Three of these illustrations were developed from black and white photos, so the colors are my best guess (and also based on surviving examples).

These were built by the City of Chicago in working class neighborhoods where a hot bath or shower wasn't guaranteed. The second-floor apartment was for the bath house attendant.

No.

I think your theory is a good one, but I can’t identify the architect/developer. These were first advertised along with a few others in the late 60s and early 70s. The most similar one remains at 856 W. Lill. A few others look like they were replaced or altered.

Looks like an inexpensive version of the fortress townhouse! What street?

I’m always reserving space at our library. Something about working in one of those fishbowl rooms keeps me honest.

The National Register nomination is basically 3 pages long! And zero historic images. Ah, the 1980s…

That’s a great idea! Although it seems to me the Kleenex should always be coming out of a chimney.

Probably. It was an inexpensive way to make a building a bit more imposing. But very susceptible to deterioration, so I’m sure many were lost or removed.

That’s a pretty unusual treatment in Chicago. There’s a similar false front at 1501 N. Milwaukee.