Historic Preservation Board continues review of 411 Michigan Avenue office project after neighbors press for design changes

The Historic Preservation Board continued its review of HPB 21-0486, a proposal to restore and relocate a 1934 contributing building and construct a new five‑story office building at 411 Michigan Avenue, to its June 14 meeting.

Staff and the applicant outlined a project that would relocate and elevate a modest Mediterranean‑style contributing building, demolish a rear accessory structure (previously approved for demolition in 2012), and place a new office building and a three‑level mechanized parking lift on the lot. Staff told the board it supports the project overall and the applicant's variance requests for an alternate 2open court2 configuration and an off‑street loading waiver, but recommended bifurcating approval for the parking structure because the proposed narrower drive aisle requires a formal variance and separate public noticing.

Why it matters: The site sits on the Fifth Street corridor directly north of a lower‑scale historic district; board members and nearby residents said design details will determine whether the project creates an appropriate transition between the commercial corridor and the preserved neighborhood to the south.

Staff presentation and key issues Staff described the proposal as a mixed‑use…