5520 Loyola Ave.

Description: Demolition of more than 25% of the primary facade of a Contributing rated, two-story, multi-family residential building. 

Staff Recommendations: 

FEMA research dates the construction from 1895-1905. According to the 1909 Fire Insurance Maps the original building had a single-story porch that wrapped the building with two rear single-story side porches. By 1951 the building had been built out to a rectangular massing with the encapsulation of the rear porches and the addition of a double gallery at the front of the building.  At some point in the early to mid 20th century a Spanish Revival false front façade was added to the front of the building the double gallery was encapsulated. The applicant has begun exploratory demolition of the front wall of the building in order find any evidence of the previous double gallery condition and column spacing with no definitive evidence of column spacing. The proposed application, while not a true restoration opens up the double gallery, adds a more contextual language and retains the fenestration that is currently obscured by the false front wall which tells it's own story about the building's history.

For the aforementioned reasons, Staff recommends the approval of more than 50% of the primary façade.

• Recommendation: Approval.

Context Photos:

Elevation Comparison Photos:

Current Drawings:

Fire Insurance Map:

FEMA Survey:

Street View: