Chicago Federal Building

The Chicago Federal Building is an administrative structure in the Loop district constructed from granite with a distinctive glass dome roof. Lower floors housed postal operations while upper levels contained courtrooms that handled various types of cases.

The structure was planned in 1898 to replace an older, overextended federal facility that could no longer serve Chicago's expanding population. Its completion in 1899 marked a turning point for federal operations in the city.

The building served as a gathering place where significant court cases that shaped the city unfolded before the public. Chicagoans came here to witness trials that made headlines and influenced how the city developed.

Visitors should know the building remains an active federal facility where access to certain areas may be restricted. It is best to explore publicly available spaces and admire the architecture from outside.

The building was completed 28 years after the Great Chicago Fire, a disaster that had nearly destroyed the city. This timing made the new federal facility a symbol of Chicago's recovery and forward momentum.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1905

Architects: Henry Ives Cobb

Architectural style: Beaux-Arts

GPS coordinates: 41.87919,-87.62909

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:42