# Preservationists Push for Englewood Mansion Landmark Status > Chicago preservation groups seek landmark status for 125-year-old O'Leary mansion to prevent demolition. - Title: Preservationists Push for Englewood Mansion Landmark Status - Summary: Chicago preservation groups seek landmark status for 125-year-old O'Leary mansion to prevent demolition. Landmarks Illinois and Preservation Chicago want the… - Keywords: englewood, oleary mansion, landmarks illinois, preservation chicago, chicago landmarks, garfield boulevard, james big jim oleary, great chicago fire, chicago architecture, historic preservation, demolition court, landmark status - Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/architecture-design/2026/09/21/preservationists-landmark-englewood-oleary-mansion - Published: 2026-09-21T23:37:50.473+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: englewood, oleary mansion, landmarks illinois, preservation chicago, chicago landmarks, garfield boulevard, james big jim oleary, great chicago fire, chicago architecture, historic preservation, demolition court, landmark status ## Preservationists seek landmark status Landmarks Illinois and Preservation Chicago want the O’Leary Mansion at 726 W. Garfield Blvd. to receive preliminary landmark status. > Landmarks Illinois and Preservation Chicago told the Commission on Chicago Landmarks’ Program Committee that the designation is needed to protect the vacant 125-year-old O’Leary Mansion, 726 W. Garfield Blvd., from demolition. ## Mansion in demolition court The 33-room house is currently in demolition court under a raft of code violations. Inspectors reported the home’s condition as dangerous. > The 33-room house is currently in demolition court under a raft of code violations. Inspectors reported the home’s condition as dangerous. ## O’Leary mansion history The historic 125-year-old house was built by James "Big Jim" O’Leary, whose mother was blamed for starting the Great Chicago Fire. > The historic but dilapidated 33-room, 125-year-old house was the residence of James "Big Jim" O’Leary, whose mother was blamed for starting the Great Chicago Fire. ## Architectural significance The red sandstone-fronted house is a Renaissance Revival riot with turrets, an ornate circular attic window and two-story bay windows flanking a prominent four-columned front porch. > The red sandstone-fronted house is a Renaissance Revival riot, with details that include turrets, an ornate circular attic window and two-story bay windows flanking a prominent four-columned front porch. ## O’Leary’s background James O’Leary grew up to become wealthy after his mother was blamed for starting the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. > Catherine O’Leary became part of Chicago folklore when she was accused of starting the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. ## O’Leary’s legacy He owned a gambling house and saloon at 41st and Halsted streets that burned down in the 1910 Union Stock Yards fire. > James O’Leary, who was two years old at the time, grew up to become wealthy. He owned a gambling house and saloon at 41st and Halsted streets that, as fate would have it, burned down in the massive Union Stock Yards fire of 1910. ## Preservationists’ reasoning Landmarks Illinois Interim President and CEO Frank Butterfield said the designation is needed to protect the house from demolition and preserve its architectural significance. > We’re looking at a number of factors [as reasons to landmark the house], from the architecture to the architect, to the people connected with this place ## Architect details The mansion was designed by Zachary Taylor Davis, an architect whose works include Wrigley Field and the old Comiskey Park. > Built in 1901, according to building permits Butterfield unearthed, the three-story mansion was designed by Zachary Taylor Davis, an architect whose works include Wrigley Field and the old, and dearly missed, Comiskey Park. ## O’Leary’s initials O’Leary’s initials can be found in the facade’s terra cotta detail. > O’Leary’s initials can be found in the facade’s terra cotta detail. ## Historic context The home is one of many surviving examples of high-style homes built along Garfield Boulevard for the well-to-do between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. > The home is one of many surviving examples of the high-style homes and apartment buildings that were constructed along Garfield Boulevard from Wells Street to Western Avenue for the well-to-do between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. ## Ownership status The 6,200-square-foot house was last listed for sale in 2024 at $450,000, but its owner is absent from the committee meeting. > The home’s owner was absent from the committee meeting. And who owns the 6,200-square-foot house is murky. It was last listed for sale in 2024 at $450,000, listing details on Redfin show. ## Preservation goals Preservation Chicago Executive Director Ward Miller hopes to find a steward to adopt the building and restore it for landmark designation. > We hope to have a good steward come forward to adopt the building and restore it and consent to landmark designation ## Next steps The Program Committee will forward the O’Leary mansion recommendation to the Department of Planning and Development’s Historic Preservation Division for possible follow-up. > The Program Committee forwarded the O’Leary mansion and other landmark recommendations from the public to the Department of Planning and Development’s Historic Preservation Division for possible follow-up. ## What happens next The division could take a pass on the recommendation or prepare a report to grant the house preliminary landmark status to protect it from demolition. > The division could take a pass on the recommendation, or after researching the building, the staffers could prepare a report that asks the full landmarks commission to grant the house a preliminary designation. ## Key takeaway Landmarks Illinois and Preservation Chicago want the O'Leary Mansion at 726 W. Garfield Blvd. to receive preliminary landmark status to protect it from demolition.