“Neighbors on a rare stretch of historical greystones in Lakeview are scrambling to stop a full demolition they say could permanently alter the character of their block.

“Residents of the 1300 block of West Newport Avenue recently learned a developer plans to tear down a century-old greystone at 1300 W. Newport Ave. and replace it with a modern two-flat.

“The demolition permit was granted this month to PLD Homes following a private sale of the greystone. Now, the community is working to halt the demolition — or, at the very least, convince the developer to preserve the building’s iconic facade, which neighbors say helps define one of the last intact greystone blocks in the city.

“‘The north side of the block has been completely untouched by modern development,’ said neighbor Bret Rietow. ‘We’re trying to reach out and actually rescue the home, either by buying it ourselves or putting a hold on the demolition, but the developer doesn’t care. They’re going to knock it down.’

“‘Most of our houses, if not all, have been gut rehabbed, but they’ve maintained the original facade,’ Rietow said.

“Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, said the situation on Newport Avenue is emblematic of a broader preservation crisis facing many of Chicago’s neighborhoods.

“‘“We don’t have a lot of tools in our city to protect the historic built environment, which is really tragic for America’s city of architecture,’ Miller said. ‘The idea of these neighborhood buildings being under threat is something that’s really ramped up in the last 25 years.’

“Miller pointed to a nearby stretch on Newport Avenue — between Halsted and Clark streets — that was landmarked in 2005 after facing a similar demolition threat.

“Built between 1891 and 1928, the block features a highly intact collection of brick- and stone-fronted three-flats that ‘exemplify the high-quality, working-class residential architecture that once defined much of Chicago’s neighborhoods,’ according to the city’s landmarks website.

“The landmark designation protects the facades and rooflines of the homes, preserving the street’s historical character and visual continuity. A landmark district does not stop owners from remodeling their homes.

“‘People fear landmarking more than they should, but it’s a proven planning tool that stabilizes neighborhoods,’ Miller said.

“While the city is in clear need of more housing — especially affordable housing — neighbors on Newport said they aren’t opposed to adding new homes to their block or anywhere else in Chicago.

“Preservationists like Miller argue that there are better ways to meet that demand without sacrificing historical buildings that define neighborhood character.

“‘If affordable housing is really a goal, then the most affordable home is the one that already exists,’ Miller said. ‘Demolishing a beautiful, well-crafted building and replacing it with something new — whether larger or not — almost always drives up property values and taxes. That disrupts the block and the community.’

“Although it might be too late for the greystone at 1300 W. Newport — with a demolition permit already issued and the house being fenced off and wrecking ball ready — redevelopments like this usually spur action, Miller said.

“‘Oftentimes it takes a threat like this to motivate neighbors,’ Miller said. ‘We as a city need to figure out how to protect these blocks and these neighborhoods. We need aldermanic support, support from the fifth floor at City Hall, and we need owners who want to keep the look, feel and spirit of the neighborhoods they live in.'” (Filbin, Block Club Chicago, 7/31/25)

Read the full story at Block Club Chicago

• Century-Old Greystone In Lakeview To Be Demolished, But Neighbors Are Fighting To Save It; Neighbors hope to convince the developer to save the building’s facade and preserve the architectural unity of one of the last intact blocks of its kind. “Something significant in Chicago’s history is being lost,” one neighbor said, Patrick Filbin, Block Club Chicago, 7/31/25
• Demolition Permitted For 1910 Home At 1300 West Newport Avenue In The Southport Corridor, Daniel Schell, Chicago YIMBY, 7/23/25
• No Reprieve For 1300 West Newport, As Demolition Claims Vintage Greystone Façade, Daniel Schell, Chicago YIMBY, 8/5/25