Tacoma Building, Steel-frame skyscraper at LaSalle and Madison Streets, Chicago, United States.
The Tacoma Building is a steel-frame skyscraper at the corner of LaSalle and Madison Streets in Chicago with thirteen stories. The facade features continuous bay windows that bring natural light into office spaces and maximize rentable floor area.
The building was constructed between 1886 and 1889 and marked a turning point in architectural history with its complete steel skeleton frame. This method replaced traditional thick outer walls and set the direction for all future tall buildings.
The building exemplifies the Chicago School, a movement that advanced new ideas about designing office buildings in the late 1800s. Its approach influenced how architects thought about constructing tall structures.
The building sits downtown at an easily accessible street corner and can be viewed on foot. From the exterior, you can observe the facade features clearly and study the architectural details of early steel-frame construction.
Though used in its original form for a limited time, its construction method transformed the entire building industry. Architects worldwide quickly adopted the steel skeleton system because it was more efficient and economical.
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