recently discovered exterior bronze chicago building plaques return to chicago
This entry was posted on September 3 2014 by Eric
two out of state reputable colleagues, who i consider friends that share an equal passion towards appreciating and rescuing ornament from buildings undergoing renovation or demolition, recently brought to my attention the availability of a set of historically important bronze exterior and/or building facade plaques removed from the chicago building (1904) designed by architects holabird and roche (read below for more information).
the name plaque was likely installed shortly after the building was completed. the otherplaque - dated 1997 - was dedicated by then-mayor richard m. daley during a ceremony recognizing the landmarked chicago school building as the first in the loop to be converted for residential use.
unlike so many commercial buildings whose signage was added, and over time, deemed irrelevant or outdated and thus removed (presumably scrapped) from commercial buildings found throughout downtown chicago, a small victory can be claimed in this instance with the chicago building; mainly with the original name plaque and not so much the dedication plaque.
the 14-story chicago building (also known as the chicago savings bank building) was constructed between 1904-1905 by the notable chicago-based architectural firm of holabird and roche.
the extant structure remains an exceptional early and highly visible example of the chicago school of architecture. the chicago building's exterior features characterize this style through the use of large "chicago windows," a metal frame skeleton, protruding bay windows, and a terra cotta curtain wall.
the combination of the north side projecting bay windows and the east side rectangular "chicago windows" with movable sashes is representative of the two typical chicago school window types. the building is one of only a very few where the original cornice remains intact.
the building is prominently located on the southwest corner of state street and madison street, with visibility increased by an offset in the alignment of state street. the building is a critical component of a grouping of significant structures, including carson pirie scott and the former mandel brothers store, at what was once labeled the "world's busiest corner."
the building was designated a chicago landmark on march 26, 1996. in 1997, the commercial building was converted into a dormitory for the school of the art institute of chicago.
interestingly, the corner of the 3rd floor of the building contains the "cornerstone of chicago." it is the 0-0 degree point of the city, and is the location from which all addresses in the city begin.
This entry was posted in , Miscellaneous, Bldg. 51, New Acquisitions & Bldg. 51 Feed on September 3 2014 by Eric
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