CHICAGO-A North Michigan Avenue building designed by architect Philip B. Maher will receive landmark designation under a preliminary recommendation by a city commission. However, the owner of the 11-story building at 664 N. Michigan Ave. already is talking with city officials about a permit to fix a deteriorating façade on the upper floors.
“We're caught in a very perilous dilemma,” attorney Jack Guthman told the Commission on Chicago Landmarks recently. “We are on notice that we have an unsafe condition.”
Guthman represents the owner of the building, the not-for-profit Terra Foundation. He says the building's façade has prevented ownership from considering the merits of landmark designation.
However, Guthman objected to the timing of Thursday's hearing, which he says came one day after building owners were notified of the pending preliminary recommendation, which must go to the city's plan commission before being approved by the city council. “Bringing in ownership on the day before the hearing is not an appropriate way to deal with an owner's property rights,” he says.
Maher's work can be seen on two other Michigan Avenue buildings, the Blackstone Hotel and the Women's Athletic Club. The landmark designation for 664 N. Michigan Ave. has the backing of the Landmark Preservation Council of Illinois as well as 42nd Ward Alderman Burton Natarus.
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