CHICAGO — A historic apartment complex in Washington Park known for its architectural ties to Frank Lloyd Wright has been evacuated by city officials, following severe neglect by its owner that has left the building in dangerous disrepair.
Neglect Prompts Emergency Action
The South Park Terrace Apartments, built in 1905, was evacuated under a city order after parts of the structure became unlivable. Originally designed by architect Harry Hale Waterman — an associate of Frank Lloyd Wright — the building showcases Prairie School architectural elements such as blonde brick, glazed white terra cotta, and arched entrances.
While once admired for its historical value and even used in the 1995 film Losing Isaiah, city officials now say the building poses “imminent danger to the community.” The Department of Buildings reports that the ownership allowed the property to fall into foreclosure, abandoning all maintenance as conditions worsened. A recent fire further damaged the interior, accelerating the evacuation process.
A Symbol of Architectural and Social Legacy
The building’s design is considered a tribute to Wright’s Francisco Terrace Apartments, emphasizing natural light, open layouts, and affordable housing for working-class residents. Though Waterman’s exact level of collaboration with Wright is debated, their architectural vision clearly aligns.
More than a design legacy, the building has been a source of affordable rentals in a rapidly gentrifying part of Chicago. Its current state has devastated long-term tenants who were given just two days’ notice to vacate.
“It’s been unfair to the residents there to give them a two-day notice and they have to leave,” said Cecilia Butler, president of the Washington Park Residents’ Advocacy Council, in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times.
Efforts to Preserve and Restore
A court-appointed receiver has been tasked with stabilizing the property, raising hopes for rehabilitation and future occupancy. Preservation advocates argue that the building should be granted landmark status, which would make it eligible for tax credits to offset restoration costs.
Such protections, they say, are critical in preventing historic structures from falling into disrepair due to profit-driven neglect.
Cultural Spotlight and Broader Context
The South Park Terrace situation adds to a growing list of architectural landmarks across the country endangered by owner neglect. As Chicago continues to wrestle with balancing development, affordability, and historical preservation, the fate of this apartment complex may serve as a key test case.
Elsewhere in the city’s cultural sphere, Ithaki restaurant is opening in Greektown, Dale Chihuly’s glass art exhibition is heading to Grand Rapids, and debates persist over the future of public land across the U.S.
Do you believe Chicago should do more to preserve its historic buildings like South Park Terrace? Share your thoughts on city preservation at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
