The city has agreed to hold an open house viewing at the Harley Clarke Mansion for groups interested in doing something long term with the shuttered building.
Officials announced plans to open up the building at 2603 Sheridan Road, located next to the Gross Point Lighthouse, for public viewing on Wednesday, August 3.
Reservations are being accepted from groups and individuals to view the interior in two time slots between 9 a.m., and 3 p.m. on that date. Meanwhile, an open house for the general public will be held between 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. on the same day, the city announced. A maximum of 20 people will be allowed in the building at given time, officials said.
To make reservations, interested parties should visit cityofevanston.org/mansion or call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, members of the public may also dial 311 while in Evanston, officials said.
The turn-of-the-century mansion has been shuttered since June 2015 after the Evanston Art Center, renting the property from the city for a nominal cost, moved to new quarters on Central Street.
In April, Landmarks Illinois, a state preservation group, placed the lakefront estate on its Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois list.
At a recent City Council meeting, Ald. Eleanor Revelle, in whose 7th Ward the building is located, requested the building be opened up for view for groups or individuals interested in doing something with the property.
One of those groups, Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens has been a strong advocate for an open house, and has registered to participate in the Aug. 3 viewing, confirmed Tom Hodgman, one of the group’s officers, on Tuesday.
Evanston Lakehouse & Gardens believes the property has “great potential to be a real asset to the community, both in terms of creating a place for everybody to enjoy the lakefront and connect with the environment, and to be an economic driver — to have a cafe, event space,” Hodgman said, “and other amenities that I think will be really unique to the North Shore.”
The group would like to do a full assessment of the building to help further their vision of a Community Lakehouse for the city, Hodgman said. He said the group hopes to be joined by architects, preservationists and skilled trades people at the Open House to aide in the property’s assessment.
The city has secured the mansion since the Art Center’s move, said officials.
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