Louis Sullivan Storefront Renovation at the Gage Building Block

Chicago, IL

As the crowning jewel of the Gage Building Block’s rehabilitation and conversion to office condominiums, AltusWorks won the design contract to envision a new storefront to replace the missing historic assembly. Holabird & Roche designed the building in 1899 and commissioned the master himself, Louis H. Sullivan, to design the ornamental terra cotta and cast iron facade. Victim of modernization in the 1950’s, Sullivan’s highly detailed cast iron ornamental storefront, entry, and surround were removed and replaced with a sleek aluminum, glass, and granite assembly. AltusWorks was tasked to develop a feasibility study to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective replacement option within the confines of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.  From that study, an abstracted design based on historic remnants, photographs, and Sullivan’s documented system of ornament and emphasizing alternative materials was selected. As a contributing structure to Chicago’s Historic Michigan Boulevard District and restricted by a façade easement, design approval was required from both Chicago’s Division on Landmarks and Landmarks Illinois. Both entities readily approved the interpretive design, it’s cast aluminum materials, and replication of the appearance of an entry free from the confines of the facade.

The City’s Commission on Landmarks lauded the innovative design and the commitment of the owner to the stewardship of this important historic building which resides in one of the most prominent historic districts in the City.