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

Reliance Building

D. H. Burnham & Co., architects; 1890-95

— Chicago Landmark —

Reliance Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn

1. Reliance Building Marker

Inscription. Expansive windows and Gothic-ornamented terra cotta give this building a light and airy appearance befitting its international reputation as a forerunner of 20th-century glass-and-steel skyscrapers. The building was constructed in two stages: the ground floor and mezzanine were designed by John Wellborn Root, while the upper stories are the work of Charles Atwood. The building was restored in 1996-99.

Designated on July 11, 1975
Richard J. Daley, Mayor

Erected 1975 by Commission on Chicago 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 1890.

Location. 41° 52.981′ N, 87° 37.684′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in the Loop District. It is at the intersection of State Street and Washington Street on State Street. The building is inside the doorway of the building's State Street entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 West Washington Street, Chicago IL 60602, 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: State Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Marshall Field and Company Building

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jones Hall (about 400 feet away); Chicago Building (about 400 feet away); The Rotary Club of Chicago (about 400 feet away); The Heyworth Building (about 500 feet away); Jewelers Row (about 600 feet away); Eternal Flame Memorial (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Reliance Building. A State Street historical marker, across State Street from the Reliance building, offers a history of the building (see photo #4): "Today dwarfed by surrounding taller structures, the 14-story Reliance Building epitomizes the early development of the Chicago skyscraper. Exterior walls of glass and glazed white terra cotta serve merely as a curtain for the building's underlying skeletal frame. Because leases on the upper floors of the old building on the site did not expire until 1894, the Reliance was constructed in two stages. In 1890, the upper floors of the old building were supported on jack screws so the lower story could be demolished and the ground floor of the new building built. The new space was immediately leased to the rapidly

Reliance Building entryway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, January 31, 2024

2. Reliance Building entryway

The marker is just inside the doors, to the right.

expanding Carson, Pirie Scott & Co., who fitted their new store with mahogany woodwork and alabaster walls inlaid with gold. When the old leases ran out, the upper floors were demolished and the steel skeleton for the remaining 13 stories and attic completed in less than a month. State Street saw a handsome new speculative office building for doctors, containing one of the city's finest department stores."

Also see . . . Chicago Architecture Center: Reliance Building. (Submitted on February 1, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Reliance Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 31, 2025

3. Reliance Building

Photographed by Sean Flynn, January 31, 2024

4. Reliance Building

Reliance Building history image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, January 31, 2024

5. Reliance Building history

A State Street historical marker, across State Street from the Reliance building, offers a history of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 713 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 1, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on December 31, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4, 5. submitted on February 1, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.