Building at 548-606 Michigan Avenue
Why it's listed
Built in 1924 on the west side of Michigan Avenue in Evanston, this brownish-orange brick apartment building rises three stories above an English basement and is arranged around a courtyard. W. Hilton Smith is named as architect or builder. A decorative wrought iron gate opens onto a private courtyard that widens toward the rear, with paths of colored stones leading to five secluded entrances. The plan is bilaterally symmetrical, yet the facades are broken by polygonal and rectangular bays with casement windows. Terra cotta ornament forms sills and suggestions of hoodmolds, and the geometry grows more complex in the parapet. The ornament is Gothic in its verticality and exuberance but reworked into geometric motifs recalling the Prairie School. Interiors include hardwood floors, tiled fireplaces and glass-paneled doors between many rooms. Its picturesque massing allows alcoves, good ventilation and varied views. The only recorded alteration is a 1980 asphalt shingle reroofing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is unique for the complexity of its massing combined with highly original ornament. Its terra cotta ornament is Gothic in its verticality and exuberance but recast into geometric motifs suggestive of the Prairie School. It is described as one of Evanston's most visually interesting courtyard buildings.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84000945, listed March 15, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 548-606 Michigan Ave., Evanston |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | March 15, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000945 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | W, Hilton Smith |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Reroofed with asphalt shingles in 1980; the form lists no other alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.02866, -87.67266 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84000945.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q96374087
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.