Rookery Building | Chicago

The Rookery Building is a historic architectural landmark located at 209 South LaSalle Street in Chicago’s Loop district. It is one of the city’s most important early skyscrapers and a key example of Chicago’s pioneering role in modern architecture.

History and Background

Completed: 1888

Architects: Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root of the firm Burnham & Root

The building was commissioned as an office building in the heart of Chicago’s commercial district during the city’s rapid post-Great Fire rebuilding era.

Architectural Significance

The Rookery is renowned for its innovative combination of steel-frame construction (a hallmark of early skyscrapers) and traditional masonry.

It blends styles including Romanesque Revival (notably in its heavy stone façade and arches) with early commercial architecture that emphasized verticality and light.

The building’s name, "Rookery," comes from the crowded roosting place of birds, reflecting the bustling business activity it housed.

Key Features

Exterior:
The façade combines brick, granite, and terra cotta with intricate ornamental details, featuring large arched windows that allow natural light deep into the building.

Interior:
The building’s most famous feature is its light-filled central atrium, a two-story lobby court with a stunning glass and iron skylight.

Frank Lloyd Wright Renovation (1905):
The famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned to redesign the lobby and light court interior. His work introduced:

White marble staircases

Ornamental ironwork with elegant geometric patterns

A more open and modern feel that enhanced natural light and circulation

Wright’s renovation is considered a masterpiece of early 20th-century design and contributed greatly to the building’s lasting architectural legacy.

Historical Importance

The Rookery was one of the first buildings in Chicago to use a steel skeleton, allowing it to reach 12 stories, which was impressive at the time.

It exemplifies the transition from heavy masonry to steel-frame skyscrapers, a key development in modern architecture.

The building has continuously housed offices since its opening and remains a functioning commercial building.

Recognition and Preservation

The Rookery Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated Chicago Landmark.

It stands as a symbol of Chicago’s architectural innovation and the city’s recovery and growth after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

In summary, the Rookery Building is a pioneering early skyscraper celebrated for its architectural innovation, historic significance, and the beautiful interior renovation by Frank Lloyd Wright. It remains a vital piece of Chicago’s architectural heritage and a must-see for architecture enthusiasts.