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

One North LaSalle Building

Karl Vitzthum and John Burns, architects; 1929-30

— Chicago Landmark —

One North LaSalle Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 9, 2024

1. One North LaSalle Building Marker

Inscription. A premier example of soaring, streamlined, Art Deco-style skyscrapers built during the late 1920s. It features one of the city's most lavishly detailed lobbies, as well as exterior panels by sculptor Leon Hermant. This 49-story building was the city's tallest structure for more than three decades, a title it relinquished to the Daley Civic Center.

Designated on April 16, 1996 Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Erected 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 Art Deco, and the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 41° 52.938′ N, 87° 37.931′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is on LaSalle Street north of Madison Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is to the right of the LaSalle Street entrance to the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 North LaSalle Street, Chicago IL 60602, 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: Roanoke Building and Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Burnham Center (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Third Church Building (about 500 feet away); Augustus Garrett (about 500 feet away); Chicago Temple (about 500 feet away); Fourth Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago (about 500 feet away); Founded by This Church (about 500 feet away); Second Church Building of First Methodist Church of Chicago (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding One North LaSalle Building. Although it is touted on this historical marker as having been Chicago's tallest building for more than 30 years, most rankings related to the height of Chicago skyscrapers do not bestow that honor upon One North LaSalle. The Board of Trade Building, which towers over LaSalle Street about three blocks (500 yards) south of here and was completed around the same time, is 604 feet tall at its pinnacle: the statue of Ceres, Greek goddess of agriculture. Ornamentation is typically included in measuring a building's architectural height, but it's possible (but could not be confirmed) that the Board of Trade Building is shorter than One North LaSalle when you eliminate Ceres from the height.

The

One North LaSalle Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 12, 2024

2. One North LaSalle Building

The marker location is obscured by a car; it's to the right of the door, facing north (left).

building's fifth-floor reliefs depict René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, the 17th century explorer.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 12, 2024

3. One North LaSalle Building

The fifth-floor relief panels depict René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, the 17th century explorer who made extensive visits to the area that would become Illinois. A small portion of the Roanoke Building, another Chicago Landmark building, can be seen on the far right side of the photo.

One North LaSalle Building under construction, 1929 image. Click for full size.

Chicago Daily News Collection, Chicago History Museum, 1929

4. One North LaSalle Building under construction, 1929

The building is under construction in this photo. The Roanoke Building, another Chicago Landmark, is on the right.

One North LaSalle Building at night image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 9, 2024

5. One North LaSalle Building at night

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 543 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on September 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on September 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on September 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.