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Concur with the Historic Preservation Commission and Adopt an Ordinance Designating 1144 Lake Street as an Oak Park Landmark
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Introduction
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The Historic Preservation Commission recommends that the Village Board Adopt an Ordinance authorizing amendment of Chapter 7, Article 9, Section 7 (F) of the Village Code and designate 1144 Lake Street as an Oak Park Landmark. This is a companion item with their Class L request and the redevelopment agreement.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Ordinance.
Prior Board Action
There is no prior Board action associated with this item.
Background
The Historic Preservation Ordinance, adopted by the Village Board in 1994, enables the Historic Preservation Commission to recommend, and the Village Board to adopt by Ordinance, local landmarks within the Village. The property must meet one or more of the eight (8) criteria for designation as listed in the Ordinance. The Ordinance calls for the Commission to hold a public hearing and then forward a recommendation in the form of a Resolution to the Village Board. Upon receipt of the Resolution and nomination report, the Village Board has 30 days to designate or reject the nomination by simple majority. Upon approval, the Board shall enact an ordinance designating the landmark.
The Marshall Fields and Company Store is located at 1144 Lake Street at the northeast corner of Harlem Avenue and Lake Street, and at the western edge of Oak Park. The building sits a block north of the elevated Green Line CTA Harlem stop, which provides commuter access to downtown Chicago, along with the Metra Commuter stop in the same location. Designated by Graham, Anderson, Probst, and White, and constructed in 1929 as Marshall Fields and Company’s first permanent suburban store at a total price of $207,000. The Oak Park department store expresses an Art Deco modernity tempered by a corporate sense of tradition. In 1988, the Marshall Field’s Building was individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination was amended in 2024 to expand its boundary and include the adjacent Oak Leaves building in the National Register Nomination. In 1987, a façade easement was donated to the Landmarks Illinois Council. In 2005, the Architectural Survey of Downtown Oak Park and The Avenue Business District listed the Marshall Field’s Building as a potential Oak Park historic landmark.
The Marshall Field’s store in Oak Park represents the peak period of commercial development of the Village. The quality and taste that customers had come to associate with Marshall Field and Company allowed it to serve the needs of the growing population of the western suburbs during a period of active development. The Oak Park store’s establishment as the first permanent department store of a major downtown Chicago retailer marked a milestone in the evolution of the department store, the beginning of a movement that eventually led to the development of the suburban shopping center. It was instrumental in promoting the residential growth of the Village and the western suburbs by bridging the gap between city convenience and the suburban lifestyle. Finally, it represents the recognition by one of Chicago’s most important commercial enterprises of the critical significance of the growth of the suburbs to the overall development of Chicago and to the future evolution of the modern American city.
The property meets the following criteria under Chapter 7, Article 9, Section 4 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance “Criteria for Designation of Historic Landmarks and Interior Historic Landmarks”.
Historic And/or Cultural Importance:
Criteria 1: Significant as an example of architectural, cultural, economic, historic, or social development or heritage of the Village of Oak Park, the state, or the United States.
Criteria 3: Identification with a person or persons (Marshall Fields and Company Store) who significantly contributed to the architectural, cultural, economic, historic, or social heritage, or other aspect, of the Village of Oak Park, the State, or the United States.
Architectural And/or Engineering Importance:
Criteria 5: Embodiment of those distinguishing characteristics of a significant architectural type, or style, or engineering specimen.
Criteria 7: Contains design elements, detail, materials, or craftsmanship that make the property or building structurally or architecturally innovative, rare, or unique.
Criteria 8: Representation of an architectural, cultural, economic, historic, or social theme, styles, or period, expressed in distinctive areas, districts, places, buildings, or structures that may or may not be contiguous.
In addition, the property is at least 50 years old and has sufficient integrity of location, design, materials, and workmanship to make it worthy of preservation or restoration.
Timing Considerations
Upon receipt of the Resolution and Nomination Report, the Village Board has 30 days to designate or reject the nomination by simple majority.
Budget Impact
$300 has been budgeted for this item through the Historic Preservation Commission for a bronze plaque. (GL account 1001.49200.332.530662)
Staffing Impact
This is a standard process for Development Services - Historic Preservation staff. From the time the application and Landmark report are submitted, reviewed and prepared for public hearing through the Historic Preservation Commission, staff has put in about 7 hours of time.
DEI Impact
There is no DEI impact associated with this item.
Community Input
The Historic Preservation Commission conducted a preliminary determination of eligibility on the completed nomination report on August 14, 2025, which determined the property met at least one of the criteria for designation contained in the Historic Preservation Ordinance. The Commission also held a public hearing on August 14, 2025. Legal Notice of the public hearing was published in the Wednesday Journal on July 30, 2025, and hearing notices were mailed to the Village property owners within 250 feet of the site. The Commission approved the nomination as the Findings of Fact and recommended approval of the property as an Oak Park Historic Landmark by the attached Resolution on August 14, 2025, as it is mandated in the Historic Preservation Ordinance.
Staff Recommendation
Staff Recommends approval of this Ordinance.
Advantages:
• Landmark designation helps to retain the unique architectural and cultural character of Oak Park and preserves a tangible connection to the past, offering learning opportunities for future generations.
• The landmark building becomes eligible for property tax reductions, grants, or credit for restoration and maintenance, and it can attract visitors, boost local tourism, and benefit surrounding businesses.
• The landmark building contributes to community pride and a shared sense of history and can enhance the appeal of surrounding areas and promote cohesive urban development.
• Changes to landmark buildings require approval, ensuring that alterations align with the Historic Preservation Ordinance.
Disadvantages:
• This action can create restrictions on modifications and result in higher maintenance costs.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can take no action or deny the recommendation for Landmark Designation.
Advantages:
• This action saves the Village $300 for the price of the bronze plaque.
Disadvantages:
• This action fails to provide long-term protection for what the Historic Preservation Commission considers to be an important historic resource with the Village.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Mike Bruce, Village Planner/Planning & Urban Design Manager
Reviewed By: Craig Failor, Development Services Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance
2. HPC Resolution
3. Landmark Nomination Report and Exhibits