Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Page With Report Links (Website)

Founded in 1890, Columbia College Chicago has become one of the largest coeducational arts and communications colleges in the country. Built between 1886 and 1930, Columbia's eclectic group of nine buildings was designed by renowned architects such as William Le Baron Jenney and the firm of Holabird and Root, who helped make Chicago an epicenter of modern architecture. Grant funds will support the historic research and comprehensive evaluation of each building, leading to the development of preservation recommendations and determination of the buildings' eligibility for local and national historic designation.

Columbia College received a Getty grant in 2004 for $150,000 to support campus heritage planning.

Report Summary

Purpose: The college acquired a collection of buildings piecemeal over the years. Grant funds will support historic research and comprehensive evaluation for each building, leading to the development of preservation recommendations and determination of the buildings' eligibility for local and national historic designation.

Historic Designation: Since the project will create a basis for establishing a historic designation, site significance was measured by National Register of Historic Places criteria. The campus as a whole has no current historic designation, but several campus buildings have been designated individually or as part of a historic district adjacent to the campus:

• Chicago Women’s Building, now Getz Building: 600 S. Michigan Avenue was designated a Chicago Historic Landmark in 1993 for contribution to the significance of the Michigan Boulevard Landmark District
• Harvester Building, Musical College Building, and Sherwood School of Music: 600, 624-626, and 1014 S. Michigan Ave. were designated Chicago Historic Landmarks in 1993
• Lakeside Press Building, now a dormitory: 731 S. Plymouth Court was designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and again as part of the South Loop Printing House Row Historic District in 1978. The District as a whole was designated a Chicago Historic Landmark in 1996.
• Ludington Building: 1104 S. Wabash Avenue was designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and a Chicago Historic Landmark in 1996. Christian Eckstorm designed both this building and the first fully realized skyscraper
• Architects include the renowned William LeBaron Jenney as well as Holabird and Root, in the vanguard of Chicago’s modern design.

Planning Process:

• Buildings were researched individually, with a historical and archaeological assessment regarding landmark eligibility. Architectural elements were surveyed and assessed, based on exterior observation from ground level and from rooftop level plus interior observation of lighting; the elements were categorized, or zoned, for treatment according to National Register of Historic Places criteria for significance (i.e., zoned for preservation, rehabilitation, or no action). Mechanical and structural engineers assisted with interior observation.

• There is no indication of student involvement

Outcomes: Products

• Comprehensive, illustrated inventory of campus buildings, available to serve as a campus-wide planning guide
• Condition photos of each building, documenting their baseline condition
• Condition assessment charts for each building’s elements, organized by treatment zone
• Prioritized recommendations for architectural, lighting, and mechanical-electrical treatment
• Guides for terminology, architectural styles, and material assessment and treatment
• Assessment of each building’s significance within Chicago’s urban landscape
• Zoning classification for recommendations and warnings, categorized by preservation, rehabilitation, observation only, caution, and potential impact

Outcomes: Policies and Plans

• Nominate 72 E. 11th St. for designation as a Chicago Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places
• Nominate 600, 624-626, and 1014 S. Michigan Ave. for designation on the National Register of Historic Places and for their contribution to the significance of the Michigan Boulevard Landmark District
• Not nominate for designation 33 E. Congress Parkway, the Congress-Wabash (or Bank) Building

No unique features in the process or on the web

Advisors: The contractors credit college staff for administrative assistance.