Andrew Rebori
Encyclopedia
Andrew Nicholas Rebori was a prominent Chicago architect who was a member of the Chicago school
of architecture.
Private Tour video of notable projects by Andrew Rebori http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8z1oNRk780&sns=em
Rebori was friends during his childhood with future presidential nominee Al Smith
. At age 15, Rebori began working in the office of New York architect Charles Alling Gifford making blueprints, and he also worked for architect Herbert D. Hale. Rebori finished evening high school at age 18. Later in Rebori's teen years, he studied under New York architect Henry Hornbostel
.
From 1905 until 1907, Rebori attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, where he met his future wife, Nannie Prendergast of Wheaton, Illinois
, who was the niece of Chicago Tribune publisher Robert R. McCormick
. Rebori and Prendergast married in 1913.
From 1908 until 1909, Rebori studied in the famed Ecole des Beaux Arts, subsequently working for the noted neo-classical architect Cass Gilbert
in New York.
Rebori earned a bachelor's degree from the Armour Institute of Technology in 1911.
, who became something of a mentor to Rebori.
Rebori worked in the office of architect Jarvis Hunt
from 1914 until 1922, after which point he founded his own firm, Rebori, Wentworth, Dewey and McCormick.
Rebori's firm eventually dissolved in 1932, and he worked in private practice by himself until 1940. He performed various wartime projects from 1941 until 1944, and then worked as a consulting architect for DeLeuw, Cather & Co. from 1944 until 1955. Rebori also worked in private practice from 1952 until 1961, when he retired.
s."
However, Rebori at the same time was known for his own pre-World War II modernist style, which was best seen in his Fisher Studio Houses
development. And, he was well-known for being willing to tailor his work to a client's request, making him more of an eclectic architect than anything else.
"The architect is no longer an individualist, he is a follower," Rebori told the Chicago Tribune in an article that appeared on December 22, 1963. "Today's architects just want to please their patrons."
in Chicago.
. Rebori had two children. His son, Andrew P. Rebori (1916-1952), an army aviator during World War II, died of polio on September 15, 1952. Rebori's daughter, Naneen (sometimes shown as being spelled Nanneen) Rebori Donaldson (1914-1996), died on June 15, 1996.
Chicago school (architecture)
Chicago's architecture is famous throughout the world and one style is referred to as the Chicago School. The style is also known as Commercial style. In the history of architecture, the Chicago School was a school of architects active in Chicago at the turn of the 20th century...
of architecture.
Private Tour video of notable projects by Andrew Rebori http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8z1oNRk780&sns=em
Early life and education
Born in New York City, Rebori was the son of an engineer who had immigrated to the U.S. from Italy.Rebori was friends during his childhood with future presidential nominee Al Smith
Al Smith
Alfred Emanuel Smith. , known in private and public life as Al Smith, was an American statesman who was elected the 42nd Governor of New York three times, and was the Democratic U.S. presidential candidate in 1928...
. At age 15, Rebori began working in the office of New York architect Charles Alling Gifford making blueprints, and he also worked for architect Herbert D. Hale. Rebori finished evening high school at age 18. Later in Rebori's teen years, he studied under New York architect Henry Hornbostel
Henry Hornbostel
Henry Hornbostel was an American architect.He designed more than 225 buildings, bridges, and monuments in the United States; currently 22 are listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
.
From 1905 until 1907, Rebori attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
, where he met his future wife, Nannie Prendergast of Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton is an affluent community located in DuPage County, Illinois, approximately west of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Wheaton is the county seat of DuPage County...
, who was the niece of Chicago Tribune publisher Robert R. McCormick
Robert R. McCormick
Robert Rutherford "Colonel" McCormick was a member of the McCormick family of Chicago who became owner and publisher of the Chicago Tribune newspaper...
. Rebori and Prendergast married in 1913.
From 1908 until 1909, Rebori studied in the famed Ecole des Beaux Arts, subsequently working for the noted neo-classical architect Cass Gilbert
Cass Gilbert
- Historical impact :Gilbert is considered a skyscraper pioneer; when designing the Woolworth Building he moved into unproven ground — though he certainly was aware of the ground-breaking work done by Chicago architects on skyscrapers and once discussed merging firms with the legendary Daniel...
in New York.
Rebori earned a bachelor's degree from the Armour Institute of Technology in 1911.
Professional career
In 1909, Rebori moved to Chicago as a professor of architecture at the Armour Institute. The following year, he met famed architect Louis SullivanLouis Sullivan
Louis Henri Sullivan was an American architect, and has been called the "father of skyscrapers" and "father of modernism" He is considered by many as the creator of the modern skyscraper, was an influential architect and critic of the Chicago School, was a mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright, and an...
, who became something of a mentor to Rebori.
Rebori worked in the office of architect Jarvis Hunt
Jarvis Hunt
Jarvis Hunt was a "renowned Chicago architect" who designed a wide array of buildings, including train stations, suburban estates, industrial buildings, clubhouses and other structures....
from 1914 until 1922, after which point he founded his own firm, Rebori, Wentworth, Dewey and McCormick.
Rebori's firm eventually dissolved in 1932, and he worked in private practice by himself until 1940. He performed various wartime projects from 1941 until 1944, and then worked as a consulting architect for DeLeuw, Cather & Co. from 1944 until 1955. Rebori also worked in private practice from 1952 until 1961, when he retired.
Architectural style
Rebori had little use for most modern buildings, which he once referred to as "steel and glass upside-down cakeUpside-down cake
An upside-down cake is a cake usually made in a pan with a curved bottom. Once cooked, turned over and allowed to set, the cake is eaten upside-down...
s."
