The National Trust for Historic Preservation and Landmarks Illinois have dropped a lawsuit alleging that the city of Chicago improperly denied landmark status to Prentice Women's Hospital, an iconic modernist structure designed in the 1970s by Bertrand Goldberg. Owner Northwestern University will now be free to go forward with its plan to build a major new biomedical research facility on the downtown site.
The Prentice demolition has been under dispute for several years, as preservation enthusiasts attempted to make the case that the building, with its quatrefoil concrete shell cantilevered over a narrow core, was worth saving. Last November, in contentious proceedings, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks granted the building landmark status and then removed the designation on the same day.
After a hearing in Cook County Circuit Court, the preservation groups decided not to proceed. "We continue to believe there were significant flaws with the process that granted and then removed landmark protection for Prentice," said the National Trust in an official statement. "However, we feel that the landmarks process has run its course."
National Trust Field Officer Christina Morris said the groups will continue to cooperate with the city on preservation of historic structures, and that the Prentice situation has brought important attention to the role of modernist architecture in the U.S. “We will continue to work with our partners to preserve the best of Chicago’s architectural heritage.”
(http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-lawsuit-dropped-over-prentice-preservation-20130214,0,3552305.story)
Related Stories
Healthcare Facilities | Feb 15, 2022
New outpatient ophthalmology surgical center opens in Newington, N.H.
JSA Design designed the project.
Resiliency | Feb 15, 2022
Design strategies for resilient buildings
LEO A DALY's National Director of Engineering Kim Cowman takes a building-level look at resilient design.
Healthcare Facilities | Feb 10, 2022
Respite for the weary healthcare worker
The pandemic has shined a light on the severe occupational stress facing healthcare workers. Creating restorative hospital environments can ease their feelings of anxiety and burnout while improving their ability to care for patients.
Coronavirus | Jan 20, 2022
Advances and challenges in improving indoor air quality in commercial buildings
Michael Dreidger, CEO of IAQ tech startup Airsset speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield about how building owners and property managers can improve their buildings' air quality.
Healthcare Facilities | Jan 7, 2022
Supporting hope and healing
Five research-driven design strategies for pediatric behavioral health environments.
Healthcare Facilities | Dec 20, 2021
Stantec will design the new Queensway Health Centre
The project is located in Toronto.
Healthcare Facilities | Dec 16, 2021
Leo A Daly designs mental health clinic for veterans in Tampa
The new facility will consolidate all mental health services the VA offers into one clinic.
Healthcare Facilities | Dec 15, 2021
COVID-19 has altered the speed and design of healthcare projects, perhaps irrevocably
Healthcare clients want their projects up and running quicker, a task made more complicated by the shortage of skilled labor in many markets.
Healthcare Facilities | Dec 15, 2021
MEP design considerations for rural hospitals
Rural hospitals present unique opportunities and challenges for healthcare facility operators. Oftentimes, the infrastructure and building systems have not been updated for years and require significant improvements in order to meet today’s modern medical demands. Additionally, as these smaller, more remote hospitals are acquired by larger regional and national healthcare systems, the first step by new ownership is often to update and rehabilitate the building. But how can this be done thoughtfully, economically, and efficiently in ways that allow the engineering and facility staff to adapt to the changes? And how can the updates accurately reflect the specific needs of rural communities and the afflictions with which these areas most commonly face?
Healthcare Facilities | Dec 7, 2021
Wheeler Kearns Architects completes Howard Brown Health’s Broadway Youth Center in Chicago
The new facility will provide medical and social service programs to LGBTQI+ youth.