Varsity Theater Block Among State's 'Most Endangered' Places

EVANSTON, IL — The Varsity Theater block in down Evanston was included among the most threatened historically significant structures in the state, as Landmarks Illinois released Wednesday its 2018 Most Endangered Places list. Without any landmark protection from the city, the 1700 block of Sherman Avenue is vulnerable to being demolished to make room for new developments, according to the preservationist nonprofit.

While Evanston has several historic districts, none are downtown, and Landmarks Illinois describes a pair of more than 90-year-old buildings as one of the city center's last remaining historically intact blocks. The group pointed to a 2007 survey from the Evanston Preservation Commission that found the former Varsity Theater at 1706-10 Sherman Ave., designed by J.E.O Pridmore and built in 1926, and J.A. Scanlan's 1922 building at 1712-1722 Sherman Ave. across the alley to its north both had architectural or historical merits to be included as possible landmarks.

Last year, the block was proposed as the site for a 39-story mixed use development that was to include 152 rental units, 153 hotel rooms and two performance spaces intended to make room for Northlight Theater to return to Evanston. The plan was withdrawn last month by developers Farpoint Development and McLaurin Development before it reached the Evanston City Council.

The one-screen Varsity Theater opened in 1926 and closed for good in 1988. The lower level was converted to retail use, but many of its original features are still in place and covered by walls. It was commissioned by Evanston native Clyde Elliot, who returned home from working in Hollywood to open up theater, according to photographer Matt Lambros. The 2,500 seat "atmospheric" theater was designed to give the audience the feel of sitting in the courtyard of a French chateau.

Landmarks Illinois also cited the non-binding 2009 Downtown Evanston Plan, which called for "traditional zones" like the 1700 block of Sherman Avenue to be preserved. The plan called for the protection and preservation of "character-giving buildings" by promoting their adaptive reuse. It recommenced establishing a historic conservation district in downtown Evanston to make property owners eligible for federal incentives and to create an adaptive reuse fund.

In 2010, Evanston got a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to prepare a Downtown Evanston Performing Arts Study. Released in December 2012, it found that portions of the theater's decor remain, but the structure would be unsuitable for conversion to a new performing arts use as long as there's still retail space on the first floor.

The preservation group asked the public to "urge" Evanston to carry out the recommendations of the 2009 Downtown Plan, "especially in light of new development pressure." It also called for a new comprehensive downtown survey to identify historically or architecturally significant buildings that could be eligible for designation as a local or national historic place on their own or part of a district.

Ald. Judy Fiske, whose 1st Ward includes the "endangered" block and has described herself as the City Council's "resident historical preservationist," said Friday she had no immediate response to the group's designation.

Landmark Illinois has been publishing its list of the most endangered historic places in the state since 1975 to focus attention on places threatened by "deterioration, lack of maintenance, insufficient funds, or inappropriate development" and to promote local preservation advocacy.

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