Here at the corner of LaSalle and Division Street looms the impressive LaSalle Towers Apartments. This high-rise has quite a history. Let’s delve into the story of this iconic building.
Originally built in 1929, the LaSalle Towers Apartments first served as a hotel. Imagine the bustling activity within these walls during the Roaring Twenties. Guests from all walks of life checked in seeking comfort and excitement in Chicago.
Fast forward to the early 1980s. The building underwent a significant transformation. Weese, Seegers, Hickey, and Weese spearheaded a renovation project. The LaSalle Towers Apartments was reborn as a residential complex.
But the renovation didn’t stop there. The exterior received a stunning makeover. Richard Haas, a master of trompe-l’œil, adorned three sides of the building with breathtaking murals. These murals aren’t just paint. They create illusions.
Look closely at the east face of LaSalle Towers Apartments. Haas created the illusion of Chicago School bay windows. He even added a cornice with a circular window. It’s a clever trick of the eye making you think the building has architectural features that aren’t really there.
Now turn your attention to the south face of LaSalle Towers Apartments. Here, Haas pays homage to Louis Sullivan. He recreated the Golden Arch from the World’s Columbian Exposition Transportation Building. You’ll also spot the circular window of the Merchants’ National Bank in Grinnell, Iowa.
Beneath the arch, Haas painted figures of architectural giants. Sullivan, Daniel Burnham, John Wellborn Root, and Frank Lloyd Wright stand together. It’s a tribute to the architects who shaped Chicago. A painted reflection of the Chicago Board of Trade Building appears in the windows.
Finally, gaze at the north face of LaSalle Towers Apartments. You’ll see more painted windows. These windows reflect Adolf Loos’ unused design for the Tribune Tower. Loos envisioned a large column-like structure. The murals are collectively called “Homage to the Chicago School of Architecture”.
In 2006, the LaSalle Towers Apartments underwent another conversion. This time into condominiums. The building houses 70 units. These units include one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. There are also two commercial spaces.
Interestingly, in 2020, Kiser Group listed the LaSalle Towers Condominium for sale. This was a condominium deconversion. This means reverting the building back to apartments. It is a complex process.
The LaSalle Towers Apartments stands as a testament to Chicago’s architectural evolution. It has transformed from a hotel to apartments and then to condominiums. Its trompe-l’œil murals are a unique artistic feature. This building is a landmark in one of Chicago’s most iconic neighborhoods. Its location offers residents easy access to transit. It provides the best of Chicago’s near north lifestyle. The LaSalle Towers Apartments remains a sought-after address.