Building 51 | Building 51 | single-sided ornamental cast iron interior ywca hotel building elevator door plaque designed and fabricated by the winslow brothers, chicago, il.
10074
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single-sided ornamental cast iron interior ywca hotel building elevator door plaque designed and fabricated by the winslow brothers, chicago, il.

51-22163-15

Category

Chicago Buildings

About This Item

original single-sided ornamental cast iron antique american interior ywca hotel building elevator door plaque designed and fabricated by the winslow brothers, chicago, il. the single-sided monogrammed panel flush mount features intricate filigree surrounding a cartouche with volutes and elongated oval-shaped plaque containing embossed lettering. the medallion was salvaged from an elevator door hidden behind drywall installed in the 1950’s. the seven-story red brick and terra cotta ywca hotel (located at 830 south michigan avenue) was designed by chicago architect john m. van osdel ii, nephew of prominent chicago architect john mills van osdel ii. construction of the property was completed in 1895. the late 19th century hotel is one of the oldest ywca buildings in the country, and was the first to be built in the city of chicago. the ywca originally used to house working women newly arriving in the city following the 1893 world’s fair. located near the illinois central railroad station and within a reasonable distance to the heart of the loop, it was was designed to take advantage of views along michigan avenue and the lake, with projecting triangular bay windows on the top floors and a renaissance inspired loggia dressed in ornamental terra cotta on the second floor. in 1929, the building became the south michigan hotel. in the 1970’s the hotel was purchased by johnson publications and converted into offices. the badly dilapidated and structurally compromised building was essentially abandoned for nearly thirty years. the building finally succumbed to the wrecking ball in 2009. urban remains salvaged much of the exterior and interior ornament prior to, and during demolition. measures approximately 13 x 13 1/2 inches.