Category Archives: Historic Preservation

National Historic Preservation Month: Some Whys and Hows

by Michael R. Allen May marks the start of National Historic Preservation Month. Perhaps this spring’s sky shifts from dinge of gray to cloud-studded blue find me more introspective about my practice as a historic preservationist, but I keep questioning … Continue reading

Posted in Historic Preservation, Urbanism | Leave a comment

This Building Matters #6: Cupples Station Building 7

Media attention on the Powell Square demolition ought to point us toward a historic warehouse we can save: Cupples Station Building 7 or “Cupples 7″ at 11th and Spruce Streets. Built in 1907 and designed by Eames & Young as … Continue reading

Posted in Adaptive Reuse, Downtown, Historic Preservation | 3 Comments

Diagnosing the Future: Modernism, Medicine and Historic Preservation

by Michael R. Allen Last week, the Chicago Commission on Landmarks for the second time unanimously voted to rescind the landmark designation for Bertrand Goldberg’s Prentice Women’s Hospital (completed in 1975). The vote essentially dooms the innovative concrete-shell modernist hospital … Continue reading

Posted in Central West End, Chicago, Historic Preservation, Hospitals, Mid-Century Modern, The Ville | Leave a comment

Step Away From the “Like” Button And Write A Check Already: Brickstarting a Rehab in Old North

by Emily Kozlowski Here is a chance to actively participate in preserving a part of St. Louis. Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group (ONSLRG) recently bought this three-story, brick structure at 1316 North Market from the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA). … Continue reading

Posted in Historic Preservation, Housing, North St. Louis, Old North | 2 Comments

The Winkelman House on St. Louis Avenue: A Popular Emblem, Fading Away

by Michael R. Allen [Previous coverage: The Precarious Condition of Two Beautiful Houses on St. Louis Avenue, August 12, 2009] The front elevation of the Bernhardt Winkelman House at 1936 St. Louis Avenue has become a quiet cultural icon for … Continue reading

Posted in Historic Preservation, North St. Louis, Northside Regeneration, St. Louis Place | 3 Comments

Preserving Stained Glass

by Emily Kozlowski St. Louis is built of brick — and glass. With the abundance of churches, this city has a fantastic supply of stained glass windows. I recently attended the session on identifying and preserving stained glass at the … Continue reading

Posted in Historic Preservation | 4 Comments

Federal Historic Tax Credit Led to $3.9 Billion in Investment in Last Two Years

by Michael R. Allen Congress first authorized the federal historic tax credit for fiscal year 1978 in order to provide a return of 20% of the qualified expenditures of rehabilitating historic buildings to developers whose projects produced income. In creating … Continue reading

Posted in Historic Preservation, Missouri, Public Policy | 1 Comment

Learning From Louisville: Facade Stabilization Should Be Simple

by Michael R. Allen Last Monday, the Preservation Board denied developer Kevin McGowan’s appeal of a denied demolition permit for the Cupples Station warehouse now known as Building 7. At the meeting, Cultural Resources Office Director Betsy Bradley, who denied … Continue reading

Posted in Historic Preservation | 3 Comments

National Trust Requests Naming Input for “National Treasures”

From Preservation Action One of the major components of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s restructure plan, Preservation 10X, includes a focus on the identification of and subsequent advocacy for 100 “National Treasures.” These resources are meant to be historic … Continue reading

Posted in Historic Preservation | 6 Comments

A Tax Credit That Works

Deb Sheals, Chair of the Public Policy Committee of Missouri Preservation, sent out the following statistics on Missouri’s state historic rehabilitation tax credit program. Between creation of the program in 1998 and September 2011, the Department of Economic Development measure … Continue reading

Posted in Historic Preservation, Missouri, Public Policy | Leave a comment