Jewish People's Institute

Address: 3500 W. Douglas Blvd. Year Built: 1927 Architect: Klaber & Grunsfeld Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: June 28, 2000

This building was the cultural nucleus of Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood during the first half of the 20th century when it was one of the nation's largest Jewish communities. Its classrooms, auditorium, and athletic facilities provided a rich variety of social, recreational and arts activities for generations of both children and adults. Designed by Ernest A. Grunsfeld, Jr., who also designed the Adler Planetarium, the building has a distinctive Byzantine-influenced exterior visually interpreting the Middle-Eastern origins of Judaism.