Criteria for Designation of Proposed Chicago Landmarks

  1. In considering a building or district for potential landmark designation, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks (a nine-member board appointed by the Mayor) is limited in its consideration only to the following seven criteria, as established in the Municipal Code of Chicago (Sect.2-120-620):
     
    1. Critical Part of City’s Heritage
       
      Its value as an example of the architectural, cultural, economic, historic, social, or other aspect of the heritage of the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, or the United States.
       
    2. Significant Historic Event
       
      Its location as a site of a significant historic event which may or may not have taken place within or involved the use of any existing improvements.
       
    3. Significant Person
       
      Its identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the architectural, cultural, economic, historic, social, or other aspect of the development of the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, or the United States.
       
    4. Important Architecture
       
      Its exemplification of an architectural type or style distinguished by innovation, rarity, uniqueness, or overall quality of design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship.
       
    5. Important Architect
       
      Its identification as the work of an architect, designer, engineer, or builder whose individual work is significant in the history or development of the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, or the United States.
       
    6. Distinctive Theme as a District
       
      Its representation of an architectural, cultural, economic, historic, social or other theme expressed through distinctive area, districts, places, buildings, structures, works of art, or other objects that may or may not be contiguous.
       
    7. Unique Visual Feature
       
      Its unique location or distinctive physical appearance or presence representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community, or the City of Chicago.
     
    A potential Chicago Landmark must meet at least two of the above landmark criteria.
     
  2. It also must meet an additional “integrity” criterion as specified in the Municipal Code (Sect.2120-630). It must have “a significant historic, community, architectural or aesthetic interest or value, the integrity of which is preserved in light of its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and ability to express such historic, community, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value.”