Preservation Chicago

07/24/2026

Preservation Chicago Executive Director Ward Miller was interviewed today by Bret Bugansk of Fox 32 News in front of five century-old buildings on Sheffield Avenue that DePaul University began demolishing to clear the site for a new multi-million dollar basketball practice facility. We advocated for DePaul and the City of Chicago to save these buildings that included four historic 1890s row houses and a 1925 courtyard apartment building, all of which were in use until recently. Two of the row houses were orange rated. Many community members also protested the destruction of these buildings, calling on DePaul to use other nearby sites for the practice facility.

06/02/2026

Join panelist Ward Miller on June 6 at the Driehaus Museum to learn more about it what it took to transform Chicago during the Gilded Age after the Great Fire of 1871.

Click below to learn more about the 3 pm event at 50 E. Erie Street and register for it:

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum explores the art, architecture, and design of the late 19th-century with a focus on the Gilded Age. The Museum is located just steps from the Magnificent Mile within the meticulously restored Nickerson Mansion, renowned as Gilded Age Chicago’s “Marble Palace.”

05/06/2026

Explore "NEW PATHS TO PRESERVATION: THE LATE MODERN DILEMMA," an upcoming "Preservation Month" panel discussion at the Chicago Architecture Center's Gand Lecture Hall on THURSDAY, MAY 14 at 6 p.m. (111 E. Wacker Drive). Experts from Chicago, New York and L.A. will share how existing tools and new approaches for renewing buildings can support housing needs and responsible growth. As cities face rising housing demand and underused office space, preservation of existing buildings is now playing a more pivotal role in what comes next. Many Late Modern office buildings are becoming obsolete. While Willis Tower and “Big Red” have been successfully redeveloped, many other buildings will require creative reuse to avoid demolition.

The panelists are: Kendra Parzen (Advocacy Manager at Landmarks Illinois), Adam Rubin (CAC Sr. Director of Public Engagement and a Chicago landmarks commissioner), Frank Mahan, AIA (Design Principal, Adaptive Reuse Practice Leader, SOM), and Ken Bernstein, who heads the Office of Historic Resources for the City of Los Angeles where a citywide adaptive reuse ordinance was recently adopted.

Click photo below to REGISTER:

In honor of Preservation Month, hear from a panel of experts on existing tools and new approaches for renewing buildings to support housing needs and responsible growth.

04/15/2026

There's still time to make plans to hear the thrilling music of Apollo's Fire at the amazing KAM Isaiah Israel synagogue in Hyde Park this coming Saturday, April 18. The 7:30 pm concert is in the Byzantine-style domed sanctuary designed by Chicago's famous architect Alfred Alschuler. The music of Apollo's Fire is influenced by the music of Old Jerusalem and played on oud, theorbo, medieval harp, zither, strings and exotic percussion. It's at 5039 South Greenwood Ave in Hyde Park, right across the street from the Obama's home. Tickets and more information are at https://bit.ly/ChiAFJerusalem. See you there!

O Jerusalem! (Chicago) Crossroads of Three Faiths April 17 – April 19, 2026 “A ravishing musical landscape… a sensory feast” – CLEVELANDCLASSICAL.COM Ringing with urgency in our time, this acclaimed program created by Jeannette Sorrell returns in a fresh version. Honoring the peoples whose...

04/15/2026

Spend some time Sunday April 19 in Uptown learning about the Riviera and Uptown theaters. Hosted by longtime Uptown Theatre caretaker David Syfczak and The Landmark Uptown Theater Corp. (NFP), this FREE event features a history program, brief videos about the Uptown, and a tour of the historic Riviera Theatre.

The program is 2 pm to 4 pm at the Riviera, 4746 N. Racine Ave, just down the street from the Uptown Theatre. Local journalist, photographer and author Robert Loerzel will give a talk about the histories of Balaban & Katz, the Riviera, the Green Mill and the Uptown. Co-author and founder of Friends of the Uptown Andy Pierce will deliver a visual tour of the Uptown through 1925 photographs. Local organist Daniel Boin will play organ music on stage and Riviera Theatre facilities manager John Booher will lead a group tour of the venue!

A few remaining "The UPTOWN: Chicago's Endangered Movie Palace" books – now listed as out of print – will be available ($50 cash or Zelle). See you there!!

04/07/2026

The Apollo's Fire concert at 7:30 pm on Saturday April 18 at the historic KAM Isaiah Israel synagogue in Hyde Park is a great opportunity to experience the temple's glorious Byzantine-style architecture. The domed sanctuary's breathtaking sound quality pairs perfectly with the Apollo's Fire musical tour of Old Jerusalem, which highlights the surprising cross-cultural influences of Jewish, Christian, Arab and Armenian music. Apollo's Fire founder and artistic director Jeannette Sorrell brings together 26 artists from Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim and Christian backgrounds to perform on oud, theorbo, medieval harp, zither, strings and exotic percussion. The 1924 synagogue designed by Jewish Chicago Architect Alfred Alschuler was designated a Chicago landmark in 1977. It's at 5039 South Greenwood Ave in Hyde Park, right across the street from the Obama's home. Tickets and more information are at https://bit.ly/ChiAFJerusalem.