Quote:
Originally Posted by BWChicago
Well, we know that all landmarking protects in Chicago is the facade anyway, so not to worry. Just look at the Biograph or Farwell Building. Maybe a high rise behind it could be a little more difficult, but I bet they could make it happen. The Village, like the Germania, has been before landmarks before and hasn't gotten nearly as far as Germania did.
Incidentally although the Village may not look like much inside now it's probably restorable in theory at least, although to what end I don't know. I don't buy the River East argument, though, considering Pipers Alley still hangs on. http://www.mekong.net/random/cinema16.htm is a shot of the auditorium from the mid-80s. Pretty typical for a 1915-16 theater. Likely much of this is just covered up; some of the large plaster sconces are now at the Theatre Historical Society in Elmhurst. Frequently when splitting theaters owners were looking to do as little work as possible, so ornament was not necessarily removed. I recall that some of the proscenium and organ screen plaster was still there while it was operating, which usually indicates that it wasn't totally gutted.
Incidentally, although facadism is now clearly OK with landmarks, that;s the same thing that led to the Esquire NOT being landmarked; after the interior was almost entirely redone in the late 80s and the facade somewhat altered the City Council commission in 1994 ruled that the historic character had been too severely compromised, which clears the way for demolition now. |
To honte and BW, I would graciously, gleefully welcome a facadectomy in this case, as I acknowledge the facade is quite excellent, but really the theatre behind it is quite dumpy at this point (having spent alot of time in movies there). Don't let my hyperbole in the matter give the impression this is something I lose sleep over, but put simply "I disagree with this decision."
The Germania is in good condition and is fully utilized and contributes to the surrounding streetscape and neighborhood. Given it's historic and architectural importance, I think it's an obvious landmarking candidate. The Village Theatre? Not so much; if anything, I think a drive to landmark this structure is exactly the sort of campaign that demeans the entire preservation movement and supports the reasons why many people don't take the movement seriously.
I'm reminded of an older gentleman who spoke up at a community meeting for 830 S. Michigan, saying in regards to the rotting YWCA building: "So why are you guys saving that crappy building?" In some instances, this is a good question. The Village is nowhere on the same spectacular scale as say, the Uptown. Nor would reuse of the existing building as a high-traffic venue (e.g. for concerts) be a desired use as far as the neighborhood is concerned (omg the parking!!!1), so the Congress/Riviera model is also inapplicable. About the only thing I could see would be something a la the Biograph, but I can't possibly see how the economics work out favorably for that in this location.
In re: the River East factor in killing the Village, I still maintain the argument because:
1) Pipers Alley has parking, Village does not.
2) Village almost exclusively focused on 'mainstream movies'. River East is mostly mainstream with typically one or two "art" films on the billing at any time. Pipers Alley is exclusively devoted to "art" and "foreign" films, like the Century a couple miles north, and thus are not competing with River East as was the Village.
BTW some really great photos at that site you linked, BW. Also noticed you're a major contributor at cinematreasures, good stuff.
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What does that accomplish? The building is a dump, and with Michael's restaurant right next door these are prime re-development, up-density candidates. Now we'll be stuck with a decaying building and a moribund retail stretch, with underutilized land that should be brining in much more tax revenue ( as opposed to being a tax revenue sinkhole as a decaying 'landmark') and providing more vibrancy to the area. Granted the Village facade is very nice, but there is nothing behind that facade even remotely worth saving. This site is zoned B3-5, what reason is there to not build a 6-7 story building with first/second floor commercial space and perhaps 30-40 units on upper floors (with park and lake views, I might add, so they'd be worth a pretty penny)? This is such a valuable site (in terms of potential), just like the Burger King a block away at North/LaSalle that is now becoming a dumpy 1-story Fifth Third bank. Another total frickin' waste. God, can Ald. "Hack" Reilly go 5 minutes without doing something to ruin this ward? I can't wait to get elected 42nd alderman and pass an ordinance undoing every decision this tool has made. 
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