The Delaware Building is a building in the Chicago Loop built in the massive rebuilding effort after the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. It is significant for being one of the few buildings to maintain its 1870s character, as an Italianate structure, in an area dominated by more modern structures.[2] The building is also notable for its early use of a precast concrete façade. The building was designated a Chicago Landmark on November 23, 1983, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 18, 1974.[3]

Delaware Building
Delaware Building is located in Illinois
Delaware Building
LocationChicago, Illinois
Coordinates41°53′5.16″N 87°37′44.93″W / 41.8847667°N 87.6291472°W / 41.8847667; -87.6291472
Built1872
ArchitectWheelock & Thomasç
Architectural styleItalianate
NRHP reference No.74000749 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 18, 1974
Designated CLNovember 23, 1983

As built, the building had five floors with a basement. The first two stories were primarily metal and glass to provide storefront windows for displays. In 1889, two additional floors were added, and three bays were removed from the Randolph Avenue façade.[2]

Deleware Building looking northeast, c. 1903

References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Delaware Building" (PDF). 1973. Retrieved 2007-06-28.
  3. ^ "Chicago Landmarks - Delaware Building". 2003. Archived from the original on 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2007-06-28.