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Twenty-four houses—all designed in 1952 by the influential architectural
firm of George and William Keck—remain virtually untouched in this quiet
subdivision. However, in the past two years, two houses have been demolished
for larger residences and a third is in jeopardy. These houses were designed
as affordable and innovative options for families during the post-World War
II era.
The one-story structures were early examples of the use of passive solar
energy (featuring large south-facing windows). Large wooded lots help to
create a bucolic atmosphere throughout the subdivision. Unfortunately,
because of high land values and the relatively small-square footage of the
original house designs, these buildings and their pastoral landscape
settings are in grave danger of demolition or insensitive alteration.
Glencoe’s landmarks ordinance only provides for a temporary demolition
delay.
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What Can I Do? Urge local officials to protect this area from future
teardowns by applying stricter lot coverage requirements or by designating
it as a local landmark district with strict protections governing
demolitions. Please write to the Assistant Village Manager, Peter Scalera at
675 Village Court, Glencoe, IL 60022 (and please send a copy of your letter
to the Glencoe Historic Preservation Commission at the same address). Or
seek to buy and restore one of these houses when they come onto the real
estate market.
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