Preservation Watch

In a big coup for local preservationists, a Cook County circuit judge ruled in favor of Chicago's landmarks law, reports Blair Kamin for The Tribune. A challenge to the law, brought by disgruntled property owners, had kicked around the courts for a few years, and, for a time momentum appeared to be on the side of the plaintiff. An appeal is likely to be lodged, so it's not all sunshine and rainbows just yet. Nevertheless, a palpable sense of relief is rolling across the preservation community. The law, dating to 1968, has under its protection hundreds of individual properties and dozens of historic districts. Such notable sites as Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, Louis Sullivan's Carson Pirie & Scott building, and Mies van der Rohe's 860 and 880 LSD towers are governed by the law. [Cityscapes, image: Tim Long via gowright.org]