Standing here in front of the Reid-Murdoch Center, it’s hard to imagine the bustling activity that once filled this grand building. This majestic seven-story office building, a shining example of the “Chicago School” of architecture, has witnessed the evolution of Chicago from a bustling center of industry to a thriving hub of culture and commerce. Built in 1914, the Reid-Murdoch Center was originally home to Reid, Murdoch & Co., one of the country’s largest wholesale grocers. The building hummed with the energy of production: cheeses, coffee, catsup, sugar, fish, bread, and pickles were all processed and manufactured within its walls. This is a little-known fact: The building even included a humidor where tobacco was rolled for cigars! Being located right on the Chicago River allowed Reid, Murdoch & Co. to easily transport goods via boats and trains. And with the building connected to the city’s downtown freight tunnel system, it was truly a marvel of its time. As late as 1955, the Reid-Murdoch Center was used by the city of Chicago as a government building, most famously housing their traffic courts. Today, the building is owned by Friedman Properties and proudly serves as the headquarters of the world-renowned Encyclopaedia Britannica. The Reid-Murdoch Center, a testament to Chicago’s industrial past and its evolving future, stands as a symbolic reminder of the city’s resilience and its continuous journey of progress.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to