Vautravers Building Explained

Vautravers Building
Architectural Style:Greystone
Location:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Address:947–949 West Newport Avenue
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Floor Count:3

The Vautravers Building is a historic apartment building at 947 W Newport in the Lake View neighborhood of Chicago. It was relocated in 2021 to preserve it as part of the reconstruction of the CTA Red Line elevated rail structure.[1]

Constructed in 1894, the building's original owners refused to sell when the Northwestern Elevated Railroad was constructed, forcing the tracks to be curved to avoid the building. When the CTA was preparing to modernize the tracks (now carrying the CTA's Red and Purple lines) in 2021, the building was moved approximately 30 feet to allow the tight curves to be straightened.[2]

Fourteen other buildings in the area were demolished as part of the rail improvements, with the Vautravers Building being the only structure to be preserved by relocation.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yan . Jade . CTA begins moving historic Lakeview house 30 feet west as part of Brown Line flyover project . chicagotribune.com . 3 August 2021.
  2. Web site: Molina . Nina . Historic Lake View building moving westward — literally — so Red Line tracks can be straightened . Chicago Sun-Times . 3 August 2021 . en . 2 August 2021.
  3. Web site: LOSS: Belmont Flyover Demolition Underway PreservationChicago . . 3 August 2021.