Evanston Towers
Why it's listed
Built in 1924 at 554-602 Sheridan Square in Evanston, this apartment building was designed by architect Anthony H. Quitsow. Faced in red brick with limestone trim, it rises three stories above an English basement and follows an unusual E-shaped plan with a double courtyard. The recessed central section leaves a sunken formal garden at the front. Tudor details include recessed Tudor-arched doorways, parapet shields, hood molds over windows, gabled bays and a crenellated tower on the north wing. Inside are 58 apartments of four to six rooms, many with hardwood floors and fireplaces with Tudor motifs. A 1928 portfolio described it as superbly located, with views of Lake Michigan and a rear light court that brought in light and air. It offered seventeen garages, vapor heat, artificial refrigeration and a tenant motor coach. It was listed for its distinctive courtyard form and its cohesive, human-scaled Tudor design. Two basement apartments were added in 1943, and kitchens were remodeled in 1979 for condominium conversion.
Significance in brief: The building is an example of the unusual E-shaped, double-court apartment type. Its Tudor design elements and picturesque approach give a sense of cohesion and human scale not often found in courtyard buildings of this size. It was advertised in 1928 as among the finest apartments in Evanston, with lake views and amenities.
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 84000990, listed March 15, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 554-602 Sheridan Sq., Evanston |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | March 15, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000990 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Anthony H. Quitsow |
| Architectural style | Tudor-derived design elements; E-shaped courtyard apartment type |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Apartments were converted to condominiums, with kitchen remodeling in 1979; the form lists more than 50 owners. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.02868, -87.66952 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 84000990.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14687498
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.