(Images: CHS)
The mascot of the Iliad Apartments at Bellevue Ave and Loretta Place has returned sporting a brand new look. And two ears. This summer, CHS reported on the mysterious case of the missing Iliad Apartments lion of Bellevue Ave. We learned that the building’s giant white lion was undergoing a rehab:
According to the Iliad manager, the building’s owner commissioned an artist to create the lion sign years ago. It had since begun to rot and was falling to pieces. The lion lost an ear in a past windstorm — “I saved the ear,” Mike says — and was on its last legs as a building overhaul approached.
You’ll note the rejuvenated lion now sports a colorful coat of paint and that the detached ear has been restored.
Thanks to tipster Tanya for alerting us to the big cat’s return.
That lion is a classic.
…..now the building looks terrible compared to the sign!
glad the lion is back. It’s been weird having it gone.
awesome
Yea now they need to redo building to match beautiful lion!
This makes me happy. I enjoy any attempt to make the blander housing on the Hill look grander. It always makes me giggle how the dumpiest places are named things like ‘Dartmuth Arms’…
The King of the hill.
I grew up in Illinois and the Iliad lion always reminds me of the Piasa bird painted on the bluff near Alton. I’m glad they are both still around.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Piasa-Bird-Alton-IL.jpg