Establishing Historic Landmark 237 N Michigan St

Home Browse Search

At the May 16, 1994 regular monthly meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County (HPC) , the HPC voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation for the Local Historic Landmark designation of the LaSalle Hotel at 237 North Michigan Street to the South Bend Common Council. RECOMMENDATION Based on HPC Local Landmark Criteria [1] , it is the Historic Preservation Commission's recommendation that the South Bend Common Council designate the LaSalle Hotel at 237 North Michigan Street by ordinance as a Local Historic Landmark. The property meets the criteria in at least four areas: 1. "Its . . . value as part of the development, heritage, or culture of the City of South Bend . . . " 2. "its embodiment of elements of architectural design, details, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic . . . ;" 3. "its educational value," and; 4. "its suitability for preservation." This structure fulfills criteria #1 as a significant example of the city's commercial heritage. Early this century downtown South Bend was home to several hotels, among them the Hoffman, the Jefferson, the Lincoln and the Oliver; only the LaSalle Hotel remains standing. Every effort should be made to protect the remaining structures that played a primary role in the lives of the city's residents. The structure fufills criteria #2 as an example of the craftsmanship of the time. The architectural style, materials and type of structural system employed in the construction are representative examples of historic architecture that are found in diminishing quantity or are being altered beyond recognition. The building's educational value (criteria #3) lies in its embodiment of the above; these forms and styles represent the culture and lifeways of past residents of South Bend. This building is an artifact with which to study the past; its retention and preservation will contribute to a fuller understanding of South Bend's history and culture. That this building is suitable for preservation (criteria #4) is evidenced by the relatively unaltered nature of its facades. The LaSalle Hotel is an essentially intact presence on the streetscape of the northeast corner of the South Bend Historic Multiple Resource Area which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION The LaSalle Hotel received a rating of S/12 in the City of South Bend Summary Report. [2] This report conducted by the HPC and its staff surveyed approximately six thousand sites within South Bend and is part of the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory.