Rookwood Apartments
Why it's listed
Rookwood is a large courtyard apartment building at 718-34 Noyes Street in Evanston, completed in 1927 to designs by Conner and Connor. It rises three stories above an English basement and is faced mainly in grey brick, with limestone used as a counterpoint. Tudor details include crenellations, gables and Tudor-arched doorways, and the roofs are slate. The 51 apartments include twelve studios and two- and three-bedroom units facing Noyes Street and the side garden. Its sales brochure called the units apartment homes and advertised fireproof construction and a pool for residents. The building is considered significant for its simple massing, subdued coloration and its private sunken garden court, which gives residents the privacy of a back yard. It fits comfortably between nearby single-family streets and neighboring apartment buildings. Victor C. Carlson, a prominent Evanston developer of the 1920s who also built the Orrington Hotel and the Carlson Building, developed it.
Significance in brief: The nomination holds that the building is architecturally noteworthy for its simple geometric massing, detailing and subtle coloration. Its landscaped private garden court sets it apart from other Evanston courtyard buildings. It was also developed by Victor C. Carlson, an important Evanston developer of large buildings in the 1920s.
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 84001043, listed March 15, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 718-734 Noyes St., Evanston |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | March 15, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001043 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Conner and Connor |
| Architectural style | Tudor details on a courtyard apartment building |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Reroofed in 1981; the form lists 51 apartments and 16 garages on the property. |
| Acreage | 0.7 |
| Within district | Northeast Evanston Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.05833, -87.68143 (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 84001043.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q96402594
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.