Lost in the heart of Chicago stands the Palmolive Building. This Art Deco masterpiece whispers tales of soap empires, Playboy’s reign, and a beacon that once guided aviators. Its story is etched in the city’s skyline.
The Palmolive Building completed in 1929, was commissioned by the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company. It was designed by Holabird & Root. The skyscraper was intended as a monument to cleanliness. It was the first commercial skyscraper built far from the Loop.
For years, it served as the headquarters for the soap giant. The Palmolive Building stood as a testament to their success. But its story doesn’t end with soap.
In 1965, Playboy Enterprises purchased the leasehold. The building was renamed the Playboy Building. For many, the name Playboy Building became synonymous with the magazine’s glamorous image. Nine-foot illuminated letters spelling P-L-A-Y-B-O-Y adorned the roofline.
However, Playboy’s time at the Palmolive Building eventually ended. In 1980, Playboy sold the leasehold and moved its offices. The building was briefly known as 919 North Michigan Avenue.
In 2001, the building was sold to Draper and Kramer. They converted it into residential use. The building’s original name, the Palmolive Building, was restored. Today, high-end condos occupy most of the building. The commercial address is 919 North Michigan Avenue. The residential address is 159 East Walton Place.
Notably, actor Vince Vaughn once owned a massive triplex penthouse here. The penthouse encompassed the 35th, 36th and 37th floors.
But there is also the story of the Lindbergh Beacon. In 1930, a powerful rotating beacon was installed on top of the Palmolive Building. It was named after aviator Charles Lindbergh. The Lindbergh Beacon guided airplanes to Midway Airport. Its two billion candle-power beam was visible for hundreds of miles.
The beacon shone brightly for decades. Complaints from residents of nearby buildings eventually led to its closure in 1981. In the late 2000s, the beacon was modified. It now rotates back and forth toward the waterfront. The historic beacon resumed operation after that.
Designated a Chicago Landmark in 2000, the Palmolive Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The Palmolive Building stands as a reminder of Chicago’s architectural heritage.