The distinctive terra cotta eagles that so clearly distinguished the orange-rated “Eagles Building” at Broadway and Sheridan have returned! The original building was demolished, but as part of the redevelopment agreement for the site the decorative terra cotta was carefully removed and has been re-installed as part of the new mixed-use development.
With its series of repeating terra cotta eagles, Preservation Chicago had initially opposed the demolition of the two-story Isaac G. Ettleson building at 3835-3845 N. Broadway from 1911 by architect Harry Hale Waterman. However, when it became clear that the demolition would proceed, efforts shifted towards reuse of the historic terra cotta onto the new building façade. A new structural system and structure would be built and the original historic terra cotta cladding reused.
Preservation Chicago applauds the developer David Gassman for embracing the responsibility of carefully handling the unique terra cotta ornament and following through on his commitment to salvage, reuse and reinstall it. The developer hired architecture salvage expert firm Central Building & Restoration to do the work, with supervision from restoration architect Paul Clausen. Most of the eagle terra cotta ornament and other decorative terra cotta ornament were successfully salvaged and reapplied to the new structure.
After the Medic Building debacle (Chicago 7 2013) where Novak Construction did not follow through on the verbal agreement with Preservation Chicago and the Alderman’s office to reuse façade components of the original Art Deco building in their new Whole Foods development at Ashland and Belmont, Preservation Chicago worked closely with 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman’s office, the City of Chicago Landmarks staff and developer David Gassman to formalize the reuse plan in a written agreement. Preservation Chicago remained in close contact with the development team throughout the deconstruction and reconstruction process to offer support, guidance and to ensure a good outcome.