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

Page Brothers Building

John M. Van Osdel, architect; 1872

— Chicago Landmark —

Page Brothers Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn

1. Page Brothers Building Marker

Inscription. With the last remaining cast-iron front in Chicago, this building illustrates a major step in the evolution of modern metal-frame construction technology. Built when Lake Street was the city's main commercial street, its west facade was remodeled and another floor added by architects Hill and Woltersdorf in 1902, reflecting the reorientation of commercial activity from Lake to State Street.

Designated a Chicago Landmark on January 28, 1983 by the City Council of Chicago.
Jane M. Byrne, Mayor

Erected 1983 by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 41° 53.128′ N, 87° 37.663′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is on State Street south of Lake Street, on the right when traveling north. The historical marker is the farthest to the left of three affixed to the front of the Chicago Theatre, located near the entrance doors of the theater. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 175 North State Street, Chicago IL 60601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. Chicago Theater (here, next to this marker); Couch Place (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Couch Place (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oliver Building (about 500 feet away); Harris and Selwyn Theaters (about 500 feet away); 35 East Wacker Drive Building (about 500 feet away); Viet Nam Memorial (about 600 feet away); South Water Street (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Page Brothers Building. The Page Brothers Building, one of the dozen oldest landmarked buildings in Chicago, is a final vestige of the architecture of post-fire Chicago, with a cast-iron front that is last remaining in the city. In the 1980s, developers acquired the building as well as the adjacent Chicago Theater, creating a new theater and commercial complex that saved it from demolition. As of 2023, the State Street storefronts include a Chick-Fil-A restaurant and a museum to medieval torture.

Also see . . .
1. Page Brothers Building.

Excerpt from Clio, Your Guide to History: "To view the Page Brothers is to see the Old Chicago, both because its primary focus pointed towards Lake Street rather than the now-famous State
Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 18, 2023

2. Page Brothers Building Marker
The marker is the left of the door; the Chicago Theater marker is on the right.
Street and because it remained at five stories and relied on cast iron as its front-facing wall. Just as Page Brothers turned the corner at Lake and State, it's the building that was constructed as Chicago was turning the corner towards architectural distinction."

(Submitted on November 21, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chicagology: Page Bros. Block. (Submitted on November 21, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Chicago Theatre at nighttime image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 18, 2023

3. Chicago Theatre at nighttime

The Page Brothers building is the left side of the theater complex.

Page Brothers Building and the Chicago Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 24, 2023

4. Page Brothers Building and the Chicago Theatre

The Page Brothers building is to the left in this photo, immediately next to the Chicago Theatre and its famed marquee.

Chicago Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 25, 2020

5. Chicago Theatre

The Page Brothers building is the left side of the theater complex, at the corner of Lake and State next to the CTA "L" track.

Chicago Theater Center marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn

6. Chicago Theater Center marker

This marker, on the far south end of the theater, commemorates the 1980s-era project that combined the Page Brothers Building with the Chicago Theater.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 65 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 21, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on November 28, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5, 6. submitted on November 21, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.