About LPP - In the Beginning

[Article reprinted from the 1992-93 issues of LPP's newsletter "On the HomeFront" as authored by Richard Cohan, then manager of Omnibus Harbor Realty that owned what is now the 3rd floor resident offices area purchased by LPP in 1994.]
 
Lake Park Plaza, or as it was known in the beginning – Pine Point Plaza – was the result of a well-conceived development plan by one of Chicago's leading residential developers, Albert Robin. Award winning Martin Reinheimer was the architect, and Harbor Management Company was the design consultant and leasing and managing agent.
 
Construction began in the spring of 1968, with initial occupancy scheduled for the spring of 1970. Construction of the uniquely designed curved building was right on target until one bitter, freezing day in the winter of 1968-1969.
 
Our office at Omnibus Harbor received a call that the building was on fire. At first it seemed hard to believe that a building under construction, consisting of concrete and steel, could burn. But the fire turned out to be one of Chicago's most spectacular construction blazes. A propane heater, used to keep freshly poured concrete from freezing, exploded -- causing chain reaction explosions to hundreds of other heaters on what were then the top three floors of the building, which are now the 15th, 16th and 17th floors. When we arrived on the scene, the fire was already at multi-alarms (3-11).
 
In addition to delaying occupancy by seven months, the fire established a number of "firsts" – the first major fire where the "Mighty Mo", the fire department's new water cannon, was used to fight flames from the ground to the top floor of a high-rise; and the first fire to be covered by the Tribune with a four-color picture on the front page. (I didn't stay around for all the action because I fell into a nine foot ice-covered, water-filled hole, and had to be rescued by the fire department.)
 
Soon the fire was only an exciting memory. Construction resumed and the building went on to completion in the fall of 1970, becoming the fastest leasing building of the year.
 
There was never a doubt that the building would be great. Its location, mix of residents – both young and mature, friendly employees – many of whom are still here, and just a good feeling that it was a happy place to come home to, made the building an immediate success.
 
This is the story of Pine Point Plaza, circa 1968, to Lake Park Plaza, circa 1979. However, if only the walls could talk....you're living in a building that reached out and touched the lives of many people. Fortunately, most of its stories had a happy ending. Did you know that Lake Park Plaza was the home to some Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears? Maybe you were here and lived next door to Wally, the Wire Tapper; or maybe you worked on the campaign of local politicians who headquartered out of the building.
 
In the late seventies, the conversion of Lake Shore Drive buildings began. Pine Point Plaza – or, as we now know it, Lake Park Plaza – was one of the last luxury buildings to be converted; it became part of the program in 1978/1979.

The same factors of location, good neighbors and quality that made the building a tremendous rental success in the early seventies, made it an even greater value as a condominium. The entire sales program took only three months to complete and the building became one of the most successful conversions of that time. These factors continue to make us a success even today, as real estate brokers report that the building has few units for resale and is as sought after today as it was in the 70s.
 
While the in-house conversion of renters to unit owners was very high, there were a number of residents who moved; and of course, many new neighbors who, as owners, moved into the building.

As previously mentioned, the building had a rather colorful past and its share of Chicago's limelight. It was known as the sports residence of Chicago. At one time or another, eleven Chicago Cub players were in residence here during the baseball season, and nine Chicago Bears players during football season. All the residents enjoyed talking with these sports figures and giving them advice on how to improve their careers; or in some cases, how to get traded to winning teams. On any game day, the lobby was filled with well-wishers. The teams would leave the building and when they returned, it was either time for a celebration or a wake.

Sports figures were not the only "ancestors" of the building. Politicians, both past and present, lived here. The building has always played an important part in the politics and activities of the Lakeview-Uptown area. Many apartments could claim the title of smoke-filled back rooms, where candidates were chosen and election plans conceived.

Characters abounded! Although it was never proven, it was said that residents who lived here didn't have to go far to place a bet on a horse, even though it doesn't appear that there are, or were at that time, any horses in the neighborhood!

In February, 1992, our most colorful ancestor, Walter Pritchard (known as "Wally, the Wire Tapper") died – and with him probably died the memory of a lot of the building's ancestors whose pasts were always conversation for their neighbors.

Yes, our building has had a colorful past.... and is enjoying a lively present.... and can look forward to a golden future. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and this is one of the few places I know where, for the most part, everybody seems to enjoy life – making their homes here an integral part of this enjoyment.
 

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