One North LaSalle

One North LaSalle is an Art Deco skyscraper located at the corner of LaSalle Street and Madison Street in Chicago's Loop district. The 48-story building features a grey limestone exterior with decorative relief panels on the fifth floor and other ornamental details that define its character.

Completed in 1930 by architect Karl M. Vitzthum, the building replaced an earlier structure called the Tacoma Building. At the time of its completion, it ranked as the fourth tallest building in Chicago.

The exterior relief panels depict the expeditions of René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, linking the building to early French exploration in the region. Visitors walking past can see these carved details that tell the story of how the area's history shaped its identity.

The building sits at a convenient downtown location with easy access to nearby public transportation stations. Note that this is an active office building with restricted interior access for the public, but the exterior can be viewed and photographed from the street at any time.

The building gained recognition for its architectural importance when it was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1996, later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. This dual designation highlights how significant it is to the city's built heritage.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1930s

Architects: Karl M. Vitzthum

Architectural style: Art Deco architecture

Floors above the ground: 48

Address: 1 North LaSalle Street

GPS coordinates: 41.88232,-87.63225

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:46