Blog

Hi, fellow docents,

The Wolcott College Prep School, formerly the Union League Boys/Girls Club building, will be a stop on CAC’s May 20 bus tour of Adapted Schools. Wheeler Kearns are the architects for the 2014 adaptive reuse renovation, with some modifications since then. I have been trying to find the original architect of the building.  No luck from the Union League website, Google searches, or Bing searches.  

So I turned to experimenting with the new Bard AI from Google and the Microsoft ChatGPT AI search engines. BAD NEWS.  Don’t trust them! Take a look at these responses from the Bard AI and the responses from ChatGPT AI.  

There may be good news: these AI’s are supposed to learn and self-correct mistakes.  But feedback is restricted to a ThumbsUP or a ThumbsDN, I don’t see how to give either feedback to these AIs.

Note the questions and answers from the Bard AI:

Who designed the Union League Boys Club building in Chicago?

“The Union League Boys & Girls Club building in Chicago was designed by architect Howard Van Doren Shaw. The building was constructed in 1920 and is located at 65 W. Jackson Blvd. in the Loop neighborhood of Chicago. The building is a 12-story, Classical Revival-style structure that is clad in limestone. The building features a portico with four Corinthian columns, a balustrade, and a pediment. The interior of the building features a grand staircase, a ballroom, and a library. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Howard Van Doren Shaw (1869-1926) was an American architect who was born in Chicago. He is best known for his Prairie School-style houses and commercial buildings in the Chicago area. Shaw was a member of the Prairie School, a group of architects who believed that architecture should be in harmony with its natural surroundings. Shaw’s work is characterized by its use of simple, geometric forms, flat roofs, and horizontal lines.”

WRONG INFO: The Union League Club HQ at 65 W. Jackson was designed by Mundie and Jensen, and the Bard AI identified the club HQ as the Boys and Girls club building.

 Who designed the Union League Boys Club building on Wolcott in Chicago?

“The Union League Boys & Girls Club building on Wolcott in Chicago was designed by architect Alfred S. Alschuler. The building was constructed in 1914 and is located at 524 N. Wolcott Ave. in the Near West Side neighborhood of Chicago. The building is a 7-story, Classical Revival-style structure that is clad in limestone. The building features a portico with four Corinthian columns, a balustrade, and a pediment. The interior of the building features a grand staircase, a ballroom, and a library. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Alfred S. Alschuler (1876-1940) was an American architect who was born in Chicago. He is best known for his institutional buildings, including schools, hospitals, and libraries. Alschuler was a member of the Chicago School of architecture, a group of architects who believed that architecture should be functional and expressive of its purpose. Alschuler’s work is characterized by its use of simple, geometric forms, and its emphasis on light and air.”

WRONG INFO: The Union League Club Boys Club building on Wolcott is NOT 7 stories, only 3 stories.  It does not have a classical revival style structure clad in limestone.  It’s a plain, face brick façade. According to the Wheeler Kearns website, the building was completed in 1926, not 1914. So many incorrect details that I don’t trust that Alschuler was the architect.

Here are the questions and answers from the MS ChatGPT AI:

Who designed the Union League Club building at 65 W. Jackson in Chicago?

“The Union League Club building located at 65 W. Jackson in Chicago was designed by the architecture firm of Holabird & Roche. The building was completed in 1926 and is considered a notable example of the Chicago School of architecture, which emphasizes the use of steel framing and the integration of form and function. The Union League Club of Chicago was founded in 1879 as a social club for men and is known for its support of the arts, education, and civic engagement. The building on Jackson Boulevard has served as the club’s headquarters since its completion.”

WRONG INFO: The Union League Club HQ at 65 W. Jackson was designed by Mundie and Jensen, not Holabird and Roche, according to the Union League Club website; the completion date is correct.

Who designed the Union League Boys Club building on Wolcott in Chicago?

“The Union League Boys Club building in Chicago, located on West Wolcott Avenue, was designed by the architectural firm of Schmidt, Garden and Martin. The building was completed in 1929 and is considered a notable example of the Georgian Revival style of architecture. The Union League Boys Club was founded in 1919 as a place for young boys to engage in athletics and other activities in a safe and supportive environment. The building on Wolcott Avenue served as the organization’s headquarters for many years.”

WRONG INFO: Is the Union League Boys/Girls Club building on Wolcott, now the Wolcott College Prep school, Georgian Revival style?  The limestone entrance is centered and has a pediment with an arch above it.  At the top of each window is a limestone key stone. The first-floor windows have an arch above the rectangular window. However, it lacks quoins on the corners, a feature of Georgian architecture. According to Wheeler Kearns website, the building was completed in 1926, not 1929.

I cannot find any verification that the architects were Schmidt, Garden, and Martin, I can’t include that information in the tour.

Maurice Champagne, Class of 2004