bldg. 51 museum acquires historically important meyer loft building (1892) terra cotta ornament salvaged by richard nickel

original exterior terra cotta fragment salvaged by richard nickel in 1967 when he documenting the demolition of adler & sullivan's meyer building or commercial lofts (1892). the 7-story structure was commissioned by the estate of m.a. meyer, a former partner in selz, schwab, & company.

the richly colored exterior frieze or band panel with rear cavities and/or webbing intact, was likely designed by frank lloyd wright, who at the time was louis h. sullivan's chief draftsman. the building's terra cotta ornament was executed by the northwestern terra cotta company. 

the heavily fortified masonry and terra cotta m.a. meyer lofts or commercial building was designed by the firm of adler & sullivan in 1892. located in the heart of chicago's garment district at 301-311 w. van buren st. and 400-412 S. franklin st., the seven-story structure was built for the estate of m.a. meyer and originally occupied by wholesale clothiers, kuh, nathan, & fischer.

the timber-framed masonry building featured several bands of strongly geometric ornament and massive corner medallions comprised of buff-colored glazed ornamental terra cotta fabricated by the northwestern terra cotta company. the ornament was designed in part by frank lloyd wright.

several fragments of terra cotta, including a complete medallion, and gothic style wrought iron fire escapes (possibly designed by wright were salvaged by nickel before the building was demolished in 1968.

further reading:

DEMOLITION OF ADLER & SULLIVAN'S 1892 MEYER LOFTS BUILDING DOCUMENTED AND SALVAGED BY RICHARD NICKEL