Beneath the towering facade of 19 South LaSalle Street, history whispers. This building, formerly the Central YMCA Association Building, stands as a testament to Chicago’s architectural heritage. Let’s delve into its story.
Completed in 1893, shortly before the Panic of 1893, 19 South LaSalle Street was designed by Jenney & Mundie. William LeBaron Jenney and William Bryce Mundie were the architects. The building’s name changed to reflect its address.
Today, Cloverfield Inc. owns 19 South LaSalle Street. Colonnade Management Inc. operates it as a mixed-use building. Vivid Ascent, an integrated marketing firm, has offices here. A Sprint retail location also operates within its walls.
Architecturally, 19 South LaSalle Street is notable. It is described as one of Jenney’s most uncompromising facades. Its rectangularity is broken only by horizontal banding. These bands appear at the 11th and 12th stories. The building’s shifting design and horizontal courses typify Jenney’s style.
The structure’s shape is an “L”. The narrower facade is 54 feet wide, facing LaSalle Street. A longer, more elaborate facade faces Arcade Place. This facade stretches 187 feet. Originally, 19 South LaSalle Street had a peaked roof. Additional stories replaced it. Now, it stands 16 stories tall. The American Institute of Architects Guide to Chicago mentioned 19 South LaSalle Street in 2004.
Imagine the bustling activity within these walls. From its early days as the Central YMCA Association Building to its current mixed-use status, 19 South LaSalle Street has adapted. It has remained a vital part of Chicago’s downtown landscape.
The building stands as a reminder of the city’s architectural evolution. Its enduring presence makes it a significant landmark. Take a moment to appreciate the history etched into every corner of 19 South LaSalle Street. Its story is a Chicago story. It is a story of resilience and adaptation.