The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Old Colony Building
Holabird and Roche, architect; 1893-94
— Chicago Landmark —
Photographed By Sean Flynn, February 14, 2024
1. Old Colony Building Marker
Rounded corner bays, a feature of many early skyscrapers, enliven the silhouette of the Old Colony Building. Continuous vertical piers divide the long Dearborn Street façade into tall, narrow sections, while continuous horizontal spandrels visually widen the narrow Van Buren Street façade.
Designated on July 7, 1978
Michael Bilandic, Mayor
Erected 1978 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 1893.
Location. 41° 52.599′ N, 87° 37.745′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is on South Dearborn Street south of Van Buren Street. The marker is to the left of the Old Colony Building's Dearborn Street entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 407 South Dearborn Street, Chicago IL 60605, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dearborn Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Fisher Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Harold Washington (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Leiter II Building
this page online
More about this marker. Based on Google Maps Street View, the marker was posted in its current location sometime after 2021. However, the marker displays some signs of wear related to age, which indicates that it was likely affixed somewhere on the building and possibly removed for an extensive, multi-year renovation that concluded in the mid-2010s.
Also see . . .
1. Old Colony Building. Chicagology website entry (Submitted on February 14, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. The Arc at Old Colony. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 7, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Sean Flynn, February 14, 2024
2. Old Colony Building
Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress), circa 1964
3. Old Colony Building
According to the Library of Congress, this photo was taken by photographer Harold Allen on May 24, 1964. The foreground remains a parking lot today, and the Plymouth Building to its immediate right and the Manhattan Building next to that are both still in existence.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 55 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 14, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
