| Address | 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Built | 1924-26 |
| Architect | Egerton Swartwout |
| Status | Designated Chicago Landmark |
| Designation Date | October 1, 2003 (Final)City Council Journal of the Proceedings, p. 8585 |
| Neighborhood | Lincoln Park |
| Type | Monument and sculpture |
| Landmark ID | L-01 |
Interior spaces protected by this designation
- The foyer, the Memorial Hall and all adjacent arcades, the vestibule and the two trefoil- form passages between the Memorial Hall and the Grand Reception Room, and the Grand Reception Room (these areas are shaded on the plan below), including, but not limited to, all architectural elements, sculpture, light fixtures, and murals of these spaces
- MAIN FLOORPLAN JEDRAWN FRAMT WORKING The site plan and landscaped grounds, including, but not limited to, its sculpture, flagstaffs, ornamental light fixtures, monumental urns, perimeter kneewall, and the terraced stairway leading to the bronze doorway.
Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building, Preliminary Landmark Recommendation, p. 20.
Direct quotes from the Chicago Landmark Designation Report
“The Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building was erected by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, one of the oldest and largest fraternal organizations in the United States. • The Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building is an outstanding example of a privately built monument relating to Chicago's dramatic lakefront beautification initiative of the 1910s and 1920s.”
“The finely crafted exterior and elaborate interior spaces of the Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building emphasize the collaboration of the architecture and sculpture. THE BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF THE ELKS One of the oldest and largest fraternal organizations in the United States, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks was established in New York on February 16, 1868.”
“The Elks Commission overseeing the construction of the memorial believed that there was no other location in the nation or in Chicago more appropriate for their distinguished monument. الان Dedicated in 1926 to the memory of Elks who served in World War I, the Elks National Memorial has subsequently been rededicated to honor all American veterans serving in all later wars and conflicts.”
“This stately domed structure is a distinctive visual presence for thousands of Chicagoans and visitors on the North Side of Chicago. An exceptional example of a grand commemorative building, the Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building exemplifies Beaux-Arts classicism with its grandly scaled, classically inspired design and details.”
“The Memorial is an exceptional example of a grand commemorative building in the Beaux-Arts tradition. Reflective of classical round temples, such as the Pantheon, the Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building features a visually distinctive round central pavilion.”
“Consequently, the design for the Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building was shaped by its dual function as an organizational headquarters and a war memorial. With nationally renowned architects competing for the opportunity to design a significant building in a city widely recognized for its architectural importance, the competition for the Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building sparked great national interest in architectural circles.”
“The Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building is comprised of opulent interior spaces including the compact marble clad foyer; the dramatic massively scaled Memorial Hall, which soars to a height of nearly one hundred feet; and the highly decorated Grand Reception Room.”
“The Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building has excellent integrity and has experienced relatively few changes to its exterior and interior public spaces, including the Memorial Hall and Grand Reception Room.”
“Ground was broken in 1924 and the monumental Elks National Memorial Headquarters Building was dedicated on July 14, 1926. Possessing a commanding presence at the corner of Diversey Parkway and Lakeview Avenue, the Elks National Memorial serves as a solemn tribute to all men and women who have served in our nation's conflicts.”