Dick’s hosts Prentice debate

15-Jun-11 – More than 100 people attended a debate Tuesday night at Marina City’s Dick’s Last Resort at which the fate of another Goldberg building, Prentice Hospital, was discussed.

The current owner of Prentice, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, wants to demolish the 1974 structure. Chicago’s landmark commission was going to discuss possible landmark status for Prentice, but it slipped off the agenda on June 2.

Moderated by cultural critic Edward Lifson, panelists included a UIC professor, an attorney, and two preservation experts. According to Lifson, representatives of Northwestern Hospital were invited to participate in the discussion but they declined.

The panel was comfortable comparing Prentice to Marina City. Jack Guthman, an attorney with Shefsky & Froelich, produced a rare printed copy of Dans La Ville (“On The City”), a long-out-of-print 1985 book containing more than two dozen early photographs of Marina City. He described Marina City architect Bertrand Goldberg as “a man that should have a place in the sun in Chicago.”

(Above) More than 100 people gathered for the two-hour “Re-use it or lose it” debate Tuesday evening at Dick’s Last Resort.

A fundraising event on June 6 at Marina City’s 10pin Bowling Lounge attracted about 70 people. According to Lisa DiChiera, Advocacy Director for Landmarks Illinois, the money will help Landmarks Illinois and Preservation Chicago with “advocacy expenses,” some of which were incurred this week.

On Wednesday, a “Rally to Save Prentice” will start at 10:45 a.m. at McClurg Court and Huron Street.

• Facebook page: Save Prentice
• Building Permits (including any demolition permits) at 333 East Superior: City of Chicago Data Portal