Alfred S. Alschuler
Encyclopedia
Alfred S. Alschuler
was one of Chicago's
most prolific and versatile architect
s during the height of the city's architectural boom. His designs included warehouses, department stores, industrial buildings, synagogue
s, and offices. Alschuler's legacy lives on in the form of historically significant buildings such as the London Guarantee & Accident Building (1922-23) at the intersection of N. Michigan Avenue
and Wacker Drive
.
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange
Building (1927), another of Alschuler's acclaimed commercial buildings, suffered a less fortunate fate; The Merc was demolished in 2003, despite a spirited set of protests organized by local preservation groups. The silver lining of The Merc's demolition was the creation of a new Chicago law which provides the Landmarks Commission
a 90-day period to review and potentially save historically significant buildings.
Other significant industrial and commercial works by Alschuler include the Bull Dog and Whistle Restaurant, Brach’s
Candy Factory, the Florsheim Shoe Factory, the Garment Center Building, and the Benson-Rixon Department Store.
Alschuler was also an accomplished designer of Jewish synagogues in the Chicago area, including K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Temple
, Agudath Achim Bikur Cholim Synagogue, B'nai Sholom, Anshe Emet Synagogue, Am Shalom in Glencoe, and Am Echod in Waukegan.
A member of the American Institute of Architects
, Alfred S. Alschuler died on June 11, 1940, near age 64, in Chicago. His son John also trained as an architect.
Several of Alschuler's works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
.
Notable works include:
was one of Chicago's
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
most prolific and versatile architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
s during the height of the city's architectural boom. His designs included warehouses, department stores, industrial buildings, synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
s, and offices. Alschuler's legacy lives on in the form of historically significant buildings such as the London Guarantee & Accident Building (1922-23) at the intersection of N. Michigan Avenue
Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile, sometimes referred to as The Mag Mile, is a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, that runs along a portion of Michigan Avenue extending from the Chicago River to Oak Street in the Near North Side community area. The district is located adjacent to downtown; it is also one block...
and Wacker Drive
Wacker Drive
Wacker Drive is a major street in Chicago, Illinois, United States, running along the south side of the main branch and the east side of the south branch of the Chicago River...
.
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange is an American financial and commodity derivative exchange based in Chicago. The CME was founded in 1898 as the Chicago Butter and Egg Board. Originally, the exchange was a non-profit organization...
Building (1927), another of Alschuler's acclaimed commercial buildings, suffered a less fortunate fate; The Merc was demolished in 2003, despite a spirited set of protests organized by local preservation groups. The silver lining of The Merc's demolition was the creation of a new Chicago law which provides the Landmarks Commission
Chicago Landmark
Chicago Landmark is a designation of the Mayor of Chicago and the Chicago City Council for historic buildings and other sites in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Listed sites are selected after meeting a combination of criteria, including historical, economic, architectural, artistic, cultural,...
a 90-day period to review and potentially save historically significant buildings.
Other significant industrial and commercial works by Alschuler include the Bull Dog and Whistle Restaurant, Brach’s
Brach's
Brach's Confections is a candy and sweets company which produces and invented many modern icons of the sugary world; it is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. In November 2007, Brach's Confections was sold to Farley's & Sathers Candy Company and the corporate office moved to Round Lake,...
Candy Factory, the Florsheim Shoe Factory, the Garment Center Building, and the Benson-Rixon Department Store.
Alschuler was also an accomplished designer of Jewish synagogues in the Chicago area, including K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Temple
K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Temple
KAM Isaiah Israel is the oldest Jewish congregation in Chicago, with its oldest core founded in 1847 as Kehilath Anshe Ma'arav ....
, Agudath Achim Bikur Cholim Synagogue, B'nai Sholom, Anshe Emet Synagogue, Am Shalom in Glencoe, and Am Echod in Waukegan.
A member of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
, Alfred S. Alschuler died on June 11, 1940, near age 64, in Chicago. His son John also trained as an architect.
Several of Alschuler's works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Notable works include:
- Chicago Mercantile ExchangeChicago Mercantile ExchangeThe Chicago Mercantile Exchange is an American financial and commodity derivative exchange based in Chicago. The CME was founded in 1898 as the Chicago Butter and Egg Board. Originally, the exchange was a non-profit organization...
Building (1927) - K.A.M. Isaiah Israel TempleK.A.M. Isaiah Israel TempleKAM Isaiah Israel is the oldest Jewish congregation in Chicago, with its oldest core founded in 1847 as Kehilath Anshe Ma'arav ....
- Richard Churchill House, 1214 Green Bay Rd., Highland Park, Illinois, NRHP-listed
- Goldblatt Bros. Department Store, 4700 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, Illinois, NRHP-listed
- Henry E. Legler Regional Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 115 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, Illinois, NRHP-listed
External links
- "Alfred S. Alschuler", list of Chicago buildings designed by Alschuler.
- Images of Alschuler buildings, University of Minnesotia digital library. (search on "Alschuler")