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

Pittsfield Building

Graham, Anderson, Probst and White, architect; 1927

— Chicago Landmark —

Pittsfield Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, February 29, 2024

1. Pittsfield Building Marker

Inscription. One of Chicago's finest 1920s-era skyscrapers, this building exemplifies the importance of the City's pioneering 1923 zoning ordinance, which encouraged Chicago's distinctive tower-embellished skyline. Designed by one of the City's leading architectural firms, it was built by the Marshall Field Estate as a premier office building to house a variety of fine stores centered around a handsome interior atrium, plus professional offices. Through the decades since, it has been an important location for Jewelers and medical professionals.

Erected 2002 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 41° 52.991′ N, 87° 37.541′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is on East Washington Street east of Wabash Avenue. The marker is to the left of the building's north entrance on Washington. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55 East Washington Street, Chicago IL 60602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

distance of this marker. Jewelers Row (within shouting distance of this marker); The Chicago Public Library Cultural Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Michigan Boulevard (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Aaron Montgomery Ward (about 400 feet away); Jean Baptiste Beaubien (about 500 feet away); Old Saint Mary's Cathedral (about 500 feet away); The Heyworth Building (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Jewelers Row (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The building was named after Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where Marshall Field was born. When completed in 1927, the 557-foot building was regarded as the tallest in Chicago — one foot above the Chicago Temple Building — a designation it held until the Chicago Board of Trade was completed in 1930.

As of February 2024, the building is in active use, yet it has been surrounded by scaffolding for years amid stalled renovations due to various legal squabbles.

Also see . . .
1. Pittsfield Building: Landmark Designation Report. A 2001 report from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks (Submitted on February 29, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chicagology: Pittsfield Building. (Submitted on February 29, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed By Sean Flynn, February 29, 2024

2. Pittsfield Building Marker

The marker is visible to the left of the entrance in this photo.

3. THREATENED: More Legal Difficulties Delay Landmark Pittsfield Building Renovation. From Preservation Chicago (Submitted on February 29, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Pittsfield Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, February 29, 2024

3. Pittsfield Building

The Pittsfield building from across the street, at the intersection of Washington and Wabash.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 29, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 41 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 29, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.