The area around Leland and Broadway in Uptown has seen some positive activity during the last several years, with a variety of new shops, a new health club, a popular new sushi restaurant, new condos, rehabs of historic buildings and of course, the new Borders Books & Music, which is responsible for much of the momentum. One addition that seems to miss all of this activity is the Buddhist Temple of Chicago, 1151 W Leland Ave. The compound-like design of the temple turns blank cinderblock walls to the neighborhood on all sides without, at least so far, even a sign to let Uptown residents know who this comparatively new neighbor is.
At a time when both Leland and Broadway have become friendlier and new businesses are creating some constructive street life (after decades of dangerous street life), the temple’s blank facade and a design oriented to the fenced-in parking lot in the rear are backward-looking slaps in the face to the neighborhood. Does religious austerity demand such an approach? Another group of Buddhists making their new home just west, at Ashland and Wilson don’t seem to think so. The new Truc Lam Temple converted an old Ravenswood landmark into a model of friendliness, brightening the facade with lighter colors, maintaining openness by replacing the old chain link fence with wrought iron and identifying the building’s new use with subtle but clear lettering.
Granted the comparisons aren’t completely fair. The Ravenswood location is more residential, though Ashland and Wilson aren’t exactly side streets, and it would be tough to replicate the charm of the historic building in new construction on a tight budget. But even some small steps on the part of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago – windows, signage, ornament, an obvious entrance on Racine or Leland – could have given this religious institution a role to play in this pocket’s improvement.
Here’s the view of new businesses across the street from the Buddhist Temple of Chicago.
And around the corner…
More on the Uptown-Broadway Building later…
