From the Archives (July 2008) – Historic Property Saved!

From our July 2008 Newsletter:

At the April SNA Community Meeting, the members voted overwhelmingly in opposition to a developer’s plan to tear down 1418 W. Addison, also known as the Bopp House. The Bopp House was built around 1890 and is one of the oldest residences in West Lakeview and only one of a handful of late 19th Century Queen Ann style structures. The property currently sits at the corner of Addison and Southport as a single family home on a large lot. The developer proposed to tear down the building and up-zone the property to B2-2 from RT 3.5 to allow 6 new luxury condominiums.

While the Community voted against the plan, the size of the lot still gave the developer the right to tear it down and build 6 units significantly smaller than those proposed. Alderman Tunney involved the Landmarks Office who asked the developer to withdraw his demolition permit and work with the community to redevelop the property saving the façade. The developer has agreed to do this and is now working with the Alderman and the Landmarks Office as well as SNA’s Planning and Development Committee to save the entire façade but to allow condos on the backside and east side of the property. This will help preserve the significant historic character of the building. We are told the property is
too expensive and too close to the Jewel alley and the commercial district to redevelop as a single family home.

The Community will be notified of the revised plans as they become available.

Image (c) 2018 Google Street View

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