McCormick Mansion Proposal in 1978

In this November 7, 1978 article, the Chicago Tribune reported on a proposal to convert the historic Cyrus McCormick mansion into condominiums. At a meeting of the Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks, Seymour Goodman, owner of the 1892 landmark located at 20 E. Burton Pl., sought approval to remove two wings from the mansion and construct a 12-story condominium building behind it. His plan included dividing the mansion itself into four condominium apartments. However, the 12-story addition was ultimately rejected.

Designed by architect Stanford White, the mansion was built in 1893 for Chicago Tribune owner Joseph Medill, who gifted it to his daughter, Elinor "Cissy" Patterson, and her husband, Robert Wilson Patterson, who would later become the Tribune’s publisher. The mansion was later sold to Cyrus McCormick Jr., the first president of International Harvester and son of the reaper inventor, who expanded the home in 1927. This article originally appeared on November 7, 1978.