12 Jan hollenbach seed company building (1912) bedecked with richly colored ornamental terra cotta set to be demolished next week
the hollenbach building (1912) will be the latest casualty to succumb to the rapidly changing fulton market cityscape on the west side of chicago.
the three-story brick and terra cotta commercial building was built for charles hollenbach’s seed company in 1912 at a cost of 12,000 dollars by the architectural firm of worthmann and steinbach. hollenbach ran his seed company operation there until moving to the northwest suburbs in 1958.
the handsome tapestry and/or mottled brick façade is adorned with neoclassical style red slip glazed terra cotta ornament. hollenbach’s name – also comprised of single-letter terra panels – punctuates the façade, between the second and third floor window openings (the latter having a graceful arch, topped with a terra cotta keystone.
the terra cotta was likely fabricated by northwestern or the midland terra cotta company (research ongoing).
images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive.
additional images from 1-9-2021:
further reading:
