The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Auditorium Building
Adler and Sullivan, architects
— 1889 —
The extraordinary engineering talent of Dankmar Adler and the architectural genius of Louis Sullivan created this building to reflect the cultural maturity of Chicago. Combining hotel and office space with a splendid theater, the Auditorium was a turning point in Sullivan's career and a milestone in the development of modern architecture.
Erected by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1940.
Location. 41° 52.552′ N, 87° 37.475′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is at the intersection of South Michigan Avenue and East Congress Parkway, on the right when traveling south on South Michigan Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 430 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60605, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bertha Van Hoosen, M.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); Fine Arts Building (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Auditorium Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Michigan Boulevard (about 600 feet away); Leiter II Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brunswick Corporation Headquarters (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harold Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blackstone Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
Regarding Auditorium Building. Frank Lloyd Wright worked at Adler and Sullivan during the time that firm designed the Auditorium Building. According to David V. Mollenhoff, Madison: A History of the Formative Years (2nd ed.), p. 220, in 1888 Wright became a draftsman for the firm, where "he rose quickly because of his uncanny ability to visualize three-dimensional space, his facile drawing skill, and his remarkable creativity. Louis Sullivan became Wright's mentor, and the two men often talked late into the night at the firms downtown Chicago offices."
Also see . . .
1. Auditorium Building (Chicago). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 17, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Roosevelt University. Website homepage for the current occupant of the Auditorium Building (Submitted on August 27, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)
3. Auditorium Theatre. Theatre website homepage (Submitted on August 27, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)
Additional keywords. Architecture
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,544 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 27, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.