[SpireGuy]

Originally Posted by NYer34

I live in New York - a city that has, at best, a mixed record on preservation (we're still demo'ing 200+-year-old Federalist buildings pretty regularly).

That said, I'm always absolutely shocked / mortified at how much Chicago seems to crap on preservation. Every time I'm in Chicago, I see beautiful old mansions, townhouses, etc., in places like River North or Lincoln Park biting the dust for fairly ugly new condos.

Given the huge number of surface lots and parking garages, the city could easily, without any impact on development, put down a blanket landmarking of its irreplaceable pre-WWII architectural stock. Unfortunately, I don't think that's likely, as it would be a very far cry from what seems to happen today.

Agree 100%. Given that Chicago loves to tout its amazing architecture, it's mindbogling how much Chicagoans and politicians allow developers to destroy what makes this city special. Until we change our ways here, it's difficult to argue that Chicago loves its architecture (aside from a few trophy buildings). We can do so much better!