Final Landmark Recommendation Approved for Byrne Hall

The historic building that housed DePaul University's first campus is set to be designated as a Chicago landmark.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:00pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of the exterior of Byrne Hall, a historic building in Chicago, repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the landmark designation of this important community landmark.The vibrant pop art celebration of Byrne Hall's landmark designation honors the building's storied history as the birthplace of DePaul University.Chicago Today

The Commission on Chicago Landmarks has approved a final landmark recommendation for Byrne Hall, a historic building located at 2219 N. Kenmore Avenue in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. Built in 1907, Byrne Hall served as the first dedicated home of DePaul University and has since been a community and religious center for the area.

Why it matters

The approval of Byrne Hall as a landmark recognizes the building's significant role in the history of DePaul University and the Lincoln Park community. As the birthplace of DePaul, Byrne Hall represents the Vincentian Order's educational efforts in Chicago and the evolution of the city's architecture and building codes in the early 20th century.

The details

Byrne Hall was designed by architect J.E.O. Pridmore and embodies the Italian Renaissance Revival style popular at the time. The building's exterior features precise architectural details and a studied formalism, while its interior has been well-preserved by the St. Vincent de Paul congregation and DePaul University. The landmark designation will protect the east, south, and partial west elevations of the building, as well as its roofline.

  • Byrne Hall was built in 1907 to replace DePaul University's first building on the site.
  • DePaul University outgrew Byrne Hall and began expanding its campus in 1924.
  • Ownership of Byrne Hall was transferred to DePaul University in 1968.

The players

Byrne Hall

A historic building located at 2219 N. Kenmore Avenue in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, which served as the first dedicated home of DePaul University.

DePaul University

A private Catholic university that was founded in 1898 and originally housed in Byrne Hall, which served as its first building.

St. Vincent de Paul congregation

A religious organization that has served as an excellent steward of Byrne Hall over the years.

J.E.O. Pridmore

The British American architect who designed Byrne Hall, known for his theater and residential designs and advocacy for increased fire safety measures in the Chicago Building Code.

Commission on Chicago Landmarks

The organization that has approved the final landmark recommendation for Byrne Hall.

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What’s next

With the final landmark recommendation approved by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, the proposed designation will now head to City Hall to be approved by the Committee on Zoning and the full City Council.

The takeaway

The landmark designation of Byrne Hall preserves an important piece of Chicago's architectural and educational history, honoring the building's role as the birthplace of DePaul University and its continued significance as a community and religious center in Lincoln Park.