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Hotel LaSalle Garage
215 W.
Washington St.,
Chicago
This five-story structure is believed to be the oldest surviving parking
garage of its kind in the U.S. Hailed at its construction in 1918 as
“America’s finest garage,” it was one of the first buildings to house parked
vehicles in a location other than along crowded curbs, in converted horse
stables, or on open lots.
The building’s dark brick and terra cotta exterior was designed by Holabird
& Roche to blend with surrounding office buildings and ground-floor
storefronts.
The garage’s long-term continued use appears unlikely, given current parking
standards and the oversized nature of many of today’s vehicles. While older
garages in other cities (i.e., Boston, Los Angeles) have been adapted or
converted to other uses, the building’s owner opposes Chicago Landmark
designation, which is currently being sought by the City.
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