Goodall Building, Marion

2023 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

Marion resident Jeff Mayer purchased the historic former hotel building at 204 Tower Square Plaza in 2020 and led the remarkable rehabilitation of the structure that has sparked reinvestment across the city’s downtown commercial area. Tobacconist Francis Goodall built the original structure that stood on the lot in 1873. Following a fire in 1898 that destroyed it, the building was reconstructed in 1900. Mayer, an automotive retailer, grew up in Marion and undertook the meticulous rehabilitation of the historic Goodall Building, focusing on quality craftsmanship and materials that would enable the building to survive another 100+ years. Today, the building provides retail, residential and rental space. A successful bakery operates on the ground floor. Second-story, luxury one-bedroom condos have been created where the Goodall family once resided. The rehabilitation of the Goodall Building is a catalyst for development in downtown Marion. Additionally, the Marion Chamber of Commerce nominated Mayer as the Citizen of the Year in 2021.

(Photo credit: Rachel Stroud)

Project Principals

• Jeff Mayer and JM Vision Real Estate Development, LLC, Owner
• Right Angle, Design + Interiors, Architect
• Rick Jones Construction, Construction/Finish Work

(Photo credit: Rachel Stroud)

 

*Above list is provided by nominators. Don’t see your company listed but worked on this project? Let us know! Email lwills (at) landmarks.org.

LANDMARKS ILLINOIS ASKS: WHY IS THIS PLACE IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Jeff Mayer

Preserving the Goodall Building was very important to me for several reasons. The first was that I simply wanted to help with being a part of the revitalization of downtown Marion. There were many ways to get involved, but I saw taking on one of the biggest buildings as the way to make the largest impact I could. I felt my vision very much matched the vision of what the city was trying to accomplish. Secondly, I felt very passionately that the Goodall Building needed to be completely renovated from the ground up because the fact that it is (a) one of the oldest buildings still standing in the Marion Historic District, (b) it was located on the corner of the Square and is a main focal point, (c) the city had already lost enough historic buildings over the years, and (d) it has 15,000 square feet, which meant it had the potential to be full of life again and have a very big influence on rebuilding and rebranding the rest of Marion’s Tower Square Plaza.

(Photo credit: Jeff Mayer)

HOW DID THIS PLACE IMPACT PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

Jeff Mayer

The renovation of the Goodall Building has impacted people in our community more than I could have ever imagined. This building was one of several that were being renovated at the same time. The synergy of all these projects going on simultaneously has brought energy and excitement around what is going on and what is possible in Marion. The rewarding aspects of this project have been a combination of older generations of people stopping me and describing their own memories of the building from years past and also younger generations who very much appreciate the efforts of preserving the history of their community, so they can enjoy it in the future.

(Photo credit: Jeff Mayer)