Appeared in the Fall/Winter 2024 Gazette
By Helen Weaver

500 Maple Street, 2024.

Since 2019, the Winnetka Historic Preservation Commission has awarded fourteen awards in three different categories to Winnetka homeowners and the professionals that helped them restore, rehabilitate or build homes that contribute to the architectural diversity and visual distinctiveness of our Village. A restoration project “restores the property to its original appearance using original plans and required research.” A rehabilitation project is “sympathetic to the building’s original design” and “upholds the spirit of the building’s style, use of materials and finish.” New construction that “emphasizes compatibility with its neighborhood regarding style, massing, scale, color, trees and context” is also eligible for award nomination.

Most of the homes nominated for and presented preservation awards are not official “landmarks” of the Village. They are ordinary homes that add character to their neighborhoods and help tell the history of our Village. The awards are given to recognize the efforts of the homeowners and architects and carry no legal restrictions on resale or future renovations. The projects are simply excellent examples of how older homes can be updated to meet the needs of 21st century families and still maintain the historic integrity of our neighborhoods.

740 Ardsley Street, 2024.

One of the 2023 awards was given to a historically significant house that was “saved” by neighborhood activism. Longtime homeowners Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Bundy III lived at 740 Ardsley for more than half of its ninety plus-year history. According to a 2021 article in The Record North Shore, when the Bundy’s sold their home in September 2020, they believed it would be preserved. But, the new owners promptly filed a demolition permit and began plans to build a new home. When neighbors heard the news, they inundated the Village with emails expressing their concern. The Record quotes some neighbors describing the possibility of a teardown as an “absolute tragedy.”

Given the high level of community interest, the Village postponed consideration of the permit request for two months and then announced that the request had been withdrawn. Interested parties had worked out a deal for the owners to sell the property to even newer owners, Neil and Angela Hughes, who, with their architect, Chip Hackley of Hackley and Associates, restored the property by adding a one story addition and updating electrical and plumbing systems as well as windows. The stunningly restored home is a success for the entire neighborhood.

463 Willow Street, 2024.

The 2023 awards included two additional projects by architect Chip Hackley, a beautiful rehabilitation of a 100 year-old Russell Wolcott designed home at 1100 Pelham Road owned by Kim and Thomas Handler, and another restoration of an Ardsley Road house, 656 Ardsley owned by Linda and David Machlachlan.

Another historically significant home, 969 Hill Road designed by noted architect Spencer Solon Beman in 1935, was given a Preservation award in 2021. Owners Anita and Stephen Livaditis worked with J Lawton Thies Architects to rehabilitate the home with restored architectural features, an architecturally sensitive pool pavilion installation, and restoration of the building’s original fenestration and building patterns.

811 Cherry Street, 2024.

While many of the recent awards have been given to what some might call “mansions” the 2022 award went to a more modest home, a beautiful bungalow at 811 Cherry Street owned by Kathleen and Ron Hamburger. Architect, David Widivk of DSW Architects worked to rehabilitate the house with improvements that included an open and inviting front porch. Three of the 2021 awards were given to other traditional style homes including 663 Garland Avenue, 463 Willow Road, and 942 Tower Road. At the 2021 awards ceremony in April of 2022, several Winnetka trustees expressed their gratitude for the homeowners’ efforts to preserve their homes and that their actions prove there are alternatives to teardowns. A Record North Shore article by Peter Kaspari quotes Jack Coladarci, chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission as saying: “We’re trying to get somebody to change their minds about a house, and I would say that we have actually had some success in doing that. We’ve been able to get a number of people to change their minds or to sell the property rather than tear it down.” If you believe your recent building project helped to preserve the historic character of Winnetka, look for the Historic Preservation Award nomination form on the Village website.