Ever wondered what a building named after an Olympian and U.S. Representative looks like? That’s the Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building. It stands tall in downtown Chicago. This 28-story building is more than just a government office. It’s a tribute to Ralph Harold Metcalfe.
The Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building was built in 1991. It was designed in the style of Mies van der Rohe. The building features steel framing. Inside, you will find a state-of-the-art conference facility. Federal tenants can use this facility. There is also a dining hall here. A coffee shop and vending machines are available too.
Who was Ralph H. Metcalfe? He was an Olympian and U.S. Representative. Metcalfe was born in Atlanta, Georgia. His family moved to Chicago when he was young. He excelled in track and field. Metcalfe competed in the Olympics. He won several medals. Later, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building houses several key tenants. These include the Environmental Protection Agency EPA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also has offices here. You’ll also find the Department of Health and Human Services and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
The Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building has received awards for its excellence. It won “The Office Building of the Year” awards from 2008 to 2011. The Building Owners and Managers Association BOMA presented these awards. The building also won ENERGY STAR awards in 2007 and 2012. These awards recognized its energy efficiency.
The Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building has a conference center. It is called the Morrison Conference Center. It offers seven conference rooms. These rooms serve the business needs of federal agencies. The facility is fully equipped. It has sound, projection, video, and satellite capability. It can accommodate up to 442 people.
You can find art inside the Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building. The building has a fine art collection. Public access is available. All visitors must pass through security screening. The main entrances are on the north and west sides. The north entrance faces Jackson Boulevard. The west entrance faces Clark Street. An accessible entrance is on Jackson Boulevard. It has automatic sliding doors.
The Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building is easy to reach. Several CTA “L” stops are nearby. These include LaSalle/Van Buren and Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren. The Jackson stop is also close.
The Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building stands as a symbol. It represents Metcalfe’s achievements and contributions. It serves as a functional space for government operations. It also honors a remarkable man.