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| Essential Architecture- Chicago Loop South Washington Block | |
architect | Frederick and Edward Baumann |
location | 40 N. Wells St. |
date | 1873-74 |
style | Ruskinian Gothic |
construction | limestone cladding |
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. | |
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 | |