chicago skyline in terra cotta: a closer look at the unusual facade of the kirchbaum building (1922)

terra cotta skyline.

the kirchbaum building, located at 6560 n. sheridan rd., was designed in 1922 by the architectural firm of ronneberg, pierce and hauber.

the terra cotta city skyline mural is comprised of three recessed panels, beginning with fort dearborn and ending with the wrigley building.

the two-story commercial building was built for clothing manufacturer bernard kirshbaum as an investment property for shops and offices.

the finely detailed spray-glazed terra cotta bas-relief panels were executed by fritz albert at northwestern terra cotta company, chicago, ills.

images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive. all rights reserved. 2022.