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

Auditorium Building

Erected: 1889; Architects: Adler & Sullivan

Photographed by Sean Flynn

1. Auditorium Building Marker

Inscription.
The Commission on Chicago Architectural Landmarks by authority of the City Council of Chicago has designated this building as an architectural landmark.

In recognition of the community spirit which here joined commercial and artistic ends, uniting hotel, office building, and theatre in one structure; the inventiveness of the engineer displayed from foundations to the perfect acoustics; and the genius of the architect which gave form and, with the aid of original ornament, expressed the spirit of festivity in rooms of great splendor.

City of Chicago
Richard J. Daley, Mayor
February 11, 1960

Erected 1960 by The Commission on Chicago Architectural Landmarks; City of Chicago.

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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 41° 52.567′ N, 87° 37.552′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is on South Wabash Avenue north of East Ida B. Wells Drive, on the

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left when traveling south. The marker is to the right of the northwestern entrance into the building. A newer Chicago Landmark marker for this building can be found on the southeastern corner of the building, at Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 431 S Wabash Ave, Chicago IL 60605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: A different marker also named Auditorium Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bertha Van Hoosen, M.D. (about 400 feet away); Fine Arts Building (about 400 feet away); Diosa (Jasmina Cazucu) (about 400 feet away); Leiter II Building (about 500 feet away); Harold Washington (about 500 feet away); Robert Williams

Photographed by Sean Flynn, December 5, 2023

2. Auditorium Building Marker

The marker is to the right of the doorway.

(about 600 feet away); Historic Michigan Boulevard (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. This metallic marker is a rare precursor to the dark-and-gold Chicago Landmark markers that adorn historic buildings across Chicago. Between 1957 and 1964, the Commission on Chicago Architectural Landmarks designated approximately 37 buildings in Chicago as "architectural landmarks." (Only 27 of these buildings still stand today.) The designation entitled each of these buildings to a plaque, presumably these rectangular metallic plaques. At least four more plaques like this are known to be on display, although there may be a handful more. One is at the Inland Steel Building at Monroe and Dearborn in the Loop; two identical markers are found at 860 and 880 N. Lake Shore Dr.; and one more is at Third Unitarian Church in the Austin neighborhood on the far west side.

Regarding Auditorium Building. Construction began in 1886 and took three years to complete. When finished, it was the tallest building in Chicago and one of the largest and most expensive ever built anywhere. In the

Auditorium Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, December 5, 2023

3. Auditorium Building

The southern end of the Auditorium Building. The marker is blocked by a pedestrian in this photo, but is to the right of the archways on the far left.

first decades of the 20th century, however the number of shows dwindled through the years, especially after the completion of the Civic Opera House in 1929 and the dawn of the Great Depression. Roosevelt University acquired the building in 1946 and converted the office space and hotels into classrooms and offices. This marker was posted in 1960, at about the time when the building itself began a massive and faithful restoration, led by architect Harry Weese, to restore it to its original splendor. The restoration was completed in 1967, with further enhancements through the years. As of 2023, Roosevelt continues to own and operate the building.

Also see . . .
1. Auditorium Building. Society of Architectural Historians website entry (Submitted on December 6, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Auditorium Theatre. Website homepage (Submitted on December 6, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress), circa July 1963

4. Auditorium Building

This photo, likely from 1963, shows the Auditorium Building from the east, across Michigan Avenue.

Auditorium Theater interior detail image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress), circa August 1963

5. Auditorium Theater interior detail

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 6, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.