Old Colony Building

The Old Colony Building stands as a 17-story skyscraper with brick and terra cotta facade on South Dearborn Street in downtown Chicago. The structure was later converted into student apartments while maintaining its distinctive exterior appearance.

The building was constructed by architects Holabird & Roche between 1893 and 1894 and was Chicago's tallest structure upon completion. Its height of about 215 feet marked a milestone in the development of skyscrapers during that era.

The building displays the Chicago School style with its steel frame and expansive windows that flood interiors with light. This open approach to construction shaped how downtown looks today and shows how architects of that era experimented with new methods.

The building sits across from Harold Washington Library and is easily reached on foot from the street. Access for visitors may be limited since it functions as private residential space, but the exterior is clearly visible from the sidewalk.

The building was innovative for its time with an internal portal arch system that improved wind resistance and was later copied in other tall structures. This construction technique was a key element that helped architects build even taller structures.