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Blair House
925 N. Sheridan Rd., Lake Bluff
(Lake County)
This Modernist masterpiece was designed by Keck & Keck,
a preeminent firm of the era. The Blair House has been
widely published, both from the time of its construction
in 1955, as well as in numerous books on the work of
Keck & Keck and modern architecture. It was
forward-thinking in its use of sustainable technologies,
such as double-glazing and radiant heat. In 1957 the
Architectural Record called it “A Residence of
Exceptional Distinction.”
Currently for sale, the house sits on a large lakefront
lot. A Lake Bluff landmark nomination has been
considered but has not yet been pursued. If the Village
did grant local landmark designation it would only be
honorific. With no protection in place the Blair House
is
highly vulnerable to demolition to make way for new
construction.
A local landmark designation or listing in the National
Register of Historic Places would allow a future owner
to utilize the
Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program -
an incentive for owners to sensitively reinvest in their
historic homes. Contemporary houses of the
mid-20th-century continue to be threatened throughout
Chicago’s North Shore. The Blair House is particularly
representative of this important period of design.
What You Can Do
Encourage Lake Bluff officials to grant local landmark
designation on the Blair House, which will not protect
the property, but will demonstrate that the Village
acknowledges its architectural significance. Also
encourage officials to strengthen the Village’s historic
preservation ordinance.
In an August 4, 2011 letter to the Lake Bluff Historic
Preservation Commission, Arthur Miller, archivist of the
Donnelley and Lee Library, Lake Forest College, said of
the house, “Its elegance, richness of
materials, state of preservation, and rich design
heritage make it an outstanding feature of Chicago’s
upper North Shore. Its key role in…Lake Bluff’s history
cannot be disputed.”
If interested in the sales listing for the home, click
here:
homefinder.com/IL/Lake_Bluff/.
Additional Links
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