“The Bryn Mawr Historic District is officially a Chicago landmark.
“City Council approved the landmarking Wednesday, concluding a lengthy series of approvals needed in a process that started in the spring.
“The city’s Commission on Chicago Landmarks found that the historic district met four out of seven criteria needed to be considered for landmark status: It’s a critical part of the city’s heritage, it has important architecture, it has works from important architects and it has a distinctive theme as a district. At a minimum, a potential landmark must meet two criteria.
“According to Preservation Chicago, landmark districts are intended to ‘maintain the character and beauty of their neighborhood; prevent the demolition of historically significant homes, buildings, and streetscapes; and protect the neighborhood against tear-downs and over-development.’
“The new landmark district — which is considered the first business district in the neighborhood — spans Bryn Mawr Avenue from Broadway to Sheridan Road, including notable buildings like the Edgewater Beach Apartments, 5555 N. Sheridan Road, and Belle Shore Apartment Hotel, 5550 N. Kenmore Ave.
“The district has some of the oldest structures in Edgewater, including some dating back to the 1890s, Edgewater Historical Society President John Holden previously told Block Club.
“The Bryn Mawr Historic District is already on the National Register of Historic Places, but becoming a Chicago landmark opens it up to additional financial incentives and opportunities, like the Adopt-A-Landmark program, which makes grants available for restoration projects.
“Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th), whose ward includes the new landmark district, applauded the landmarking and said it would bring ‘much-needed attention and investment’ to the area.
“‘The Bryn Mawr Historic District is a cultural and architectural treasure, and today we ensured that this important piece of Edgewater and Chicago history will be enjoyed for generations to come,’ Manaa-Hoppenworth said in a Wednesday statement that gave thanks to Landmarks Illinois and the Edgewater Historical Society. ‘Over the last three years we have worked alongside the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce on beautification projects, cultural events, and most importantly filling 15 vacant storefronts along Bryn Mawr, and we’re not done yet.’
“The landmarking process had also seemingly saved one of the district’s historic buildings from being knocked down. While the city was pursuing landmarking the historic district, developer Harlem Irving Companies applied for a demolition permit to knock down a building within the district at 1114 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
“The developer was hoping to demolish it — along with two neighboring buildings at 1106 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. and 5614 N. Winthrop Ave. — in order to build a six-story apartment building with 95 apartments and about 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, the group said previously.
“But the city denied the demolition permit for 1114 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. — while issuing permits for the other two buildings to be demolished — arguing the structure contributes to the historic district because it displays elements of Classical Revival style. Demolishing it would have an ‘adverse affect’ on the historic district, the city said.” (Savedra, Block Club Chicago, 9/23/26)
Preservation Chicago is thrilled with the final designation of the Bryn Mawr Historic District. Preservation Chicago worked for years with the Edgewater Historical Society and the 48th Ward toward this designation, and we testified in support at the Commission on Chicago Landmarks hearings. Special thanks to John Holden, LeRoy Blommaert, Thom Greene, Genell Scheurell and Todd Baisch and Kathy Gemperly of the Edgewater Historical Society, to Landmarks Illinois, the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, and Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth.
Preservation Chicago has proposed a set-back compromise for new construction at 1114 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue. This approach would incorporate the 1909 Classical Revival building into the new construction, allowing Harlem Irving Companies to build its 95-unit development while retaining the building’s contribution to the streetscape. We urge Harlem Irving Companies to work with the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, the Department of Planning and Development, Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth, the Edgewater Historical Society and community members toward this solution.
Chicago Landmark designation makes property owners in the district eligible for the Class L property tax incentive, the Adopt-a-Landmark Fund and federal historic tax credits. Preservation Chicago encourages owners along Bryn Mawr Avenue to use them.
Read the full story at Block Club Chicago
- Edgewater’s Bryn Mawr Historic District Becomes A Chicago Landmark; The district includes Bryn Mawr Avenue from Broadway to Sheridan Road and famed residences like the Edgewater Beach Apartments, Madison Savedra, Block Club Chicago, 9/23/26
- Bryn Mawr Historic District A Step Closer To Landmark Status; The city’s landmarks commission also denied a permit for a developer to demolish a building in the Edgewater district to make way for an apartment building, Madison Savedra, Block Club Chicago, 7/9/26
- Bryn Mawr Historic District Landmarking Could Derail 100-Unit Apartment Project, Developer Says, Madison Savedra, Block Club Chicago, 6/16/26
- Edgewater’s historic Bryn Mawr Avenue heads toward possible landmark status, Lee Bey, Chicago Sun-Times, 5/7/26
- Bryn Mawr’s Big Bounce Back: How Edgewater’s Retail District Went From Pandemic Low To Renaissance, Block Club Chicago, 8/6/25
- WIN: Bryn Mawr Historic District Granted Preliminary Landmark Designation; Preservation Chicago, 4/2026
- Bryn Mawr Avenue District, A Chicago Landmark District, www.ChicagoLandmarkReports.org
- Chicago Landmark Districts; Preservation Chicago