Thursday, March 16, 2006

The Krumbach Building, 1922



This Art Deco terra cotta building is one of the few in the area that's survived Loyola encroachment. The frieze under the cornice shows the Chicago skyline from the 20s.

I started this drawing just before I went on paternity leave and finished it last week. No larger project in mind for this picture, but maybe I can use it for something down the line. Birthday present, maybe?


3 comments:

  1. Hi. I love, love, love your website!!! Thank you. I'm looking forward to going blind reading thru all of it. I'm commenting because I am looking for information on the Krumbach Building. Supposedly this was a showroom for the Northwestern Terracotta Co. I think Loyola is planning to tear it and its neighbor down for their expansion (real-estate speculation) project. Any information you might provide me would be greatly appreciated. Of course, you've already provided so much and big thank you for that! :) My name is Mitch Brown - mitchellbrown228@gmail.com

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  2. Thanks Mitchell! I'm afraid I don't know much more about the Krumbach Building beyond its entry in the AIA Guide to Chicago. But it is an orange-rated building in the Chicago Historic Resources Survey, and it might qualify as a City of Chicago Landmark, which would provide protection. Unfortunately it's difficult to achieve landmark designation for a building that's under threat. Not impossible, just very very very difficult.

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  3. Maybe I can get Blair Kamin to say something about the building. Well, I'm gonna try anyway - can't hurt. Loyola certainly can't be trusted as a caretaker of our built environment. Great blog btw.

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