Architectural Ambition in Public Housing
The Hilliard Homes marked a distinct departure from the standard public housing design when they opened in the summer of 1966. Designed by the modernist architect Bertrand Goldberg, the four buildings stand as a unique intersection of social planning and structural experimentation. The site includes two upright cylinders and two crescent-shaped structures on a 12.5-acre campus. These shapes provide a visual texture that contrasts sharply with the boxy, concrete slabs that characterized much of the Chicago Housing Authority development during the mid-20th century.
Goldberg designed the complex to avoid the monotony of previous projects. His goal was for the architecture to recognize the humanity of its residents. He described the buildings as being supported by their exterior walls, comparing the efficiency of the structure to an eggshell. This design philosophy created lozenge-shaped windows and rippled wall surfaces that remain recognizable across the Chicago skyline today. The construction cost approximately $11.65 million in 1966, which equates to roughly $120 million by modern standards.
The Evolution of the Levee District
The land now occupied by Hilliard Homes carries a history far removed from its current residential use. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the site sat at the center of the Levee, a notorious red-light district. This area once housed the Everleigh Club, a high-profile brothel located near what is now the space between the two cylindrical towers. Reformers dismantled the district in the 1910s, leaving behind decades of decay until the urban redevelopment initiatives of the 1960s began to transform the Near South Side.
By the mid-1960s, the Chicago Housing Authority sought to change its reputation. Officials wanted to build housing that could appeal to a range of income levels rather than just the destitute. Charles Swibel, who managed the authority and had previously worked with Goldberg on Marina City, spearheaded the project. The result was a campus featuring 710 apartments, with 364 units designated for senior citizens and 346 for low-income families. The inclusion of an amphitheater and extensive landscaping further separated the project from the grim aesthetic of traditional high-rise estates.
Modern Maintenance and Future Outlook
Maintaining a mid-century modernist masterpiece presents constant challenges for modern managers. Victor Medina, the director of construction at Holsten Real Estate, notes the functional difficulties of the design. The curved exterior walls make placing standard furniture like beds difficult, and finding window coverings that match the curvature remains an ongoing issue for tenants. Residents like Thelma Alcorn, who has occupied a unit since 1969, often hear visitors mistake the project for luxury condominiums due to its distinct exterior.
A $100 million rehabilitation project in 2006 kept the buildings viable while respecting Goldberg’s original intent. Additions made during this period, such as management offices and new lobbies, were constructed using concrete and window shapes that mimic the original aesthetic. Despite these efforts, the buildings face new hurdles. The metal screens along the exterior hallways now admit rain and snow, leading to proposals for glass curtain walls. As the current management firm considers selling its portfolio, the future preservation of these unique structures hinges on balancing structural integrity with the needs of modern tenants.