single museum-quality late 19th century american ornamental cast iron rear staircase baluster salvaged from the non-extant y.w.c.a. hotel building shortly before demolition. the very narrow and unusually-shaped staircase baluster features intricate leafage and scrollwork at the very top. the center of the baluster contains two bellflowers facing opposite directions. the angled spindle has been brushed to bare metal and sealed with a clear coat lacquer. the spindle either contained a baked-on enameled finish or electroplated copper. several coats of paint were applied over the years. any attempts to capture the original finish proved futile. with the brushed metal finish, the casting quality really becomes quite evident. possibly fabricated by the winslow brothers, chicago, il. the seven-story red brick and terra cotta ywca hotel (located at 830 south michigan avenue) was designed by chicago architect john m. van osdel ii, nephew of prominent chicago architect john mills van osdel ii. construction of the property was completed in 1895. the late19th century hotel is one of the oldest ywca buildings in the country, and was the first to be built in the city of chicago. the ywca originally used to house working women newly arriving in the city following the 1893 world's fair. located near the illinois central railroad station and within a reasonable distance to the heart of the loop, it was was designed to take advantage of views along michigan avenue and the lake, with projecting triangular bay windows on the top floors and a renaissance inspired loggia dressed in ornamental terra cotta on the second floor. in 1929, the building became the south michigan hotel. in the 1970's the hotel was purchased by johnson publications and converted into offices. the badly dilapidated and structurally compromised building was essentially abandoned for nearly thirty years. the building finally succumbed to the wrecking ball in 2009. urban remains salvaged much of the exterior and interior ornament prior to, and during demolition. the baluster panel rod measures approximately 2 inches in diameter, 4 1/2 inches total width, 27 1/4 inches in total height.