29 Aug another post-fire athens marble downtown chicago building at 161 east erie street faces demolition
another post-fire structure faces possible demolition.
nearly a month ago, a group of 1870s post-fire italianate style “athens marble” or lemont limestone residential rowhouses (later converted into commercial use) located at 161 east erie street, have landed on the 2024 demolition delay list.
the elegantly designed rowhouses (a total of five were built with only three still standing), were likely built around 1874-75.
the “athens” marble” facade features allover deeply incised lines, punctuated with keystones (the larger ornamented stones with abstract floral motifs) were reserved for the double-door entrances – the stoops were removed long ago and replaced with swing-out french doors.
the original pressed and stamped bracketed sheet metal cornice with acanthus leaf ornament is amazingly intact.
