Main Building

Strolling down South Federal Street, you might notice a majestic structure standing tall and proud. This is the Main Building, once a grand cornerstone of the Armour Institute of Technology, now a cherished part of the Illinois Institute of Technology. The Main Building, built in the late 19th century, holds the legacy of Philip D. Armour, a prominent Chicago industrialist who generously funded the Institute. His name lives on, etched in a beautiful stained-glass window on the building’s main staircase. The building screams Romanesque Revival architecture, a style characterized by heavy arches, intricate ornamentation, and rich, red brick facade. But there’s more to this building than meets the eye. It was designed by the architectural firm Patton & Fisher, renowned for their work on numerous Carnegie libraries throughout the Midwest. Think of the Main Building as a testament to the rich history of education and architectural ingenuity in the city of Chicago. As you stand before it, imagine the young minds who once roamed its hallways, inspired by the vision of Frank Gunsaulus, the Armour Institute’s first president. The Main Building of Illinois Institute of Technology is more than just a building; it’s a living archive of Chicago’s past, a reminder of the city’s commitment to education, and a beacon of hope for its future.