Chicago Building History
Well-researched articles by Solomon Rokowsky about Chicago's buildings, their architecture, and the stories behind them.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 27, 2026
The Rookery: Chicago's Office Building Between Two Architectural Ages
Solomon Rokowsky explores the Rookery's 1888 construction, Root's light court, Frank Lloyd Wright's remodeling and the choices behind its restoration.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 27, 2026
Chicago Cultural Center: How a Public Library Became the People's Palace
Solomon Rokowsky traces the Chicago Cultural Center from its 1897 public-library and veterans-memorial origins to its Tiffany dome and modern restorations.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 27, 2026
Why Does Tribune Tower Look Like a Medieval Tower?
Solomon Rokowsky examines Tribune Tower's 1922 design competition, Gothic silhouette, collected stones and conversion from newspaper offices to residences.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 27, 2026
The Wrigley Building: A Chewing-Gum Company Gives Michigan Avenue a Landmark
Solomon Rokowsky explores how the Wrigley Building's clock tower, white terra cotta and riverfront site helped define North Michigan Avenue.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 27, 2026
Willis Tower: The Engineering Behind Chicago's Sears Tower
Solomon Rokowsky traces Willis Tower's bundled-tube engineering, Sears headquarters origins, changing name and later transformation from street to Skydeck.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 27, 2026
The Marquette Building: Chicago's Steel Skyscraper and the Story in Its Lobby
Solomon Rokowsky explores the Marquette Building's 1895 steel frame, its Tiffany lobby mosaics, the 2001 cornice restoration and the exhibition that answers its depictions of Native Americans.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 27, 2026
The Monadnock Building: Chicago's Last Great Masonry Skyscraper
Solomon Rokowsky explores the Monadnock's six-foot walls, Root's stripped-down design, the steel-framed southern half and its rescue and restoration.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 27, 2026
The Reliance Building: Chicago's Glass Skyscraper, Built in Two Stages
Solomon Rokowsky explores the Reliance Building's jacked-up upper floors, Atwood's white terra cotta and glass, and the city's 1990s restoration.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 27, 2026
Chicago Union Station: Burnham's Plan and the Great Hall
Solomon Rokowsky explores Chicago Union Station's roots in Burnham's 1909 plan, the four railroads behind it, its Great Hall and its restoration.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 27, 2026
The Auditorium Building: Adler & Sullivan's Theater, Hotel and Office Tower
Solomon Rokowsky explores the Auditorium Building's mixed-use plan, its settlement, the theater's acoustics and the rescue that reopened it in 1967.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 28, 2026
The Chicago Board of Trade Building: The Art Deco Tower at the End of LaSalle Street
Solomon Rokowsky traces the Chicago Board of Trade Building from its 1885 clock-tower predecessor to Holabird & Root's 1930 Art Deco tower, the Ceres statue, the trading floors and the building's recent ownership.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 28, 2026
Marshall Field and Company Building: How a State Street Department Store Became a Landmark
Solomon Rokowsky traces the Marshall Field and Company Building from its 1852 origins to Daniel Burnham's State Street block, the Tiffany mosaic ceiling, the Great Clock and the split between the Macy's store and the office floors above it.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 28, 2026
The Carbide & Carbon Building: Chicago's Green and Gold Art Deco Tower
Solomon Rokowsky traces the Carbide & Carbon Building from the Burnham Brothers' 1929 design to its life as the Hard Rock Hotel, the St. Jane and today's Pendry Chicago, including who holds it now.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 28, 2026
The Merchandise Mart: How Marshall Field Built the World's Largest Building
Solomon Rokowsky traces the Merchandise Mart from Marshall Field's 1930 wholesale center through the Kennedy family years to Vornado ownership, including the busts, the lobby murals and Art on theMART.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 28, 2026
The Palmer House: Chicago's Wedding-Gift Hotel and Its Troubled Ownership
Solomon Rokowsky traces the Palmer House from Potter Palmer's 1870 wedding gift to the 1925 Holabird & Roche hotel, its frescoed lobby and the brownie, and explains how the hotel, retail space and annex have different owners and legal fights.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 29, 2026
Why Does the John Hancock Center Have a Giant X on Its Side?
