Z. Erol Smith

Z. Erol Smith Sr. (died September 1964)[1] was an American architect in Chicago.[2] He designed buildings for Anthony Overton including the Overton Hygienic Building and the Chicago Bee Building for the Chicago Bee newspaper.[3] His son of the same name served as the first mayor of Palos Heights and continued in office for 14 years.[3]

He established his architecture business in 1915.[4] His office was at 5501 South Prairie,[5] 343 East Garfield Boulevard[6] and 305 East 55th Street.[7]

He trained at the Armour Institute of Technology and Art Institute of Technology. Much of his work is in Chicago's south side.[2]

In 1919, he designed a couple of garages.[8] In 1922, he designed to Overton Hygienic Building at 3627 South State Street.[9]

The Chicago Bee Building at 3647 South State Street was built from 1929 to 1931. It was built as the headquarters for the Chicago Bee.[10] It later also served as offices for his skin care products business and eventually as a public library. It is in the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville Historic District. In 1998, it was listed as a Chicago Landmark.[11]

His namesake son was mayor of Palos Heights. His grandson Z. Erol Smith is an architect.[citation needed]

  1. ^ "Smith". Chicago Tribune. September 30, 1964. p. 57. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Bruegmann, Robert (October 2, 2018). Art Deco Chicago: Designing Modern America. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300229936 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b "Z EROL SMITH, 78". Chicago Tribune. February 17, 2004.
  4. ^ Bruegmann, Robert (October 2, 2018). Art Deco Chicago: Designing Modern America. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300229936.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference pra was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "The American Contractor". 1925.
  7. ^ "The Lumber Manufacturer and Dealer". 1919.
  8. ^ "The Economist: A Weekly Financial, Commercial and Real-estate Newspaper". Economist Publishing Company. January 8, 1919 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "Overton Hygienic Building". Choose Chicago.
  10. ^ West, E. James (April 26, 2022). A House for the Struggle: The Black Press and the Built Environment in Chicago. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-05331-3.
  11. ^ "Chicago Landmarks - Landmark Details". webapps1.chicago.gov.