When the Logan Square Boys and Girls Club announced its departure from the historic synagogue building after having served at-risk families for over 60 years, the century-old building’s future seemed uncertain with fears of demolition in favor of new development. A trio of developers instead proposed the adaptive reuse conversion of the building that is respectful of its history, attentive to today’s urban dwellers, and provides a newly landscaped pocket park for the community. This repurposing of the 1920s-era synagogue transformed the 2-story building into 14 attractive residences with 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units and proves an excellent example of how the reuse of historically significant architecture can serve to anchor and enrich the community.
The project preserves the original yellow brick and limestone structure designed by architect Edward Steinborn in the 1920s, and works within the existing two-story volume of the building, with new balconies and ground-level patios projecting off the newly activated west facade of the building. The building’s signature yellow masonry and limestone facade was left unchanged with only minor tuck-pointing. Rubber ground cover from the Club’s playground on the southwest corner of the lot was removed and the space was reimagined as a small pocket park for the neighborhood. While an annex building from the 1950s at the northwest corner of the lot was demolished to make way for required parking, materials from the annex were salvaged and rebuilt as a screen wall between the park and the parking lot, paying homage to the previous building’s place in the neighborhood. The Boys and Girls Club mosaic mural remains visible on the west wall near the main facade, marking the building’s unique past as both a space for the Jewish community in Logan Square and its service to the neighborhood’s youths.
The building’s sense of history extends into the interior spaces in the form of exposed brick, tall ceilings, and original window openings that conform to the original layout of the structure. Existing window openings on the east building facade were enlarged to accommodate entry doors and bring the window sills to operable heights. Oversized windows and an open floor plan maximize natural light in the spaces giving the units a loft-like feel. Patios overlooking the pocket park and greenery on the west side of the building visually extend the interior spaces outward, expanding the perceived interior spaces and connectivity to the outdoors and surrounding neighborhood. Residents also enjoy modern finishes, stainless steel appliances, and stylish fixtures highly sought after by today’s urban dwellers.
The development team worked extensively with the Logan Square Preservation group and the NeighborSpace community to redevelop the west lot of the building to provide a publicly accessible corner park. The salvaged brick and limestone from the previous annex building were repurposed to construct a screen wall between the public and private spaces. This wall serves as a relic of the original structure as well as an attractive backdrop to the park.
The project was an economic and preservation success, with the neighborhood benefiting from the redevelopment of the space. The building was leased to nearly full occupancy within the first two months of the opening date, filling a need in the community for market-rate housing. Once again, the decommissioned synagogue building found new purpose, this time, as a residential building by leveraging its existing historic charm and functional floor plans tailored to modern lifestyles. The natural and preserved features coupled with modern appliances make The Grand Palmer Lodge an attractive option for tenants seeking unique, character-filled residences.
Developers: Ranquist Development, Campbell Coyle Real Estate, New Era Chicago
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