Pure Oil Building Development in Full Swing

As Thanksgiving Day draws near, construction work on the Pure Oil Building is in full swing, leaving many Genevans thankful for the close a long-standing controversy over the fate of the historic building.

Construction crews started tearing up the concrete around the iconic blue-roofed gas station building earlier this week. The Geneva City Council gave its approval for a drive-through bank facility in early September. Plans would preserve much of the building's exterior and use the garage bays for the drive-through of a bank office proposed to be located in the building to the west. 

In April, property owner Joe Stanton had sought to demolish the building, but the Historic Preservation Commission denied the demolition permit. The decision was upheld by the City Council, due to the building's historic significance and a loud public outcry for its preservation.

The building is one of the few remaining Pure Oil Company "English cottage" style gas stations constructed in the 1920s and '30s and is deemed "significant" by the Geneva Historic District and "contributing" by the National Historic District.

While good news for Genevans who supported the preservation of the building, the renovation plan also means relocation for a few Geneva businesses, including the Pure Gardener, which was located in the Pure Oil building at 502 W. State St., and the Art Box, which was located in the building to the west, 514 W. State building.

The Pure Gardener is now located at 415 Stevens Street, according to its website, and customers are invited to visit by appointment only.

The business specializes in herbs, heirloom vegetables and flowers, the original evergreen reindeer, fresh greens, custom containers, hanging baskets, mums, organics, miniature fairy gardens, artisan soaps and lotions, and unique gifts for every season.

A former tenant of the building to the west of the Pure Oil building, the Art Box, has moved to 407 S. Third St., according to its website.

The first floor of the 514 W. State building was earmarked as an office for St. Charles Bank & Trust when plans were approved by the city in September.

Related Articles

• Letter to the Editor: PURE Gardener Owners Say Please Don't Tear Down History
• POLL: Should City Allow Teardown of Historic Kuchera Building?
• QuickStory: HPC Votes 5-1 Against Demolishing Pure Oil Building
• Pure Oil Building Status Still in Limbo
• You Write the Story: What Happened at Tuesday's HPC Meeting on the Pure Oil Plans?
• UPDATE: New Pure Oil Building Plan Approved by HPC
• Hot Meeting on Pure Oil Building Tuesday at Geneva Fire Department
• Pure Oil Plans OK'd by the Historic Preservation Commission; Plan Commission Next
• Pure Oil Building Drive-Through Plan Goes to Plan Commission Thursday
• Pure Oil Drive-Through Sails Through City Council

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