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

Old Republic Building (Originally the Bell Building)

K.M. Vitzthum & Co., architect; 1924

— Chicago Landmark —

Old Republic Building (Originally the Bell Building) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 24, 2023

1. Old Republic Building (Originally the Bell Building) Marker

Inscription. Herbert Bell of the Bell & Zoller Coal Company commissioned this 23-story skyscraper in 1924. When completed, it was one of the first generation skyscrapers that sprang up on North Michigan Avenue as a result of Burnham and Bennett's 1909 Plan of Chicago. The building's tripartite composition and Corinthian columns exemplify the Classical Revival style of architecture, rendered in terra cotta manufactured in Chicago by the Northwestern Terra Cotta Company. In 1956, the building was renamed when it was purchased by the Old Republic Life Insurance Company.

Designated on December 8, 2010
Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Erected 2010 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 41° 53.223′ N, 87° 37.458′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is on North Michigan Avenue north of East South Water Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is to the right of the building's Michigan Avenue entrance. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 307 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Carbide and Carbon Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 333 North Michigan Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Fort Dearborn (about 400 feet away); Mather Tower (about 400 feet away); Fort Dearborn (about 500 feet away); Regeneration (about 500 feet away); Chicago River (about 500 feet away); Site of Fort Dearborn (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . . Old Republic Building (Chicago Landmarks official site). (Submitted on November 27, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 24, 2023

2. Old Republic Building (Originally the Bell Building) Marker

The 333 N. Michigan Building, another Chicago Landmark building, is immediately next door to the left in this photo. In the background on the left, across the Chicago River, is the Wrigley Building.

Old Republic Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, December 5, 2023

3. Old Republic Building

A view of the building from across Michigan Avenue.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, November 24, 2023

4. Old Republic Building

A view of the building from the south, across South Water Street.

Old Republic Building ornamentation image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Commission on Chicago Landmarks (City of Chicago), circa 2010

5. Old Republic Building ornamentation

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on December 5, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4, 5. submitted on November 27, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.