North and Damen

HMPG completed the renovation and adaptive reuse of 1954-1958 West North Avenue, at the NE corner of North Avenue and Damen in Wicker Park, converting two interconnected buildings that used to house a restaurant and nightclub into nine residential units and a commercial space on the first floor. Once a part of an ornate row of buildings at this prime six-corners intersection, built in the late 1800’s, they had been through some rough times. The decorative turret and cornice work was removed in the 1960’s. The top floor, with its ornate mansard roofs, was demolished in the 1990’s to allow for cellular equipment on the roof. Luckily, much of its decorative masonry and terra-cotta remained. HMPG was approached by Ernst Development to redevelop and restore the building to the extent possible. Missing floors within the building were rebuilt and new elevators, stairs and a roof deck were added. While the missing fourth floor with its ornate dormers could not be rebuilt due to the long-term leases for the cellular equipment, much the missing exterior detailing along with ornate cornices and the iconic corner turret were added back. While it is not a truly historic restoration, the design goes a long way towards bringing back the glory of this once proud corner and complimenting the other historic building recently renovated at that intersection. Historic photos from the 1920’s of what these buildings and intersections looked like in their prime were used to inform the final design.