Lake View East in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Brewster Apartments

— Chicago Landmark —

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 7, 2021

1. Brewster Apartments Marker

Inscription.
Brewster Apartments
Enoch H. Turnock, architect
1893

The principles of skeleton-frame construction that made possible tall commercial buildings were used here for an early highrise apartment building, originally known as the Lincoln Park Palace. Behind its heavy masonry walls is an exceptionally innovative interior, a light and airy construction of cast-iron stairs, elevator cages, and bridges, paved with glass blocks, and topped by a skylight.

Designated a Chicago Landmark on October 6, 1982 by the City Council of Chicago.
Jane M. Byrne, Mayor

Erected by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list.

Location. 41° 55.977′ N, 87° 38.488′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lake View East. Marker is at the intersection of North Pine Grove Avenue and West Diversey Parkway, on the right when traveling south on North Pine Grove Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2800 North Pine Grove Avenue, Chicago IL 60657, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker. Pearl M. Hart (within shouting distance of this marker); Elks Memorial Headquarters Building (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Boulevard System (about 600 feet away); Lincoln Park (about 700 feet away); László Moholy-Nagy (approx. 0.2 miles away); North Chicago Hospital Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . . The Brewster Apartments Landmark Designation Report (Chicago Commission on Landmarks).

Excerpt: Dominating the northwest comer of Diversey Parkway and Pine Grove Avenue, the Brewster Apartments represents an excellent early application of the principles of metal-frame construction to the design of a large residential building. The Brewster also represents an efficient solution to one of the major problems faced by architects at the end of the nineteenth century: providing adequate light and air to the taller buildings made possible by skeleton construction. The apartments in the Brewster surround an atrium, which not only increases light and ventilation but also provides a dramatic interior space. Architectural historian Carl Condit has called this "one of
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 7, 2021

2. Brewster Apartments and Marker
the most remarkable systems of interior planning in the building art of his [Tumock's] time."

(Submitted on December 10, 2021.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 189 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.