John Wellborn Root Astor Street Residence 2




Historic Restoration
John Wellborn Root – Astor Street Residence

	This was also the residence of John W. Root, Jr. who became a celebrated architect in his own right. Partnering with John Holabird, they designed a number of famous Art Deco buildings, including 333 North Michigan (1928), Daily News (1929), Palmolive (1929), Chicago Board of Trade (1930) and the Century of Progress World’s Fair (1933). This was also the home of Harriet Monroe who founded Poetry Magazine here in 1912. The acclaimed firm of Vinci Hamp Architects designed the restoration. Historic illustrations detailed with Root’s original designs for this property were used. Goldberg General Contracting (GGC) custom crafted the architectural millwork to match its 19th Century design. The library, main stairway and entry hall were all restored. New treads, balusters and handrails were replicated. Additionally, new windows, moldings, trim, wainscoting and columns were crafted. Finally, all new electrical, plumbing, and heating systems were installed. A new rear entry, deck and backyard were also redesigned and built. Reconstructing the main façade, GGC fabricated and installed large sandstone blocks to create a prominent main entryway, with a new reshaped sidewalk, brickwork and plantings. Painstakingly, the yellow sandstone was tooled and chiseled with a narrow banding to match the buildings original façade. The restoration earned top honors from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Architect: Vinci \| Hamp Architects Inc., Photography: Ferguson Photographic Illustration