built for one of the world's leading soap manufacturers, the palmolive office building ("a monument to cleanliness") was the first commercial skyscraper built far from the loop (at the northern end of michigan avenue). it is considered one of the country's premier art deco-style "set-back" skyscrapers, the design of which were influenced by municipal zoning laws and the dramatic renderings of new york architect hugh ferris. the building was designed and built in 1927-29 by holabird & roche, one of chicago's oldest and most prestigious architectural firms, whose other significant buildings include the 333 north michigan building, the chicago board of trade, and the former chicago daily news building. a navigational beacon operated atop the building from 1930-1981. it was known as the playboy building from 1965 to 1989, when it served as headquarters for playboy magazine.