Morrison Hotel

Morrison Hotel was a 160-meter tall skyscraper at the corner of Madison and Clark Streets with a limestone and terra cotta facade. It contained more than 2,200 rooms spread across four connected sections, along with multiple dining venues, a ballroom, and a rooftop garden.

The original structure built by Orsemus Morrison in 1860 was a modest three-story building that later gave way to the grand hotel complex designed by Holabird & Roche in 1925.

The Terrace Casino inside became a gathering place where Chicago's social elite and visiting musicians shaped the city's jazz and entertainment scene.

The building was easily accessible from public transportation due to its downtown Loop location at a main intersection. Multiple entrances allowed visitors to access the different sections and facilities throughout the complex.

In 1927, a stuntman named Joe Powers spent sixteen days living on the flagpole atop the building, setting a world record at the time. This daring feat gained him brief fame and drew crowds of spectators to witness the unusual event.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1925

Architects: Holabird & Root

Architectural style: Art Deco architecture

Floors above the ground: 45

Height: 160.33 m

GPS coordinates: 41.88160,-87.63010

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:40