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Historic Preservation Commission approves demolition and new home at 418 East Sixth Street
Summary
The Hinsdale Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved demolition of the existing house and granted a certificate of appropriateness to construct a new single-family home at 418 East Sixth Street (Case HPC-2-2026). The applicant’s representative said the existing structure is in disrepair and the new design aims to respect the block’s massing and materials.
The Hinsdale Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Feb. 4 to approve demolition of the existing house at 418 East Sixth Street and to grant a certificate of appropriateness for a new single-family home in the Robins Park Historic District (Case HPC-2-2026).
At a public hearing, Patrick Fortalka, representing applicants Stephanie and Andrew Little, said the house had ‘‘fallen into disrepair, taken some water’’ and was ‘‘definitely not a good option for a renovation.’’ Fortalka asked the commission to consider demolition first and then review the new construction design. He said the proposed house blends English arts-and-crafts and Americana motifs, uses double-hung white windows, proposes a slate roof and a stone veneer, and includes a zinc-coated copper ridge/vent detail.
Commissioners and the applicant discussed changes made since the project’s design review. Fortalka said the team removed contemporary coach lights from earlier renderings and refined window choices; he said the owners prefer white windows. On massing, Fortalka said the second floor is set back roughly 15 to 20 feet to make the upper story less imposing and to respect the block’s existing symmetry while avoiding a dominant double-gable profile.
The materials conversation noted a natural stone mock-up described as similar in color to a commonly used Hinsdale stone called ‘‘basswood gray’’ but with more texture; Fortalka said the stone would be sourced from Wisconsin. When asked about a small courtyard window by a commissioner, Fortalka confirmed its presence and offered to provide additional views in subsequent submittals.
After public comment was closed, commissioners first voted to approve the demolition application. They then voted to approve the certificate of appropriateness for the new single-family home in the Robins Park Historic District. The roll calls recorded Commissioners Weinberger, Gonzales, Harlow, Elder and Chairman Bonin as voting in favor; Commissioner Barclay was recorded as absent earlier in the meeting. Both motions carried.
Next steps include final permit filings and construction review under local permitting processes. The applicant thanked the commission after the approvals.
