Each year, Landmarks Illinois recognizes historic preservation projects around the state.
This year, the Elgin Tower was among those recognized. Bonnie McDonald is President and CEO of Landmarks Illinois. She said the group selects winners based on public nomination.
“So each year we select nine projects from across the state that have demonstrated the importance of historic preservation, its economic development potential and as well as its creation of sense of place," McDonald said.
The Elgin Tower recently won the Preservation Award for Adaptive Re-use from Landmarks Illinois. The 1929, 15-story building suffered a fire four years ago that severely damaged its interior. It remained vacant for nearly two years before developers started conctruction. This year, the Tower opened up as a 44-unit housing complex.
McDonald said it received the award for "rising like a phoenix from the ashes."
“We see this as such a commitment by the owner, the Luchini's, as well as the project principal in turning this into a useful building again," McDonald said. "But also adding some really needed residential foot traffic to the downtown.”
McDonald said many buildings that suffer from fire damage and vacancy end up suffering from water damage and deterioration. However, with the help of state and federal historic funding, the Elgin Tower is once again a fixture for the Elgin area.
The award ceremony will be held on Sept. 15 in downtown Chicago.