Historic Wilmette Home Being Moved To Evanston

The following is from the City of Evanston regarding a historic home by architect John Van Bergen that was facing possible demolition.

On Friday, October 10, work will begin to relocate the historic John Van Bergen Irving House to Evanston from its current location at 1318 Isabella Rd. in Wilmette. The house will be temporarily stored in the parking lot of the future Whole Foods location at Isabella St. and Green Bay Rd. until the new site in Evanston is ready.

This preservation project was brought to light when Landmarks Illinois, the state’s leading voice for historic preservation, identified the home as an important and threatened historic piece of property. Built in 1928, the house was designed by John Van Bergen, who worked in the office of Frank Lloyd Wright and served as a notable Prairie School (late 19th/early 20th century architectural style) designer.

The house is currently divided into three sections, which will be moved individually by truck. The move will take place on October 10 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Additionally, a no parking zone will be enforced on both sides of Isabella St., between Ewing Ave. and Green Bay Rd., on October 10 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

A police escort will be present and traffic will be rerouted while the house is transported. Commuters are encouraged to use extreme caution, as the structure will take up much of the street and workers will be present.

The developer who purchased the John Van Bergen Irving House hopes to build a new home on the Wilmette lot, but allowed time to remove the historic home so that it could be properly preserved. Once the project is completed and the house is in its new Evanston location, work will be completed to obtain its landmark status.

For more information about the preservation project and relocation of the John Van Bergen Irving House, please call/text 847-448-4311. To view photos of house, click here >>>

Photo courtesy of the City of Evanston.