It was an honor to work alongside our pals at A.L.L. Masonry on the restoration and remodeling of the landmarked 1912 lion house at Lincoln Park Zoo Designed by legendary Prairie Style architect Dwight Perkins, the building is a masterpiece of Arts & Crafts detailing — just take a look at the herringbone tile pattern on the vaulted ceiling!
However, animal enclosure design has come a long way since the beginnings of this historic facility. Having started in 1868 with a gift of two swans from Central Park in New York City, the park “menagerie” officially became the nation’s third ever zoo with the purchase of a bear cub in 1874. Suffice it to say, in the early days, the world wasn’t too familiar with the best practices of keeping exotic wild animals for scientific study and public amusement. The small cages of the big cat habitat became a focus for renovation in the new millennium, with the intent of also carefully preserving the structure’s renowned vintage architecture.
We supplied carefully matched Ragland Brick “Full Range Ragtex” for exterior masonry repairs, as well as Watsontown Brick “Chelsea Ironspot Smooth” thin brick for the columns between the windows of the new outdoor lion enclosure. The building’s gorgeous interior also needed brick veneer for the walls around a new set of bathrooms, so we provided Endicott Brick in “Golden Buff Smooth” to evoke the soft yellows used on its infamous ceiling vault.
The building is a magical realization of a years-long effort. Human visitors will appreciate the exciting new viewing corridors, while we’re certain the furry friends inside are pleased with their new digs!
LOCATION: 2101 N Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL 60614
ARCHITECT: Goettsch Partners + PJA Zoo Design
GC: Pepper Construction
MASON: ALL Masonry
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Endicott Brick, Ragland Brick, Watsontown Brick
