The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Trustees System Service Building

Chicago Landmark

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 28, 2021

1. Trustees System Service Building Marker

Inscription.
Trustees System Service Building
Thielbard and Fugard, architects;
Eugene and Gwen Lux and Edgar Miller, artists
1929-30

This bold Art-Deco style skyscraper, designed by noted Chicago architects Thielbard and Fugard, is clad with variegated brick that lightens in hue as it rises to the stepped ziggurat roof. The visually striking tower and terra-cotta crown emphasizes the building's verticality and reflects the influence of the 1923 Chicago zoning ordinance. Exceptional low-relief sculptures, by Eugene and Gwen Lux, chronicling the history of banking and commerce and intricately-detailed, cut-lead grillework by Edgar Miller impart visual drama at street level. Richly-ornamented public lobbies are clad in deeply-colored marbles.

Designated on January 14, 2004
Commission on Chicago Landmarks

Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list.

Location. 41° 53.152′ N, 87° 38.015′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is at the intersection of West Lake Street and North Wells Street, on the right when traveling west on West Lake Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 North Wells Street, Chicago IL 60601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker. Freeform (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lake-Franklin Group (about 500 feet away); The Eastland Disaster (about 600 feet away); “Hubbard’s Folly” (about 600 feet away); The Christmas Tree Ship (about 800 feet away); Reid, Murdoch & Company Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sauganash Hotel - Chicago - 1831 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln's Nomination Site (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . . Trustees System Service Building (City of Chicago). The Landmark Commission's Landmark Designation Report for this item, including an extensive history and photos. (Submitted on September 11, 2021.)

Trustees System Service Building Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 28, 2021

2. Trustees System Service Building Marker - wide view

The marker is located to the left of the commercial entrance on North Wells Street.

Trustees System Service Building - decorative relief: <i>Credit Moves the Modern Business World</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 28, 2021

3. Trustees System Service Building - decorative relief: Credit Moves the Modern Business World

<i>Loop skyscrapers looking towards Lake Michigan</i> image. Click for full size.

Charles William Brubaker (courtesy of the University of Illinois Chicago), 1984

4. Loop skyscrapers looking towards Lake Michigan

"View of Loop skyscrapers looking east from 333 Wacker Drive. 201 North Wells Street (Trustees System Service Building) is in the center foreground. In the background is the Standard Oil Building (now Aon Center), and just in front of that is the Associates Center (150 N. Michigan Avenue). Lake Michigan is visible in the distance."

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 11, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.