Chicago Preservationists Fight to Reuse Iconic Building

Steven Yaccino reports on the ongoing controversy over the proposed demolition of Prentice Women's Hospital, designed by famed Chicago architect Bertrand Goldberg, as officials continue to skirt the issue.

2 minute read

August 10, 2012, 5:00 AM PDT

By Emily Williams


The former Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago has joined the ranks of America's endangered architectural landmarks, as preservationists play the waiting game with city officials unwilling to stake out a position on its possible demolition.

Designed by the late architect Bertrand Goldberg in 1975, the Prentice is known and admired for its clover-leaf shape, a highly innovative approach to hospital design at the time. But others, writes Yaccino, see the building as nothing more than a vacant eyesore that should be razed for new development. The building has been sitting vacant for a year on land that is now owned by Northwestern University, who have plans to build a new medical research facility in its place after a study revealed that adaptive reuse for the intended purposes would not be feasible.

Preservationists and local advocates are fighting back and urging officials to consider alternative uses for the iconic building. "We feel like the building is infinitely reusable because of the way it's designed," said Christina Morris, from the Chicago office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In a letter to Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, over 60 leading architects addressed their opposition to the proposed demolition and what it would mean for the future of the city: "Chicago's global reputation as a nurturer of bold and innovative architecture will wither if the city cannot preserve its most important achievements." As of now, Emmanuel has yet to state his opinion on the case, and the city of Chicago seems to be holding its breath as it awaits the fate of one of its signature buildings.

Friday, August 3, 2012 in The New York Times

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Cobblestone street with vintage street lamps in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah Reduces Speed Limits on Almost 100 City Streets

The historic Georgia city is lowering speed limits in an effort to reduce road fatalities.

May 20 - WJCL

Sign for Loma Alta Park in Altadena, Los Angeles County.

A Park Reborn: Resilience and Renewal in Fire-Stricken Altadena

Rebuilt in just two months after the devastating Eaton Fire, Loma Alta Park now stands as a symbol of community resilience and renewal, even as some residents hope recovery efforts will continue to support housing stability and long-term equity.

May 20 - Pasadena NOw

Colorful historic homes in Madrid, Spain.

Spain Moves to Ban 66,000 Airbnbs

The national government is requiring the short-term rental operator to remove thousands of illegal listings from its site as part of an effort to stem a growing housing crisis.

May 20 - The New York Times

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.