Hermitage Apartments
Also known as: 4606 North Hermitage Avenue
Why it's listed
Built in 1927-28 at 4606 North Hermitage Avenue in Chicago's Ravenswood area, this three-story apartment building sits over an English basement and holds 48 units, mostly studios with some one-bedrooms, along a central corridor. Architect Jens J. Jensen designed it for Lionel H. Uhlmann, a cheese company president whose first real-estate venture it apparently was. Most corridor buildings of the era followed a symmetrical formula, but Jensen made this facade informal and irregular. Its five bays differ in projection, materials and window sizes, and the roofline carries three different dormers, a parapet, a chimney and a small conical spire with a weather vane. The entrance is understated, so the building reads almost like five narrow old houses. It suited a neighborhood that kept a quiet, suburban character. The facade is pressed red brick and gray limestone, and changes since 1928 have been minor, including a replaced roof covering and a few removed finials.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building stands out among Chicago's many common-corridor apartment buildings for its fine design and high integrity. Jensen deliberately broke up the symmetry of the facade to give this hotel-like building type an old-fashioned, domestic appearance, with five dissimilar bays that read almost like five narrow old houses.
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 85000266, listed February 14, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4606 N. Hermitage Ave., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | February 14, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85000266 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1927-28 |
| Architect / builder | Jens J. Jensen |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied; described as little changed since 1928, with an intact, well-maintained facade. The slate mansard roof has been replaced with composition shingles. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Within district | East Ravenswood Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.96597, -87.67296 (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 85000266.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14687542
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.