Construction During the Gilded Age
William Le Baron Jenney(1832-1907)
William Le Baron Jenney was an ex-civil war troop and a mechanic. When he returned he created a new style for construction. the reason he made such a significant difference in the Chicago time period is because before then they were using wood to make their buildings. Hence, which is why the Chicago fire was so devastating. but since steel was not flammable and more sturdy they was able to build more safer buildings than ever before. William is hailed as the father of modern construction.
Steel-Frame Construction
Steel frame construction uses a type of building that wasn't used before. welding expertise was greatly needed because the steel is not stacked upon each other. Welders would melt the steel together first starting at the base. would hoist them vertically and then take another piece of steel and weld it on top of the steel bar. in the end the base would be in a rectangular or square position and could be several stories tall.
The Home Insurance Building(1884-1931)
The Home Insurance Building was considered the first skyscraper made in Chicago. Because of the Chicago Fire this building was made with STEEL framework. Most buildings during that time had been made out of wood which had made the Chicago Fire so devastating. The Home Insurance Building was built in 1884. It was built by William Le Baron Jenney. Sadly, it was later demolished in 1931 to clear the area for the Field Building
The Second Leiter Building(Intact)
Now known as the Sears building this was the second department store that William built for Levi Z. Unlike its predeccesor; The First Leiter Building, it was built with steel-frames. When it was finished it was considered one of the largest commercial buildings in the world. It is approximantly 8 stories tall an dtakes up the whole of State Street.
Location: Northeast Corner of South State Street and East Congress Parkway
Location: Northeast Corner of South State Street and East Congress Parkway
The Manhattan Building(Intact)
A 16 story tall building located designed by William Le Baron Jenney. it is considered the oldest surviving building solely built off of the steel-frame skeletal system. It was listed on The National Register of Historical Places on March 16, 1976. It was agreed to become a Chicago Landmark on July 7, 1978.
Location: 431 South Dearborn street
Location: 431 South Dearborn street
Ludington Building(Intact)
Built in 1891, it is a Chicago Landmark and is listed on the National register of historical Places. Designed by William Le Baron Jenney it is a continuation of his experimenting with entirely Terra-Cotta clad skyscrapers. It was built for Mary Ludington Barnes for the American Book Company which was actually owned by her husband, Charles Barnes. The American Book Company used it to house its offices, printing presses, packaging, and shipping operations.
Location: 1104 South Wabash Avenue
Location: 1104 South Wabash Avenue
19 South LaSalle(Intact)
This has been seen as one of Jenney's most bland building. It may be because it did not not include any of his genius designs. It originally had a peak top but then it was replaced by three more stories. it was originally a YMCA organization building but since then has been leased to many owners. Compared to Jenney's other structures, this was not as worthwhile as others expected it to be..
Location: 19 South LaSalle Street
Location: 19 South LaSalle Street
Chicago School of Architecture
But William was not the only architectural designer of his time. When he retired his legacy still lived on through his followers; Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Martin Roche, and William Holabird. They created what is known as The Chicago School. With their combined ideas and innovations to architectural design they reshaped Chicago to what it is today. Many buildings that we have today were based upon their innovative designs Chicago is much in debt to their extraordinary ideas that helped create this bustling city.
The Rookery Building(Intact)
Built by Daniel Burnham and John Root, The Rookery Building(1887-1888) is a Chicago Landmark(July 5, 1972) with brilliant features that were remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright(209 South LaSalle Street). It was added to The National Record of Historic Places(April 17, 1970) and was designated a National Historic Landmark(May 15, 1975).The building is 181 feet, is 12 stories tall, and is considered the oldest skyscraper in Chicago. The lobby was remodeled(1905) by Frank Lloyd Wright but then was restored to the original design(1989).
Location: 209 South LaSalle Street
Location: 209 South LaSalle Street
The Auditorium Building and Theatre
This building by far is one of the most highly honored and respected buildings in Chicago. It has house numerous events and has a beautiful inside canopy the tourists adore. It was Chicago's first official skyscraper. Designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, the building reflects what direction the city was going in.This was Sullivan's AND Adler's first major partnership commission and would prove to be their most enduring. Sullivan was the talented artist and Adler was the architectural genius in the construction business.
Location: 403 South Michigan Avenue
Location: 403 South Michigan Avenue
The Monadnock Building
Surprisingly, this is actually 2 buildings in one.The north building, erected between 1889 and 1891, was designed by Chicago team of Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root, two of the city's most strategic architects(Architecture in Detail: Chicago). The south building(1891-1893) was constructed by two other renown architects: William Holabird and Martin Roche. the building represents the change of mixed architectural styles that somehow work with one another. It depicts the architectural position that most people were comfortable with back then.
Location: 53 West Jackson Boulevard
Location: 53 West Jackson Boulevard
The Reliance Building
Another example of brilliant architectural partnership was Daniel Burnham and John Root's Reliance Building. It showed an up and coming style that most Americans had found at that time very extrodinary. While it still uses the steel-frame construction it also brings in a bit of Renaissance Era style too. Sadly though, by the time the 14 story Reliance Building was under construction Root himself was dead. Burnham had to strive through an unbearable hardship building this structure without his partner and dedicated its sleek features to his innovative ideology. This building was a doorway to new American architecture and forever changed our architectural perspectives.
Location: 32 North State Street
Location: 32 North State Street
The Carson Pirie Scott Building
Designed by architect Louis Sullivan, The Carson Pirie Scott Building shows off Chicago's special style in architectural tastes. The most extravagant detail of this building is the design that is located on the entry canopy to the building. This would be what is considered its mascot design, like the Art Institute's lions. Over the years the building has expanded to occupy almost the whole of State Street . The first, being by constructed by Sullivan when the building acquired its store in 1904. Later Daniel Burnham continued the process in 1906. Then finally there was one last addition from Holabird and Root in 1960.
Location: 1 South State Street
Location: 1 South State Street
Wrigley Building
The Wrigley building is probably Chicago's most loved and respected building. It defines Chicagoans sense of liberty and uniquness as to other states. like the Modnadock Building, the Wrigley Building is two buildings in one. One is a twenty stories south section(32 if you include the tower). The other is a twenty story north section. Both sections seem so complete hat Chicagoans do not even reliaze that they are two buildings. Designed bythe architectural firm of Graham, Anderson, White and Probst; the succesor to the Daniel Burnham and Company firm, the building was constructed between 1921 and 1924.
Location: 400 North Michigan Avenue
Location: 400 North Michigan Avenue