Laramie State Bank Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Laramie State Bank Building |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Location | 5200 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41°53′41.4″N 87°45′20.9″W / 41.894833°N 87.755806°W |
| Completed | 1928 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Meyer & Cook |
The Laramie State Bank Building is a beautiful old building located at 5200 W. Chicago Avenue in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. It was built in 1928 and designed by architects Meyer & Cook. This building is famous for its unique Art Deco style, which was popular back then. It also has special decorations made from a material called terracotta. Because it's so important and special, it's officially recognized as a Chicago Landmark.
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Building's Journey Through Time
The Laramie State Bank Building has a long and interesting history. It started as a bank and has changed hands many times.
Early Bank Operations
The building first opened as the Laramie State Bank of Chicago. However, the bank closed its doors on August 16, 1930. A few years later, on August 31, 1936, a government agency called the Federal Housing Administration moved its offices into the building. This agency helps people get loans to buy homes.
New Banks and Challenges
In 1946, a new bank called Citizens National Bank started operating in the building. This bank stayed there for many years. But in 1991, Citizens National Bank ran into financial trouble. It was declared "insolvent," meaning it couldn't pay its debts. Because of this, federal regulators had to take control of the bank.
Becoming a Chicago Landmark
On June 14, 1995, the Laramie State Bank Building was given a special title: a Chicago Landmark. This means the city recognizes its historical and architectural importance. It helps protect the building for future generations.
Recent Uses and Future Plans
In more recent times, the building has been home to different businesses. It has been a restaurant, a furniture store, and even a place for parties and events. However, in 2012, the building faced a new challenge. It was "foreclosed," which means the owner lost it because they couldn't pay their loans.
Since then, the building has been empty for many years. It needs a lot of repairs and upkeep, which is called "deferred maintenance." Because of its condition, an organization called Preservation Chicago has listed it as one of the most "endangered" buildings in the city. This means they are worried it might be lost if it's not saved.
Good news came on August 11, 2020. The Chicago Community Development Commission, a city group, decided to ask for ideas from developers. They want to find someone who can fix up the Laramie State Bank Building and the land around it. This is a big step towards bringing this historic building back to life!