The John Hancock Center's giant X braces are structure, not decoration. How the 1969 tower works, who owns its pieces today, and where to get a drink on the 94th floor.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 29, 2026
Marina City: The Corncob Towers and Chicago's City Within a City
Marina City's corncob towers opened in 1964 as a city within a city. Its history, who owns the pieces today, and where to eat nearby on the river.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 29, 2026
The Chicago Theatre: How a 1921 Movie Palace Became the City's Marquee
The Chicago Theatre opened in 1921 as a movie palace and still has the city's best-known marquee. Its history, owner and what to do on a visit.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 29, 2026
The Art Institute of Chicago Building: A World's Fair Hall That Became a Museum
The Art Institute of Chicago's building began as a World's Fair hall in 1893. Its history, the open question of who holds title, and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 29, 2026
The Chicago Water Tower: The Limestone Landmark That Survived the Fire
The Chicago Water Tower survived the 1871 fire and still stands on Michigan Avenue. Its history, its city ownership and how to visit.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 30, 2026
The Green Mill: What Is Documented About Uptown's Jazz Club and the Gangsters, and What Is Legend
The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge has been an Uptown jazz club for decades. Its history, what is documented about its gangster ties versus the Capone legend, who owns it today and where to drink nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 30, 2026
The Biograph Theater: The Lincoln Avenue Movie House Where John Dillinger Was Shot
The Biograph Theater opened in 1914 on Lincoln Avenue and is where John Dillinger was shot in 1934. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 30, 2026
Why Is the Civic Opera Building Shaped Like a Giant Chair?
The Civic Opera Building opened in 1929 and was built for Samuel Insull. Its history, the split between opera house and office tower ownership, and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 30, 2026
The Robie House: How Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Masterpiece Escaped Demolition
Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, finished in 1910, was twice nearly demolished. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby in Hyde Park.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
October 30, 2026
Harold Washington Library Center: Chicago's Owl-Topped Central Library
The Harold Washington Library Center opened in 1991 and is topped by giant owls. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 1, 2026
Sullivan Center: Louis Sullivan's Last Great Store, From Schlesinger & Mayer to Target
The Sullivan Center began as Schlesinger & Mayer's 1899 department store and spent a century as Carson Pirie Scott. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 1, 2026
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: The White City's Last Palace
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the last major building left from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 1, 2026
Navy Pier: From Municipal Pier to the People's Pier
Navy Pier opened in 1916 as a municipal pier and became Chicago's lakefront playground. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat and drink there.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 1, 2026
The Field Museum: From Fair Leftovers to a Marble Palace on the Lakefront
The Field Museum grew out of the 1893 world's fair and moved into its lakefront home in 1920. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 1, 2026
The Chicago Federal Center: Mies van der Rohe's Plaza, and the Courthouse Where the Government Got Capone
The Chicago Federal Center pairs Mies van der Rohe's plaza with the site of the courtroom where Al Capone was convicted. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 2, 2026
The Old Chicago Main Post Office: From Mail-Order Giant to Gensler Rebirth
Chicago's Old Main Post Office was the country's biggest post office, later straddled by an expressway and reborn as offices with a rooftop park. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 2, 2026
The Drake Hotel: A Century at the Top of the Magnificent Mile
The Drake Hotel has anchored the north end of Michigan Avenue since 1920, hosting kings, presidents and Frank Nitti. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 2, 2026
35 East Wacker: The Jewelers Building and Its Elevators for Cars
35 East Wacker, the Jewelers Building, once lifted tenants' cars by elevator and crowned its dome with a speakeasy. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 2, 2026
Soldier Field: A Century of Crowds on the Lakefront, and an Uncertain Home Game
