Evanston's Preservation Commission gave Chase Bank two more months to fight a landmark nomination for its Central Street building, pushing a decision on the structure's fate to Nov. 18.

The commission voted Tuesday, Sept. 15, to continue the hearing on whether to designate the bank at 1900 Central St. a local landmark. Chase representatives asked for a 60-day continuance and did not address the merits of the nomination, Evanston Now reported.

Jim McKee, a 3rd Ward resident, filed the nomination after learning Chase planned to demolish the 47-year-old building and replace it with a new branch. The structure was built in 1979 for the First National Bank of Evanston and designed by David Haid, an Evanston architect who studied under Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and worked in his office for eight years.

Haid helped design Crown Hall at the Illinois Institute of Technology and served as project architect for Mies's addition to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. McKee told the commission the bank building embodied the "less is more" philosophy of Miesian modern architecture, placing it alongside other Haid works including the Ben Rose House auto pavilion featured in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Chase has made clear it opposes the nomination. Jonathan Krissoff, a vice president with JPMorgan Chase, argued in a letter dated Thursday, Sept. 10, that Haid's body of work in the Evanston and greater Chicagoland areas is limited to six buildings, none distinguished by innovation, rarity, or quality of design. He called the bank "a utilitarian building" indistinguishable from others built in that style during the 1960s and 1970s.

The city's own preservation planner, Cade Sterling, reached a different conclusion. Sterling said in a memo that the structure was eligible for landmark designation and recommended the developer "explore the feasibility of adaptation and integration" of the building in any future plans.

Public comment at the Sept. 15 hearing was split.

McKee read statements of support from Haid's daughter, Melissa Haid, and from Landmarks Illinois, which had previously identified the building as architecturally noteworthy. He argued that landmarking would not "freeze" the property but would allow the structure to be incorporated into future redevelopment.

Eric Singer said replacing the building would lose a piece of local history. "David was one of our own," Singer said at the Sept. 15 hearing. "I'm not in love with the building on the outside, but on the inside, it's kind of special."

Others disagreed. Paul Hirsch said the building did not strike him as distinctive. Spencer Stern argued a newer building would draw more foot traffic and revenue to the area.

If the commission ultimately approves the landmark designation, it would restrict exterior modifications and demolition, requiring Preservation Commission approval for such changes. The designation would also need City Council approval to take effect.

Chase's separate application to demolish the building and construct a new branch, filed Sept. 22, 2025, was listed as non-compliant in a city manager's report dated Sept. 11, pending additional information or a future planned development application.

The commission's next hearing on the nomination is set for Wednesday, Nov. 18.