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

Johnson Publishing Company Building

John W. Moutoussamy (Dubin, Dubin, Black & Moutoussamy), architect; 1969-1971

— Chicago Landmark —

Johnson Publishing Company Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 22, 2024

1. Johnson Publishing Company Building Marker

Inscription. This International Style office building, located on historically-prestigious Michigan Avenue, was commissioned by African American entrepreneur John H. Johnson to house his nationally-important publishing company. His magazines Ebony and Jet were highly influential publications that shone a positive light on African American achievement and success. The building is one of the most significant buildings designed by John Moutoussamy, the first African American architect to become a partner in a large Chicago architectural firm.

Designated on December 13, 2017
Rahm Emanuel, Mayor

Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1971.

Location. 41° 52.269′

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N, 87° 37.466′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is on South Michigan Avenue north of East 9th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 820 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60605, 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: Crane Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); John A. Logan (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 910 South Michigan (about 300 feet away); Fairbanks Morse & Company Building (about 500 feet away); Aaron Montgomery Ward Gardens (about 700 feet away); Blackstone Hotel (about 800 feet away); Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences (about 800 feet away); Merle Reskin Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The Johnson Publishing building was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2017 and converted into an apartment building that same year. Based on Google Street View,

Johnson Publishing Company Building (2025) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 17, 2025

2. Johnson Publishing Company Building (2025)

the plaque itself was erected sometime between August 2021 and August 2022.

Regarding Johnson Publishing Company Building. This building, dedicated on May 16, 1972, was the first building in downtown Chicago built by an African American, Ebony and Jet founder John H. Johnson. According to the Landmark Designation Report from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, Johnson's dedication speech described the new office building as a reflection of Johnson Publishing's “openness to truth, openness to light, openness to all the currents swirling in all the black communities of this land.” Johnson died in 2005 at age 87; architect John Moutoussamy died in 1995 at age 73.

Also see . . .
1. Chicago Landmark Designation Report: Johnson Publishing Company Building. From the Commission on Chicago Landmarks (Submitted on August 22, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. John Moutoussamy. A biography and a link to a video about John Moutoussamy, architect of the Johnson Publishing building. (Submitted on August 22, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

820 South Michigan entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 22, 2024

3. 820 South Michigan entrance

The marker is not visible but is on the immediate left of this photo, facing the building entrance.

Johnson Publishing Company Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 17, 2025

4. Johnson Publishing Company Building

An honorary street sign honoring John H. Johnson, founder of Johnson Publishing, is at the front of this photo.

Johnson Publishing Company Building historic photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wikipedia Commons, circa 1973

5. Johnson Publishing Company Building historic photo

Photographed by Rick Tribble, May 11, 2026

6. Johnson Publishing Company Building Marker

Marker is on the left side of the overhang walls

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 385 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 22, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on June 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 22, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 6. submitted on May 13, 2026, by Rick Tribble of South Bend, Indiana.