Soldier Field opened in 1924 as a lakefront memorial and kept its colonnade when a modern bowl landed inside it. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 2, 2026
Thalia Hall: Pilsen's Bohemian Opera House, Silent for Decades and Loud Again
Thalia Hall, Pilsen's 1892 Bohemian opera house, went dark for decades and returned as one of the city's best concert rooms. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 3, 2026
Wrigley Field: The 1914 Ballpark That Outlived Its Own League
Wrigley Field opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park for a league that folded the next year, and outlived it by more than a century. Its history, including Al Capone's front-row visits, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 3, 2026
Pullman: The Factory Town George Pullman Built, and the Strike That Ended It
Pullman was the model factory town George Pullman built and the strike that ended it, with the clock-tower Administration Building still standing. Its history, who owns the site today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 3, 2026
2120 South Michigan Avenue: The Little Building Where Chess Records Cut the Blues
2120 South Michigan Avenue is the little building where Chess Records cut the blues that became rock and roll. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 3, 2026
The Home Insurance Building: Chicago's 'First Skyscraper' and the Plaque It Left Behind
The Home Insurance Building was Chicago's 1885 'first skyscraper,' demolished in 1931, leaving only a plaque. Its story, what stands on the site today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 3, 2026
The Thompson Center: Helmut Jahn's Glass Machine, Saved by Google
The Thompson Center is Helmut Jahn's glass machine, sold by the state and reborn as Google's Chicago headquarters. Its history, who owns it today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 4, 2026
The London Guarantee Building: An Insurance Palace Above the River That Became LondonHouse
Solomon Rokowsky traces the London Guarantee Building from Fort Dearborn's site and Alfred Alschuler's 1923 Beaux-Arts tower through the London House jazz club to today's LondonHouse hotel, who owns it now and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 4, 2026
The Uptown Theatre: Chicago's Biggest Movie Palace, Closed Since 1981 and Waiting for Its Second Act
Solomon Rokowsky traces the Uptown Theatre, the 1925 Balaban & Katz palace closed since 1981, through rock concerts and film shoots to Jerry Mickelson's restoration campaign, plus where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 4, 2026
The Manhattan Building: Jenney's 16-Story Skeleton That Proved the Skyscraper
Solomon Rokowsky traces the Manhattan Building, William Le Baron Jenney's 1891 skeletal-frame pioneer in Printers Row, its engineering innovations, its condo ownership today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 4, 2026
The Railway Exchange Building: Burnham's White Tower Above Grant Park
Solomon Rokowsky traces the Railway Exchange Building, Daniel Burnham's 1904 white terra-cotta tower above Grant Park, from the Santa Fe Railway years to Notre Dame's ownership and an unconfirmed sale, plus where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 4, 2026
The Fisher Building: Burnham's Gothic Tower, Covered in Terra-Cotta Fish
Solomon Rokowsky traces the Fisher Building, D.H. Burnham's 1896 Gothic terra-cotta tower in Printer's Row, from its fish-covered facade and 1907 addition to a $69 million foreclosure fight, plus where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 5, 2026
Aqua Tower: Jeanne Gang's Waves of Concrete Above Lakeshore East
Solomon Rokowsky tells how Aqua Tower's rippling concrete balconies made architect Jeanne Gang famous, plus who owns the tower today and where to eat nearby.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 5, 2026
The Medinah Athletic Club: The Shriners' Palace That Became the InterContinental
Solomon Rokowsky traces the Medinah Athletic Club from a Shriners' palace with a gold dome and a fateful 1929 opening to today's InterContinental Chicago hotel.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 5, 2026
Lake Point Tower: The Curve at the Edge of the Lake
Solomon Rokowsky tells how Lake Point Tower's curved three-wing form grew from Mies van der Rohe's glass-house drawings, and its later life on screen.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 5, 2026
860-880 Lake Shore Drive: Mies van der Rohe's Glass Houses
Solomon Rokowsky explains how Mies van der Rohe's twin glass houses at 860-880 Lake Shore Drive became the standard by which every glass-and-steel tower since has been judged.
Original watercolour art illustration by Solomon Rokowsky
November 5, 2026
The Fine Arts Building: From Carriage Factory to Artists' Colony
Solomon Rokowsky follows the Fine Arts Building from Studebaker carriage showroom to theater-district artists' colony, still run by its Berger family owners.