Plaza del Lago
Encyclopedia
Plaza del Lago is a shopping center at 1515 Sheridan Road
in Wilmette, Illinois
, United States
which opened in 1928 as Spanish Court; it has been reported as the second-oldest shopping center in the United States designed for automobile use, and the first such center in the state of Illinois.
, a strip of land owned by Henry Gage which, for unclear reasons, was not annexed when the rest of Gage's property was annexed by Wilmette. The area started out as underdeveloped land lined by three gas stations, and Sheridan was unpaved. When Wilmette released "Plan of Wilmette" (the basis of their first zoning code) they had planned to annex the land as a park, but they did not do so; by 1926 they had lost the chance.
In the early 1960s Evanston lawyer Plato Foufas heard that a large section of No Man's Land might be up for sale. With lawyer Joseph Stefan's help, we acquired Spanish Court. They set out to renovate the shopping plaza, as well as the rest of No Man's Land, back to its former glory. Their renovation started in 1967. They tore down the Theatro and built a Jewel supermarket, tore down the 50 car garage to build arcade shops in an indoor hallway built to resemble a Spanish Street (which included a fountain), built new structures in the former Theatro del Lago parking lot, tore down the five story apartment structure to build a store that was for years occupied by Blockbuster. The new center was to be named "Plaza del Lago".
They were financially forced to allow a Howard Johnson's
restaurant to be built east of the Jewel, but fought to prevent them from building their trademark orange roof. Howard Johnson's did not fare well and closed. The last occupant of the premises was 'Convito Italiano'; they moved out in 2008, and the structure was torn down to build a new stucco structure housing three shops.
The main architectural feature is the original bell tower.
The Plaza was appraised as being successful due to the population density of the adjacent area and the lack of similar shopping centers nearby.
Sheridan Road
Sheridan Road is a major north-south thoroughfare that leads from Diversey Parkway in Chicago, Illinois, north to the Illinois-Wisconsin border and beyond to Racine. Throughout most of its run, it is the easternmost north-south through street, closest to Lake Michigan...
in Wilmette, Illinois
Wilmette, Illinois
Wilmette is a village in New Trier Township, Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located north of Chicago's downtown district and has a population of 27,651. Wilmette is considered a bedroom community in the North Shore district...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
which opened in 1928 as Spanish Court; it has been reported as the second-oldest shopping center in the United States designed for automobile use, and the first such center in the state of Illinois.
The land
Though the Plaza is in the village of Wilmette today, the tract of land it was built on was originally an undeveloped area known as No Man's LandNo Man's Land, Illinois
No Man's Land, Illinois was never an official place name, but has been used to refer to at least two areas that fit the broader meaning of No man's land.-Wilmette:...
, a strip of land owned by Henry Gage which, for unclear reasons, was not annexed when the rest of Gage's property was annexed by Wilmette. The area started out as underdeveloped land lined by three gas stations, and Sheridan was unpaved. When Wilmette released "Plan of Wilmette" (the basis of their first zoning code) they had planned to annex the land as a park, but they did not do so; by 1926 they had lost the chance.
Proposal for the Spanish Court (1920s)
The "Roaring 20's" was a time of booming prosperity across the nation. Plans for a Spanish styled shopping center in No Man's Land were drawn up in 1926 and 1927. Spanish Architecture was the style of the rich and famous during the 1920s. The plan was to build four buildings along the west of Sheridan Road. A drive would cut through the center of the plaza. South of the drive was to be a movie theater, Teatro del Lago, on the north a single story building holding a restaurant and shops. a larger building would be built next door with stores on the first floor, and apartments on the second, with a 50 car garage. At the end of north side would be a five story apartment. The plaza was designed by Edwin H. Clark. The plaza opened in 1928.Renovation to Plaza del Lago from 1960s
A fire in No Man's Land in the 1930s destroyed most of the other prominent structures. No Man's Land had become a honky tonk town with Gas Stations, Hot Dog Stands, and a rat infested garbage dump. Wilmette annexed No Man's Land on January 6, 1942.In the early 1960s Evanston lawyer Plato Foufas heard that a large section of No Man's Land might be up for sale. With lawyer Joseph Stefan's help, we acquired Spanish Court. They set out to renovate the shopping plaza, as well as the rest of No Man's Land, back to its former glory. Their renovation started in 1967. They tore down the Theatro and built a Jewel supermarket, tore down the 50 car garage to build arcade shops in an indoor hallway built to resemble a Spanish Street (which included a fountain), built new structures in the former Theatro del Lago parking lot, tore down the five story apartment structure to build a store that was for years occupied by Blockbuster. The new center was to be named "Plaza del Lago".
They were financially forced to allow a Howard Johnson's
Howard Johnson's
Howard Johnson's is a chain of hotels and restaurants, located primarily throughout the United States and Canada. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Howard Johnson's was the largest restaurant chain in the United States, with over 1,000 restaurants...
restaurant to be built east of the Jewel, but fought to prevent them from building their trademark orange roof. Howard Johnson's did not fare well and closed. The last occupant of the premises was 'Convito Italiano'; they moved out in 2008, and the structure was torn down to build a new stucco structure housing three shops.
The main architectural feature is the original bell tower.
The Plaza was appraised as being successful due to the population density of the adjacent area and the lack of similar shopping centers nearby.
Annual events
Annual events at the plaza include a summer concert series, an art show, a classic car show, sidewalk sales, and sometimes races for children. In winter, events can include carriage rides.See also
- 1616 Sheridan Road1616 Sheridan Road (Wilmette)1616 Sheridan Road is a high rise condo in Wilmette IL.. It was the first of the eight Wilmette high-rise condominiums/ apartments presently on Sheridan Road .-History:...
- 1500 Sheridan Road1500 Sheridan Road (Wilmette)1500 Sheridan Road is the tallest building in Wilmette, Illinois. The 17-story lake-side high rise was developed for use as a condominium tower. The building is located in the densely populated Plaza del Lago district, once an unincorporated area known as "No Man's Land."-Use:1500 Sheridan Road is...
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- No Man's Land, IllinoisNo Man's Land, IllinoisNo Man's Land, Illinois was never an official place name, but has been used to refer to at least two areas that fit the broader meaning of No man's land.-Wilmette:...
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