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

Field Building

Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, architects; 1928-34

— Chicago Landmark —

Field Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 10, 2024

1. Field Building Marker

Inscription. The vertical profile and stepped silhouette of the facade, together with a sleek two-story lobby, make the Field Building one of the most distinctive Art Deco buildings in the city. Built by the estate of department store founder Marshall Field, it was the last major office building completed prior to a 20-year construction hiatus resulting from the Great Depression and World War II. Its site formerly was occupied by the Home Insurance Building (1884), a pioneer in metal-frame skyscraper technology.

Designated on February 9, 1994
Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco, the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission, and the U.S. Route 66 series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 9, 1994.

Location. 41° 52.776′ N, 87° 37.969′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is at the intersection of South La Salle Street and West Adams Street (U.S.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

66), on the right when traveling north on South La Salle Street. The marker is affixed to the southwest corner of the Field Building, which is now known as the Bank of America Financial Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 135 South La Salle Street, Chicago IL 60603, 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: Continental and Commercial Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Rookery Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Number One City Datum (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Standard Time System in the United States (about 500 feet away); The Chicago Board of Trade's Statues (about 700 feet away); 300 West Adams Street Office Building

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 10, 2024

2. Field Building Marker

The Rookery Building, built in 1888, is across the street.

(about 700 feet away); Roanoke Building and Tower (about 800 feet away); First Jewish House of Worship (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Field Building. As referenced on the plaque, the Field Building replaced the Home Insurance Building, which is considered one of the world's first skyscrapers. Built in 1885 and designed by architect William Le Baron Jenney, the building pioneered the use of a cast-iron "skeleton" to bear the weight of the building. At 138 feet, it was much higher than its neighboring buildings, giving birth to the word "skyscraper." In the 1920s the Home Insurance Building's occupancy rate lagged many neighboring buildings, and was eventually razed along with several neighboring buildings for the Field Building.

The building would later be known as the LaSalle National Bank Building; when that bank was sold to Bank of America in 2007, the building was renamed after Bank of America.

Also see . . .
1. Chicago Landmark: Field Building. (Submitted on June 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Chicagology: Field Building. (Submitted on June 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. Chicago Architecture Center: Home Insurance Building.

Field Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 10, 2024

3. Field Building

The marker is on the right side of the photo, at the northeast corner of La Salle and Monroe

A history of the Field Building's predecessor, the Home Insurance Building, considered one of the world's first skyscrapers. (Submitted on June 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 10, 2024

4. Field Building

A south-facing view, with the Field Building on the left side, shows the Chicago Board of Trade Building a block away.

Bank of America Building lobby image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Commission on Chicago Landmarks (City of Chicago), circa 2010

5. Bank of America Building lobby

Home Insurance Building (1885-1931) image. Click for full size.

Barnes-Crosby collection, Chicago History Museum, circa 1905

6. Home Insurance Building (1885-1931)

The Field Building replaced this building at La Salle and Adams, considered one of the world's first skyscrapers.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 709 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.