a similar exterior appearance of bright white limestone, dark brick, and elegant wrought-iron fences and balconies. Interiors of the four townhouses were personalized per the unique preferences of their respective owners. The townhouses were designed around an enclosed light court or exterior court yard to maximize natural light. Interestingly, all homes shared a centralized heating plant and a common garage for the automobiles of each of the owners.
Renamed as Adler on the Park, the landmark building is being renovated by Foster Design Build after serving as Thresholds recovery center since 1972. There are two options moving forward, either to redivide into large, high-end townhomes or to renovate as a large single family home. A ballroom and large parlor will be preserved in either scenario.
Preservation Chicago supported the landmarking of this important and distinctive building. The project is being developed by Bob Berg of Foster Design Build, a preservation sensitive developer. Berg said Foster Design Build “takes on unique, significantly historic properties. We like to save them and help neighborhoods retain their character. We really get excited about these kinds of projects and researching their history.”(Cox, DNAinfo)
Preservation Chicago considers the single family home restoration option to be preferable as it would allow greater flexibility to restore the existing historic elements.
Lincoln Park Row Houses Could Be Turned Into One Massive Home, Ted Cox, DNAinfo, 5/1/17
Lakeview Avenue Row House District Landmark Designation Report, 9/1/16