“Artist Roger Brown’s former home and studio has cleared another key hurdle toward landmark status, months after preservationists warned the 19th-century building could be torn down.

“The Commission on Chicago Landmarks’ Program Committee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend the designation for the property at 1926 N. Halsted St.

“The commission cited the building’s value as a critical part of Chicago’s cultural heritage and its identification with Brown, a leading figure in the city’s Imagist art movement.

“Brown, who lived and worked in the three-story Halsted Street home from 1974 until shortly before his death, used the building as a combined residence, studio and display space.

“After he donated the property to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1996, the school ran it as the Roger Brown Study Collection for more than two decades, offering students a rare opportunity to study the life and work of one of Chicago’s most influential artists.

“His paintings are held in major museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

“The property became a focus of preservation efforts last year after SAIC listed it for sale. Alumni, former students and preservation groups quickly mobilized, submitting letters and nearly 600 signatures calling for protection of the home.

“Susannah Ribstein, a historic preservation alum of SAIC who helped organize the open letter, said the support reflected the building’s unique role in Chicago’s artistic community.” (Filbin, Block Club Chicago, 4/3/26)

“‘The façade won’t change,’ said Jeremy Fisher, whose rehab partner Ben Yeshurun bought the property, a classic 19th century Chicago commercial building with a storefront at sidewalk level and living space above. Inside, Fisher said, “it will be fun and contemporary, and we’ll try to have some of (Brown’s) influence and overall aesthetic.’

“‘We’re very excited about being able to buy a piece of Chicago history and bring it back to its glory,’ said Fisher, who will oversee design of the rehab. He said the asking price for the finished product is not yet certain, as there’s a lot of rehab ahead.’ (Rodkin, Crain’s Chicago Business, 4/8/26)

Preservation Chicago has been working closely with Preservation Partners to mount a Rapid Response advocacy campaign to landmark the Roger Brown Home and Studio. We’re thrilled that the building will be protected, but we are highly disappointed by the decision of the School of the Art Institute to sell off all the contents of the collection. Liquidation was not the intent when the School of the Art Institute was entrusted with this important collection.

Read the full story at Block Club Chicago and Crain’s Chicago Business

• Art Institute sells former home of artist Roger Brown to rehabbers, Dennis Rodkin, Crain’s Chicago Business, 4/8/26
• Artist Roger Brown’s Lincoln Park Home Nears Landmark Status; The 19th-century Halsted Street building was the Imagist painter’s residence and studio. It now awaits approval by the city’s zoning committee and the full City Council., deserves protection as the sale of the property continues, Patrick Filbin, Block Club Chicago, 4/3/26
• Artist Roger Brown’s Lincoln Park Home And Studio Moves Closer To Landmark Status; Preservationists say the 19th-century Halsted Street building, once home to the famed imagist painter, deserves protection as the sale of the property continues, Patrick Filbin, Block Club Chicago, 11/26/25
• Preservationists rush to head off potential demolition of Roger Brown home, Dennis Rodkin, Crain’s Chicago Business, 9/19/25
• Roger Brown Home and Studio secures preliminary landmark; The 1888 home and studio building stands at 1926 N. Halsted, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 11/24/25
• ‘Incredibly important’ Imagist Roger Brown gave his collection to Chicago. How’d it end up in Wisconsin? As a new exhibition opens in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, some in the art world ponder whether the School of the Art Institute let slip a key piece of the city’s cultural history, Kyle MacMillan, WBEZ Chicago, 10/16/25
• Artist Roger Brown’s longtime home and studio for sale by School of the Art Institute, Dennis Rodkin, Crain’s Chicago Business, 9/12/25
• Landmark the Roger Brown Home and Studio — or lose it forever, Elizabeth Blasius and Susannah Ribstein Op-Ed, Chicago Tribune, 9/19/25
• The Future of Roger Brown’s Home & Studio, Rachel Freundt, Architecture and History of Chicagoland, 9/22/25
• Can Preservationists Save Artist Roger Brown’s Former Lincoln Park Home From Demolition? The famed artist’s Halsted Street residence and studio is under contract. Advocates want the city to landmark it before its history is lost, Patrick Filbin, Block Club Chicago, 9/23/25
• Open Letter to Preserve, Don’t Demolish, The Roger Brown Home and Studio
• Roger Brown Study Collection, Time Tells, Vince Michael Blog
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago to Sell its Roger Brown Study Collection to Kohler Foundation, School of the Art Institute
• Roger Brown House, 1926 N Halsted St, Chicago Listing