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

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Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

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); a different marker also named 333 North Michigan Building (about 300 feet away); Old Fort Dearborn (about 400 feet away); Mather Tower (about 400 feet away); Kin Link, 2023 (about 500 feet away); Chicago's Movable Bridges (about 500 feet away); 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 P. 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

Bell Building (1925) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barnum & Barnum, photographer; Chicago History Museum (ICHi-021571), circa 1925

6. Bell Building (1925)

A east-facing photo of the building soon after its completion.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 711 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on December 5, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4, 5. submitted on November 27, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 6. submitted on May 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.