Wow look at this architectural masterpiece. This is the Sullivan Center formerly known as the Carson Pirie Scott and Company Building. It stands proudly at 1 South State Street.
This wasn’t always a retail giant. In 1872 Leopold Schlesinger and David Mayer opened a dry goods store. They were German immigrants who had met before the devastating Chicago Fire of 1871. Their first store was in the Bowen Building. They later hired Adler and Sullivan to renovate and expand it.
The building grew. Schlesinger and Mayer kept expanding. They hired Adler and Sullivan again for more remodeling. Then they wanted a new building. Sullivan designed a nine-story building. It was added next to the older renovations.
But they wanted more. They kept requesting more floors. Eventually a twelve-story building was agreed upon. The original section couldn’t support the added weight. It remained nine stories. Sullivan created a clever three-stage plan for construction. This plan allowed the store to stay open even during the busy Christmas season.
The Sullivan Center is a marvel of engineering. Its steel-framed structure was groundbreaking. It allowed for huge windows letting in tons of natural light. This steel frame used a post-and-lintel technique. It created a strong lightweight and fireproof skeleton. The exterior features a grid of piers and spandrels. This showcases the structural support. It also was the first building to use what became known as the Chicago window.
The building’s design was ingenious. Large windows allowed for big displays. These displays could easily be seen by passers-by on the street. This created the idea of a sidewalk showcase. Sullivan cleverly designed the entrance to be visible from both State and Madison streets. This made the store easily noticeable. He added ornate bronze-plated cast iron above the entrance. This gave the store a unique elegance.
The Sullivan Center has changed over time. Carson Pirie Scott occupied the building for over a century. They closed in 2007. The building was renamed the Sullivan Center. It’s now a mixed-use space including office space the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Target store. The original cornice was lost over time but was beautifully recreated in 2006. Hidden in the cast iron ornamentation are the initials LHS for Louis Henri Sullivan and SM for Schlesinger and Mayer. This building is a testament to the vision and craftsmanship of Louis Sullivan and a fascinating piece of Chicago history.