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Essential Architecture- Chicago
Loop South Washington Block |
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architect |
Frederick and Edward Baumann |
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location |
40 N. Wells St. |
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date |
1873-74 |
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style |
Ruskinian Gothic |
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construction |
limestone cladding |
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type |
Office Building |
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At the time of its construction, in the aftermath of the Fire of 1871, the
Washington Block was one of the tallest buildings in the city. It is a
critical link to understanding the evolution of the Chicago skyscraper,
a rare surviving example of the use of the "isolated pier foundation,"
which was an engineering advancement that helped develop the high-rise
office building. The ornate detailing of its virtually intact limestone
facades makes the Washington Block a building of individual
architectural distinction. The building originally featured an outside
staircase that led to an ornate, second-floor corner entrance. The lobby
still includes a rare example of a curving hardwood staircase. |
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links |
With special thanks to the City of
Chicago website,
www.egov.cityofchicago.org , for much of the info on this page.
Photos copyright City of Chicago. |
| www.essential-architecture.com | |