Builders Building

Can you imagine a skyscraper housing an entire industry? Right here, the Builders Building aimed to do just that. The Builders Building opened in 1927 on North LaSalle Street. It was envisioned as a central hub for Chicago’s construction industry. The Chicago Builders’ Building Corporation spearheaded this ambitious project. It consisted of construction companies, individuals, and trade groups. They intended the building to house offices and an exhibition space. The renowned architectural firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White designed the Builders Building in the Classical Revival style. It originally stood 22 stories tall, clad in limestone and terra cotta. The design incorporated the newly completed multi-level Wacker Drive. It included a lower level for truck deliveries and an underground parking garage. The Builders Building faced hardship during the Great Depression. As the construction industry struggled, other tenants moved in, including the Chicago Board of Education. Decades later, from 1980 to 1986, the Builders Building underwent a major renovation by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Four stories were added with a slanted glass facade. A western addition, mirroring the original style, was built along Wells Street. This allowed the Builders Building to occupy the entire half-block. The renovation even earned the architects a citation of merit from the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Today, the Builders Building, owned by Tishman Speyer, stands 26 stories tall. It boasts almost one million square feet of office space and a LEED Silver Certification. It’s a testament to Chicago’s architectural ingenuity and the enduring legacy of the construction industry. The Builders Building continues to be a prominent feature of the Chicago skyline. It stands as a contributing property to the West Loop–LaSalle Street Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.