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

Inland Steel Company Building

Erected: 1957

— Architects: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill —

Inland Steel Company Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 14, 2024

1. Inland Steel Company Building Marker

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

In recognition of the fine open relationship of the building elements to the site; the expression of space and structure achieving clarity and lightness through the stainless steel and glass.

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

Erected 1960 by Commission on Chicago Architectural Landmarks.

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 1957.

Location. 41° 52.853′ N, 87° 37.737′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is on West Monroe Street east of Dearborn Street. The marker is at the front of a large garden area featuring flags of the United States and Chicago. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30 West Monroe Street, Chicago IL 60603, United States of America.

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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: Inland Steel Building (here, next to this marker); Majestic Building and Theatre (a few steps from this marker); Chicago Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marquette Building (about 400 feet away); Jones Hall (about 400 feet away); Potter Palmer (about 500 feet away); Palmer House Hotel (about 500 feet away); The Show Must Go On (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—including one for the Inland Steel Building that is affixed immediately to the right of this one. In 1960, the

Inland Steel Company Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 14, 2024

2. Inland Steel Company Building

The marker is to the right of the building entrance. CIBC Theatre is on the right side of this photograph, taken from across Monroe Street.

Inland Steel building—only 3 years old at the time—was one of approximately 37 buildings honored by the Commission on Chicago Architectural Landmarks as "Chicago Landmarks," which entitled each to a plaque. Only 27 of these buildings still exist today. At least four other markers like this are known to remain on display at three other locations, although there may be a handful more. One is at the Auditorium Building, about ½ mile southeast of here, two identical markers are at at 860 and 880 N. Lake Shore Dr., and one more is in the west-side Austin neighborhood at Third Unitarian Church.

Also see . . . Inland Steel.

Excerpt: "The Inland Steel Building: A Collection of Chicago Firsts: first fully air-conditioned building; first indoor, underground parking facility; first to use two-inch thick, dual-glazed glass to help with climate control; first building constructed on steel pilings; first building with automated window washing and mail distribution systems."

(Submitted on February 14, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean Flynn, February 14, 2024

3. Inland Steel Company Building

Inland Steel Company Photograph Collection, IUPUI University Library, circa 1958

4. Inland Steel Company Building

A 1958 view of the brand-new building, taken from Dearborn Street to the south; the office building portion of the Majestic Theatre (then called the Shubert Theatre, today known as CIBC Theatre; the office building is now a Hampton Inn) is visible on the right. The same view today would be partially obscured by a modern office tower on the southeast corner of Dearborn and Monroe.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 14, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.