Amberleaf Home is honored to share that the Lawson House project has been awarded two prestigious recognitions from the Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation in August 2024: the Award for Rehabilitation and the Legacy Award, with a ceremony set for October 18, 2024. These awards celebrate the successful restoration of historic structures and their lasting impact on the community.
Originally constructed in 1931 as a YMCA skyscraper, Lawson House is a Chicago architectural gem. Over a 28-month rehabilitation, the building was transformed into 409 affordable micro-apartments, offering housing solutions for low-income residents, many of whom were previously homeless. The project meticulously preserved its Art Deco features while integrating modern amenities like new kitchens, bathrooms, and energy-efficient systems.
Amberleaf Home is proud to have supplied custom kitchen and bath cabinetry for each unit, the made in Chicago cabinetry designed to reflect the building’s historic elegance while providing functionality for today’s residents. Our cabinetry was manufactured locally in Chicago, blending seamlessly into the building’s updated interiors and enhancing the living experience for all residents.
The Award for Rehabilitation celebrates the careful balance between preserving architectural heritage and adding contemporary features, while the Legacy Award recognizes the long-term community impact of the project. Located in Chicago’s Near North Side, an area where affordable housing is scarce, Lawson House now serves as a critical resource for the city’s low-income population.
Additionally, Peter and Jackie Holsten, the co-developers behind the project, led the initiative to modernize all major building systems, reducing energy and water consumption and earning the building LEED Gold certification. The renovation was funded through a combination of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Preservation Tax Credits, and various grants.
This dual recognition from Landmarks Illinois reflects the importance of preserving Chicago’s historical architecture while creating modern, affordable housing solutions. Amberleaf Home is proud to have played a key role in this project and looks forward to continuing to contribute to impactful developments like Lawson House.
For more details, visit the official announcement on the Landmarks Illinois website.