Washington Block, Commercial landmark structure at 40 North Wells Street, Chicago, United States.
Washington Block is a five-story limestone structure at the corner of North Wells Street and Washington Street that stands out with detailed stonework and carved window frames. The horizontal rusticated joints run deep into the facade and give the corner lot a strong presence in the cityscape.
The building was built between 1873 and 1874 by architects Frederick and Edward Baumann as Chicago rebuilt after the devastating Great Fire of 1871. This rebuilding period brought fresh thinking about construction and foundation that reshaped the city's character.
The building shows features of the transition between traditional craft-based architecture and modern construction methods that shaped Chicago. You can see this in the careful stonework and details that were still handmade at that time.
The building occupies the corner between two streets and is visible and accessible from both sides, allowing you to observe all architectural details. The ground floor is filled with retail spaces while upper floors have offices, which means the location stays active throughout the day.
The building used a new technique called isolated pier foundation that made it possible to build on soft soil instead of on rock. This innovation fundamentally changed how Chicago was built and made it possible for the city to grow taller and faster.
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