A daring architectural feat. That’s 2 Riverside Plaza. This impressive structure wasn’t just built it was boldly conceived. It stands tall a testament to innovation and vision.
2 Riverside Plaza originally known as the Chicago Daily News Building. It was completed in 1929. The Chicago Daily News one of Chicago’s most influential newspapers at the time. It occupied this magnificent building. Its construction marked a turning point. The building was the first in the US to utilize air rights above railroad tracks. This ingenious solution transformed a neglected industrial area into a thriving urban office center.
Before 1929 the Chicago River’s west side was lined with industrial buildings. The river itself was polluted and undesirable. 2 Riverside Plaza dramatically changed this. It was the first to aesthetically and commercially revitalize the riverfront. It was the first American skyscraper to incorporate an open-air plaza. This innovative design concept redefined urban landscapes.
The building’s creation involved a fascinating saga. Walter A Strong acquired the Chicago Daily News. He envisioned a modern facility. He sought a suitable location. He realized the site of the Chicago Opera House was too small. Instead he secured air rights over railroad tracks. This required extensive negotiations lasting a year and a half. Finally he sold Lawson’s original parcel to Samuel Insull a utility magnate. Insull agreed to build a structure that would include a new Opera House.
Holabird & Root designed 2 Riverside Plaza. The building housed 2000 Daily News employees. It also provided studio space for WMAQ Strong’s radio station. The Art Deco facade was a bold statement. It was seen as a direct challenge to the Chicago Tribune’s Neo Gothic Tribune Tower. Inside a stunning mural by John W Norton depicted the newspaper’s operations. Sadly it was removed in 1993 and remains in storage.
Today 2 Riverside Plaza stands as a powerful reminder of Chicago’s architectural and journalistic past. It is considered one of Chicago’s finest examples of Art Deco architecture. A ramped concourse now serves as the main entrance to the Ogilvie Transportation Center. This concourse was once the main lobby of the building. Its legacy lives on a symbol of ingenuity and urban transformation. The building continues to shape the Chicago skyline. It stands as a significant architectural achievement.