| Address | 3609-3611 W. Cermak Road, Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Hall, Bisbee & Rhenisch |
| Status | Designated Chicago Landmark |
| Designation Date | October 9, 2024 (Final)City Council Journal of the Proceedings, p. 18880 |
| Neighborhood | South Lawndale |
| Type | Factory and warehouse |
| Landmark ID | L-394 |
Direct quotes from the Chicago Landmark Designation Report
“In addition to his company in Chicago, Thomas A. Jackson emerged as an important figure in the national moving industry over the course of his 55-year career. Most notably, in 1928 he was one of the founders of Allied Van Lines, a national cooperative owned by moving companies that became members.”
“Examples of Venetian Gothic architecture are rare in Chicago and the nation. With its tapestry brick façade and terra cotta ground level arcade, the Jackson Storage and Van Company Warehouse displays a high degree of design and craftmanship in these traditional materials.”
“Several articles by Hall on the need for legal regulation and professional standards for architects were published in architectural trade journals. He served as president of the Chicago chapter of the A.I.A. and the Illinois Society of Architects, and for many years edited the Society's annual Handbook for Architects and Builders.”
“Jackson served as president of both the Chicago Movers Association and the Illinois Warehouseman's Association and served as vice president of the National Furniture Warehousemen's Association. When he died in 1958, the company stock was turned over to the employees of Jackson Storage and Bill Conklin took over as manager and he too became a national leader in the moving industry.”
“To meet the demands for increasing mobility and storage, the Jackson Storage and Van Company was part of the household goods and storage industry that emerged and developed throughout the nation during the twentieth century.”
“The Batchelder tile water fountain in the first-floor office. The common brick east and west elevations of the Building are devoid of architectural treatment and secondary. The Commission may approve more significant changes to these elevations to support new uses of the Building.”
“The Venetian Gothic design and materials of the building are largely preserved. Changes to the building include replacement of the upper floor windows and the plate-glass storefront windows at the first floor.”
“With these sensibilities in mind, savvy storage companies employed high style architecture to advertise a sense of visual elegance as well as security and permanence. The Jackson Storage and Van Company Warehouse is a remarkable example of Venetian Gothic design applied to a utilitarian building.”
“As a 1927 design, the Jackson Storage and Van Company Warehouse is a late manifestation of Venetian Gothic, a rare nineteenth century-revival style. Another important example of the style in Chicago is Henry Ives Cobb's Chicago Athletic Association Building from 1893 at 12.”
“S. Michigan Ave., a contributing building to the Historic Michigan Boulevard District. More contemporary with Jackson Storage and Van Company Warehouse is the Wilton Hotel in Uptown from 1926 which also exemplifies the Venetian Gothic.”