Loyola University starts demolition on Rogers Park flatiron building Chicago Sun-Times
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Chicago
Illinois
Midwest
United States
Commercial Building
Residential Complex
Demolished / Lost
Architecture
Public Research
Loyola Avenue Flatiron Building, Chicago
R. Bernard Kurzon's 30-unit flatiron building combined housing, neighborhood businesses, and arts spaces before university expansion erased the triangular landmark.
Loyola Avenue Flatiron Building
1224 West Loyola Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626
Precision: Exact
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Quick Take
- Architect R. Bernard Kurzon designed the flatiron building in 1926.
- It contained 30 apartments and later storefronts including Archie's Cafe, Roman Susan Gallery, and Edge Art.
- Loyola University began demolition in February 2026, removing both housing and small cultural-commercial spaces.
Email updates for Loyola Avenue Flatiron Building.
Why It Matters
The building used its triangular site to create a distinctive neighborhood marker at the edge of Loyola's campus. Thirty apartments above small storefronts combined housing density with local commerce.
Its later tenants added cultural value: a cafe and independent galleries made the building part of Rogers Park's everyday arts infrastructure.
Demolition shows how university land assembly can remove privately occupied neighborhood fabric even when the replacement is framed through institutional growth.
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Research Narrative
A 1926 Flatiron
R. Bernard Kurzon designed the masonry building to follow the pointed geometry of the site. Its 30 apartments placed residents directly above a fine-grained commercial frontage.
The shape made the building a visual marker while its mixed use supported ordinary neighborhood life rather than a single monumental purpose.
Housing And Arts Spaces Removed
Loyola acquired the property and began demolition in February 2026. Former storefront occupants included Archie's Cafe, Roman Susan Gallery, and Edge Art.
The loss should be measured in multiple ways: architectural character, 30 housing units, independent commercial rooms, and the continued expansion of institutional land along the neighborhood edge.
Public Actions
Campaign / Petition Record
Loyola University begins demolition at 1224 West Loyola Avenue
Demolition removed the 1926 apartment and storefront building.
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Loyola Avenue Flatiron Building, Chicago, Illinois
Mom says she killed in self-defense. Will jury agree? Chicago Sun-Times
Open StoryWith Loyola’s Demolition of Archie’s Starting, Community Resentment Lingers The Loyola Phoenix
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Related Updates
1 published update is linked to this article.
Watchlist Blog
February 24, 2026
Loyola demolishes a 1926 flatiron of apartments and arts spaces
University expansion removed R. Bernard Kurzon's 30-unit Rogers Park building along with the cafe and independent galleries that...
FAQ
What was lost besides the facade?
The building contained 30 apartments plus neighborhood commercial and arts spaces, so demolition removed housing and cultural infrastructure as well as architecture.
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Source Trail
Chicago Sun-Times: Loyola begins flatiron demolition
news
Architect, year, unit count, tenants, ownership, and demolition record.
Place Snapshot
- Place
- Loyola Avenue Flatiron Building
- Location
- 1224 West Loyola Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626
- Coverage
- Exact
Key Facts
- Region
- Chicago, Illinois / Midwest
- Location type
- Mixed-use apartment and storefront building
- Built
- 1926
- Architect
- R. Bernard Kurzon
- Current status
- Demolished in 2026
Design / Planning Timeline
R. Bernard Kurzon
1926
Milestone
Original architect
Designed the 30-unit flatiron apartment building.
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