original softbound art deco palmolive building dedication booklet and rental brochure digitized

descriptive text from the palmolive building (1928) dedication booklet and rental brochure:

as it has done in new york, so in chicago, business is moving north, out of the loop, too long the imaginary compass of commerce. northward to quieter streets, clearer skies, more pleasant surroundings.

seeking the ideal site for its own general offices, the colgate-palmolive-peet company deliberately and advisedly chose this location and are erecting here this outstanding vattlement of business, at what will possibly be, for many years to come, the dividing line between commercial and purely residential chicago. within this tapering tower this company has provided space—not only for itself—but for other business and individuals of equal standing and financial integrity.

a study of the tenant list to date impressively confirms this. two reasons will motivate moving to the palmolive building:

modern business men, jealous of the hours they now waste yearly in city transportation, will welcome this opportunity to work near their homes, live near their offices. magnificent far-sweeping views, from the upper floors over lake and city, will bring new pleasure to their business hours, new inspirations to their work. the test of tenancy will assure them neighbors of the highest character.

the very address —”palmolive building”—will add an invisible accolade to their letterheads. farsighted employers will grasp this opportunity to more happily house their workers in a building surrounded with sunshine and clear air, removed from the distractions of the loop, yet convenient to the busses and car lines.

experience is proving that the better class of office help seek positions so located. and for those favored men of hard-earned leisure who now require simply a business address somewhere, what more logical than a spacious study, high aloft in this cliff of commerce?

in such a distinguished structure one will naturally expect—and will find—all the facilities and refinements of the modern american office building. a splendid restaurant, a popular-priced lunch room, barber shop, brokerage office, and resident valet.

an interesting architectural feature of the palmolive building, and one guaranteeing additional light and air for every office, will be the six series of set-backs on all four sides making the entire building virtually a tower. firms taking entire floors at these set-backs may use them as promenades and if they so desire, beautify them with formal planting.