This building is located at 5948–5960 N. Broadway in the Edgewater Neighborhood of Chicago.  It was built in the 1920’s as an upscale Chrysler Showroom for the North Broadway Auto Row. The architect was Richard Bernard Kurzon.

     It features 20 foot ceilings with plaster and ornamental gold leaf.  There are ornamental metal chandeliers.  There are leaded glass arched windows.  The exterior facade features ornamental terra cotta.  The style was described as Venetian Gothic.

     During the 1940’s–1950’s, the building housed the M.P. Masse Furniture Store.  During the 1960’s–1970’s, it was occupied by the Chicago Art Galleries.  This was an antique store and a decorative art auction house.  This closed in 1976.

     The next occupier of the building was the Broadway Bank.  It was in this location until 2010.  It was closed by the federal government because of financial irregularities.  M B Bank was next at this location until 2014.

     The building was designated an historic landmark by the City Council Commision on Chicago Landmarks

     This area near the Lincoln Park Zoo was originally built in 1889 as an ornate, Victorian style garden.  Its pool was artificially heated.  Over the years, it was overrun with frogs and invasive species of plants.

     In 1936, Alfred Caldwell was hired by WPA to restore the overgrown, neglected garden. His plan was to create a natural Midwest ecosystem on this 2.7 acre site.  It was to resemble a lush area of the Illinois Valley.  After his budget was cut, he used his personal money to complete the project.  He imported native plants from Sauk County, Wisconsin.

     By the 1950’s, migratory birds had claimed the area.  The Lincoln Park Zoo converted the area into a rookery.  The area became overrun.

     The Lincoln Park Conservatory decided to restore the area to Caldwell’s original plan.  The Lily Pool was reopened in 2007.

 

Belden

 

This house is located at 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., Edgewater Neighborhood, Chicago.    It is known as the Joseph Downey House or Berger Park South Mansion.    A building permit for this house was obtained in 1906.  Construction  was completed in 1906.  The architect was William Carbys Zimmerman.   The contractor was M.F.  Powers.  Costs were approximately $20,000.

The building style is American Four Square.    This included cubic forms, hip roofs, and overhanging eaves.

The building is 2 and one half stories high.  The exterior is tan Roman bricks with grey limestone trim.

Also included is a coach house with similar color brick and Four Square style.

Joseph Downey  the first owner was born in Ireland.  He immigrated to Chicago  at the age of  12.   At an early age, he worked as a brick layer.  He became partners with builder James McGraw.  He eventually became a successful building contractor on his own.  One of his well known buildings was the Illinois Central Railroad Station.

From the 1940’s to the 1980’s, this house was used by the Viatorian Catholic order as a residence for its novitiates.   The order sold the house to the Chicago Park District in the 1980’s.     The Downey House and the adjacent Gunder House became part of Berger Park.