The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Palmer House Hotel
Holabird & Roche, architects
— 1925-27 —
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, November 6, 2015
1. Palmer House Hotel Marker
Inscription.
Palmer House Hotel. Holabird and Roche, architects. This massive hotel, once the world's largest, bears the name of Potter Palmer, one of Chicago's most important businessmen. It is designed in the Classical Revival style with French Neoclassical influences. Interior spaces of note include the grandly-scaled and elaborate hotel reception lobby, Empire Room, Red Lacquer Room, an Grand Ballroom. At the corner of State and Monroe streets is arguably Chicago's finest-surviving historic retail storefront and interior, originally built for C.D. Peacock jewelers.
This massive hotel, once the world's largest, bears the name of Potter Palmer, one of Chicago's most important businessmen. It is designed in the Classical Revival style with French Neoclassical influences. Interior spaces of note include the grandly-scaled and elaborate hotel reception lobby, Empire Room, Red Lacquer Room, an Grand Ballroom. At the corner of State and Monroe streets is arguably Chicago's finest-surviving historic retail storefront and interior, originally built for C.D. Peacock jewelers.
Location. 41° 52.841′ N, 87° 37.62′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. Marker is on East Monroe Street near South State Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago IL 60603, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jewelers Row (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Majestic Building and Theatre (about 500 feet away);
More about this marker. This marker is locate next to the entrance to the hotel.
Also see . . . The Palmer House Hilton. Three Palmer House hotels have been located at the corner of State and Monroe streets in Chicago... By the 1920s, the business in downtown Chicago could support a much larger facility, and the Palmer Estate decided to erect a new 25-story hotel. They hired Holabird & Roche to design the building. Between 1923 and 1925, the hotel was rebuilt on the same site.(Submitted on February 4, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, November 6, 2015
2. Palmer House Hotel Marker
The marker is located just over the left shoulder of the doorman.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, November 6, 2015
3. The Peacock Door
The world renowned door, actually a piece of unusual real estate art, is one of three in creation called the "Peacock Doors." While the design reflects the majestic and mystical bird, the door actually pays homage to the famed "House of Peacock" - Chicago's historic and celebrated emporium of fine jewelry, fine china and imported gifts of silver and gold, founded by Elijah Peacock in 1837, Chicago's first incorporated business.
The House of Peacock in the Palmer House flourished throughout most of the 20th century under the leadership of C.D. Peacock (Charles Daniel), Elijah's son. The design is that of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Each of the three doors weigh more than a half-ton, and all three are valued at more than a million dollars.
This famed Peacock door is just the beginning. Step up into the historic splendor of the world renowned Palmer House lobby. See for yourself the results of one of the most comprehensive hotel restorations ever completed. This $170 million initiative has lovingly completed its mission: Return to Grandeur...
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, November 6, 2015
4. The Peacock Door
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, November 6, 2015
5. Palmer House Hotel Registration Lobby
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, November 6, 2015
6. Palmer House Hotel Registration Lobby
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 679 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 4, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.