Having Trouble Rallying Support to Save a Historic Building? Just Wait a Little While

Two recent success stories in Chicago prove that time can be a preservationist's best friend.

1 minute read

July 31, 2012, 9:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


While time and neglect can be a historic building's worst enemy, Blair Kamin argues that it can also work in a preservationist's favor. "Time - or, more accurately, the passage of time - can upend the economic
assumptions on which real estate deals are built. It can allow historic
preservationists to drum up popular support. And over time,
architectural attitudes can shift, transforming today's 'this has gotta
go' eyesore into tomorrow's 'this must be saved' treasure."

Two seemingly unrelated recent victories in Chicago, concerning the Chicago Athletic Association and Prentice Women's Hospital, are used to prove his point. 

Sunday, July 29, 2012 in Chicago Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Glass building with green tree behind it.

EPA Terminates $116 Million in Grants for Reducing Emissions from Construction Materials

C-MORE grants were earmarked for industry trade groups and universities.

1 hour ago - Inside Climate News

White BART trains passing each other on elevated track in Fruitvale, California.

BART Closes $35 Million Deficit

Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.

2 hours ago - Mass Transit

Black hearse seen from behind driving on multilane road.

The New Parisian Hearse is a Bicycle

Sleek, silent, and sustainable, a green trip to the graveyard has hit the streets of the French capital.

3 hours ago - Momentum Magazine