A Disturbingly Elevated Experience
[2100 block N. Bissell Street (1883-90) Chicago, Iver C. Zarbell, architect /Images & Artwork: designslinger.com]
We've moved one block to the west of yesterday's post and a few years forward as well.
This group of townhouses was built on Bissell Street in the 1880s, a little over 10 years after the row houses on Fremont Street to the east. Designed by Iver C. Zarbell, these rental units were built by a real estate developer who owned the property on both sides of the street. Unlike yesterday's contiguous row houses, these buildings were divided by a walkway every 75 feet or so and had more ornate Second Empire detailing on their facades.
[Second Empire details, 2100-44 N. Bissell St. /Images & Artwork: designslinger.com]
In 1886 when this group was ready for occupancy, the buildings were located in the outer
reaches of the growing city. The area would have been a quiet, residential, almost suburban-like community. But dramatic changes were on their way because in 1893 the City of Chicago granted the Northwestern Elevated Railroad Company a franchise to build a rapid transit line that would bring commuters to and from downtown Chicago and the city's northern boundaries. The Northwestern's elevated train track required a 50-foot right-of-way which would cut through the existing city alley behind Zarbell's buildings on the west side of Bissell as well as taking a chunk out of the backyard area.
[An 'L' train directly behind 2100 N. Bissell; Armitage Avenue 'L' station (1900) /Images & Artwork:
designslinger.com]
The Company had set aside several million dollars to purchase property deemed
"in-the-way," and for owners unwilling to bargain condemnation proceedings would be undertaken. So it was better to try and get the best deal upfront because once condemned, the city had the power to name their "fair" price. if you were a renter you simply had to suffer through the noise when the first train came rumbling by in 1900 with no monetary compensation, just a lot of vibration.
Amazingly having the L right behind your home never drove people to completely abandon
the row. You can see just how close the trains run adjacent to the buildings in the photo on the left. Today's homeowners have adjusted by bricking in former window openings, sound-proofing the back walls or learning to live with the noise because the neighborhood is one of the best in the city. Plus the Armitage Avenue L (as in elevated) station is just a short walk away.
Posted by designslinger at 4/20/2010 1:20 AM 
Categories: Architecture, History, Preservation
Tags: row houses Iver C. Zarbell Chicago L townhouses
Categories: Architecture, History, Preservation
Tags: row houses Iver C. Zarbell Chicago L townhouses
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