Public Service Building (Libertyville, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Public Service Building
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 Location in Chicago metropolitan area
Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 344-354 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, Illinois |
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| Area | 1.1 acres (0.45 ha) |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Hermann Valentin von Holst |
| Architectural style | Gothic Tudor Revival, Plateresque |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003581 |
| Added to NRHP | December 8, 1983 |
The Public Service Building is a special old building located at 344-354 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville, Illinois. It was built in 1928. A famous architect named Hermann V. von Holst designed it. The building has a mix of cool styles, mostly Gothic Tudor Revival and Plateresque. It is an important landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of the Public Service Building
Building for Samuel Insull
The Public Service Building was ordered by Samuel Insull in 1928. Insull was a very important person in the world of electricity. He used to work with Thomas Edison, who invented the light bulb! Insull owned many power companies across the Midwest. He had lived in Libertyville since 1907. He also owned the Libertyville Trust and Savings Bank.
Purpose of the Building
The building had two floors. The first floor was for shops and businesses. The second floor had offices and apartments. Insull wanted the building to show how amazing electricity was. He also wanted it to show how important his work was in bringing electricity to everyone. Some of the first businesses there were Insull's own bank and a Chevrolet car dealership. There were also clothing stores and dentists' offices.
Changes Over Time
Soon after the building opened, a big economic problem called the Great Depression happened. Samuel Insull lost a lot of his money and power. Because of this, the building was not taken care of very well for many years.
In the 1950s, a new owner fixed up the building. The bank moved back in, and new shops opened. The building was renovated again in 1982. On December 8, 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical site.
Architecture and Design
Who Designed It?
The Public Service Building was designed by Hermann V. von Holst. He was an architect from Chicago. He was known for his designs and even took over Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture business for a while. Von Holst had designed many buildings for Samuel Insull's companies. The Public Service Building was the last project they worked on together.
Building Styles
Von Holst used several different styles when he designed the building. The Gothic Tudor Revival style is the most noticeable. But you can also see parts of Spanish and Indian architecture. The building is on a corner, so it has two main fronts. These fronts meet at a corner tower with a small dome on top called a cupola.
Special Features
The stone front of the bank's original space has a Plateresque design. This is a Spanish style that von Holst used to make the building look strong and solid. The building used to have a central walkway called an arcade. This arcade was later closed in during renovations. However, the west entrance to the arcade is still there. It has a dome and a clock made by Seth Thomas.
