The La Grange Board of Trustees Monday unanimously approved a 5-story, 39-unit condo complex on the site of the Jackson Square Antique Mall building at 112 E. Burlington Ave., despite persistent community opposition.
Several issues raised by residents have dogged the proposal, including the height of the building, the possibility of parking problems in an already crowded downtown area, and setbacks variances nearby residents feel encroach on their living spaces.
Also prominent in the discussion was the historic status of the Jackson Square building. Built in 1903 and expanded in 2023, it is an example of Egyptian art deco revival, designed by noted warehouse architect George Kingsley.
But the structure’s physical condition and the cost of needed repairs played a role in the redevelopment’s approval, and in dooming the building to be demolished, officials said.
Trustee Beth Augustine cited the La Grange Theatre as an example of the challenges of retaining historically significant buildings.
“The owners have always improved and upgraded and kept up with it,” she said. “That is a 100-year-old property, and it still works. It’s still relevant, it’s still necessary, and it’s a very important part of this town. Jackson (Square) does not seem to have done that.”
One element she spotted during a tour of the Jackson Square property was “that old elevator, one of the original pre-patent Otis elevators.”
“I was shocked that that was still there,” she said. “I’m not sure I would have trusted that situation in my place.”
And although she was sympathetic to those wanting to preserve a historically significant building, Augustine said while the front facade of Jackson Square was beautiful, from the sides, the building looked “blighted.”
Village officials granted developer, Dan Spain, who also owns The Elm Restaurant, several amendments, including allowing the building’s 74-foot height to exceed the 70-foot maximum set by village code and changing the property’s zoning from commercial to multiple family residential. The project also received a special use permit and site plan approval.
“I have come to the conclusion that the building is not up to code and it is cost prohibitive to get it up to code,” Trustee Peggy Peterson said.
The project has generated controversy in La Grange for months.
After a four hour meeting in October, the village’s Plan Commission gave the proposal a positive recommendation, but it fell short of being unanimous with a 5-2 vote.
The development will consist of 15 two bedroom, two bath units with a den, 18 three bedroom, 2.5 bath units, and 16 three bedroom, 2.5 bathroom with a den units. The condos will range in cost from $750,000 to $1.3 million.
Residents showed up Monday night to offer their opinions on the plan before the vote, with 21 speaking out against the condo development and four speaking in favor of it.
Those opposed to the development delivered passionate arguments to the Village Board.
Jonathon Robinson, who lives next door to Jackson Square, took issue with its proximity to his property, calling the months-long process leading up to Monday’s vote “an atrocity.”
“I am not asking the developer not to build this building. I am asking that they build their building 29-feet, 7-inches away from my property line, as the zoning code requires,” he said.
Al Foreman said the plan was inadequate, saying ”my last words to guide you are, we must do better than this.”
Among the small minority of supporters of the project was Barbara Jarr.
“Much has been said about the desirability of preserving the existing building,” she said, “but sadly, not all buildings are suitable for rehab and preservation.
Many comments addressed the building’s historical significance.
“Works of this caliber are extremely rare,” Lauren Whitney Swindle told the board.
But Trustee Lou Gale responded that renovation wasn’t a viable solution.
“With respect to the adaptive reuse of Jackson square, what I’ve heard is we’ve got past and present owners that are saying it isn’t compatible with reuse,” he said.
La Grange village President Mark Kuchler does not vote unless the board is tied, but voiced support for the project, though he said he had concerns about the precedent of increasing the height allowed and possible parking problems.
The next La Grange Village Board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 26, at the La Grange Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Rd.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