However, Rebori at the same time was known for his own pre-World War II modernist style, which was best seen in his Fisher Studio Houses
Fisher Studio Houses
The Fisher Studio Houses is a Art Moderne style house in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The house was built in 1936 by Andrew Rebori and Edgar Miller for Frank Fisher, Jr. It was designated a Chicago Landmark on July 31, 1996.-References:...
development. And, he was well-known for being willing to tailor his work to a client's request, making him more of an eclectic architect than anything else.
"The architect is no longer an individualist, he is a follower," Rebori told the Chicago Tribune in an article that appeared on December 22, 1963. "Today's architects just want to please their patrons."
Death
Rebori died at his home at 6 E. Scott Street in Chicago on May 31, 1966. He is buried in Graceland CemeteryGraceland Cemetery
Graceland Cemetery is a large Victorian era cemetery located in the north side community area of Uptown, in the city of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Established in 1860, its main entrance is at the intersection of Clark Street and Irving Park Road...
in Chicago.
Family
Rebori's wife, Nannie, died on May 16, 1917 in Chicago and was buried in Winfield, IllinoisWinfield, Illinois
Winfield is an incorporated village located in Milton and Winfield Townships, DuPage County, Illinois, United States. The population was 8,718 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 9,984 in 2008....
. Rebori had two children. His son, Andrew P. Rebori (1916-1952), an army aviator during World War II, died of polio on September 15, 1952. Rebori's daughter, Naneen (sometimes shown as being spelled Nanneen) Rebori Donaldson (1914-1996), died on June 15, 1996.
Projects
- Roanoke BuildingRoanoke Building11 South LaSalle Street Building or Eleven South LaSalle Street Building is a Chicago Landmark building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and that is located at 11 South LaSalle...
, 11 S. LaSalle Street in Chicago, 1915-1925 (with Holabird & RocheHolabird & RocheThe architectural firm of Holabird & Root was founded in Chicago in 1880. Over the years, the firm's designs have changed many times — from the Chicago School to Art Deco to Modern Architecture to Sustainable Architecture.-History:...
) - Racquet Club of ChicagoRacquet Club of ChicagoThe Racquet Club of Chicago is a private social club and athletic club at 1365 North Dearborn Street in Chicago, within the Gold Coast Historic District. The classical revival building was designed by architect Andrew Rebori, constructed in 1923...
, 1365 N. Dearborn Street in Chicago, 1923 - Fine Arts building annex, 421 S. Wabash Avenue in Chicago, 1924
- Residence of Wayne Chatfield-TaylorWayne Chatfield-TaylorWayne Chatfield-Taylor was Under Secretary of Commerce and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under President Franklin D. Roosevelt....
, 620 Lake Road, Lake Forest, Illinois, 1925 - Elizabeth Arden building, 70 E. Walton Place in Chicago, 1926
- 2430 N. Lakeview Avenue co-op building, 1927
- Sterling building at 737 N. Michigan Avenue in Chicago (demolished 1974)
- Madonna della Strada chapel at Loyola University ChicagoLoyola University ChicagoLoyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
, 1929 - 1325 N. Astor Street co-op building, 1929
- Cudahy Memorial Library at Loyola University ChicagoLoyola University ChicagoLoyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
, 1930 - LaSalle-Wacker BuildingLaSalle-Wacker BuildingThe LaSalle-Wacker Building, at 221 North LaSalle Street, is a 41-story skyscraper at the north end of the LaSalle Street canyon in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, USA.-Design:...
, 221 N. LaSalle Street in Chicago, 1930 (with Holabird & RocheHolabird & RocheThe architectural firm of Holabird & Root was founded in Chicago in 1880. Over the years, the firm's designs have changed many times — from the Chicago School to Art Deco to Modern Architecture to Sustainable Architecture.-History:...
) - Post office at Wheaton, IllinoisWheaton, IllinoisWheaton is an affluent community located in DuPage County, Illinois, approximately west of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Wheaton is the county seat of DuPage County...
, 1932 - House at the 1933 Homes of Tomorrow Exhibition1933 Homes of Tomorrow ExhibitionThe Homes of Tomorrow Exhibition was part of the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. The Fair's theme that year was a Century of Progress, and celebrated man's innovations in architecture, science, technology and transportation...
, 1933 - Fisher Studio HousesFisher Studio HousesThe Fisher Studio Houses is a Art Moderne style house in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The house was built in 1936 by Andrew Rebori and Edgar Miller for Frank Fisher, Jr. It was designated a Chicago Landmark on July 31, 1996.-References:...
, 1209 N. State Street in Chicago, 1936 - Administration building and barracks, Glenview Naval Air Station (consulting architect), 1940s
- Burial memorial for Robert R. McCormickRobert R. McCormickRobert Rutherford "Colonel" McCormick was a member of the McCormick family of Chicago who became owner and publisher of the Chicago Tribune newspaper...
at CantignyCantignyCantigny is a park in Wheaton, Illinois, 30 miles west of Chicago. It is the former estate of Joseph Medill, and his grandson Colonel Robert R. McCormick, publishers of the Chicago Tribune, and is open to the public...
in Wheaton, IllinoisWheaton, IllinoisWheaton is an affluent community located in DuPage County, Illinois, approximately west of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Wheaton is the county seat of DuPage County...
, dedicated 1957 - First Division museum at CantignyCantignyCantigny is a park in Wheaton, Illinois, 30 miles west of Chicago. It is the former estate of Joseph Medill, and his grandson Colonel Robert R. McCormick, publishers of the Chicago Tribune, and is open to the public...
in Wheaton, IllinoisWheaton, IllinoisWheaton is an affluent community located in DuPage County, Illinois, approximately west of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Wheaton is the county seat of DuPage County...
, dedicated 1960