One thing that has always stood out to me about the modernist architecture of Harry Weese is that he did not follow the trends of the day. In my personal opinion, his work is truly timeless. Not only is it original, but it also covered a wide range of projects including transit systems, infill townhouses, churches, and office towers. In the 1960s he was ahead of his time by saving and restoring historic structures like Adler & Sullivan’s Auditorium (he offered his services free of charge). Or repurposing them, like the Fulton House, a former cold storage warehouse and the oldest surviving building on the Chicago River, which is now condominiums. As an investor he predicted the resurgence of Chicago’s South Loop when he bought and converted crumbling industrial buildings into lofts on what is now Printer’s Row in the 1970s. He was
I grew up in Evanston, with my parents Robert Weese Harker, and Jean Harker and sister lived. My grandmother, Mildred Weese Harker (Granny), and her sister, Aunt Rosie (as we knew her), had the two houses built by Harry Weese. I have fond memories of staying at my grandmother’s house (great Thanksgiving memories) and visiting Aunt Rosie’s, where she always had fun candy and baked delicious cookies. I also cherish memories of visiting Harry Weese’s designed house in Barrington, especially the suspension bridge across the sunken living room - a marvel for a 10-year-old like me! My father maintained a close relationship with Harry Weese until his passing in 1987. I’m Bob Harker. Peace.
Is the water tower house located just to the south of the Bill and Jane Welch House? Satellite images of 715 S Hough St look like the house, courtyard, and covered car port to me! The orientation, relation to the water tower, and chimeny location too. It does look like they added a sloped roof/cupola and a separate garage.
I grew up in Evanston, with my parents Robert Weese Harker, and Jean Harker and sister lived. My grandmother, Mildred Weese Harker (Granny), and her sister, Aunt Rosie (as we knew her), had the two houses built by Harry Weese. I have fond memories of staying at my grandmother’s house (great Thanksgiving memories) and visiting Aunt Rosie’s, where she always had fun candy and baked delicious cookies. I also cherish memories of visiting Harry Weese’s designed house in Barrington, especially the suspension bridge across the sunken living room - a marvel for a 10-year-old like me! My father maintained a close relationship with Harry Weese until his passing in 1987. I’m Bob Harker. Peace.
Is the water tower house located just to the south of the Bill and Jane Welch House? Satellite images of 715 S Hough St look like the house, courtyard, and covered car port to me! The orientation, relation to the water tower, and chimeny location too. It does look like they added a sloped roof/cupola and a separate garage.
Also designed by Harry Weese: the beautiful library at the Morton Arboretum!
https://open.substack.com/pub/bulletinofremarkabletrees/p/bulletin-of-remarkable-trees-vol-72d?r=1gf6i&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Great article. Thank you.