6934 N. Glenwood Avenue

From HistoryWiki

6934 N. Glenwood Avenue, S. Linder, 1919.

6934 N. Glenwood Avenue, ArtSpace RP Building, 2011.

6934 N. Glenwood Avenue, Rogers Park Center for Massage Therapy, 2016.

Circa: 1916

Original Owner:

Present (2011) Owner: Al Goldberg

This location is featured in the 2011 Annual House Tour.

Owner Al Goldberg bought this building in 1999 with the goal of using the building’s second floor as an artists’ live/work space. A prominent Rogers Park booster and activist, Goldberg actually had wanted to buy the 1916 building for about fifteen years before finally having the chance to do so. The upstairs features nine units, most of which had originally been used as doctors’ offices, with some apartments in the rear of the building. Drawing his inspiration from an artists’ live/work space in Evanston he owned with his wife, Goldberg wanted to create a similar space in this building. In his renovation of the property, Goldberg preserved the original oak staircase, marble stairs, and mosaic tile floors. The renovation of the property was recognized with several awards, including the Good Neighbor Award from the Chicago Association of Realtors, and the Façade of the Year Award from DevCorp North (now Rogers Park Business Alliance). Additionally, Goldberg was recognized by the Rogers Park Community Council as the Citizen of the Year for his efforts in turning the building into the inviting and multi-use building that it is.

The skylights, which dramatically light up the interior of the space, create an ideal atmosphere for the artwork which covers the walls in the hallway and stairway of the building. The building also features an outdoor roof deck, a surprisingly tranquil space for gardening, gathering, and meditating. A true oasis in a very busy transportation intersection, the second floor is currently occupied by artists, a photographer/videographer, and a massage therapist.