Sullivan Center

Sullivan Center is a twelve-story commercial building at the corner of State Street and Madison Street in Chicago's Loop District. The facade consists of white terracotta with large windows extending across the full height, resting on a steel-frame structure.

Construction began in 1899 and finished in 1903, with Louis Sullivan handling the design. The building served as a department store until 2007 and received National Historic Landmark status in 1975.

The entrance displays Sullivan's characteristic floral motifs with intertwined vines and stylized plant forms cast in iron. These ornaments emerged as Sullivan's response to his belief that modern buildings needed their own American design language.

The main entrance sits at the corner, while additional access points line State Street. Lower floors house retail shops, while upper levels serve as office space.

The entrance metalwork extends across three stories and forms a continuous carpet of geometric patterns. Each element was cast by hand and assembled on site, with no two panels exactly alike.

Location: Chicago

Architects: Louis Sullivan

Floors above the ground: 12

Website: http://thesullivancenter.com

GPS coordinates: 41.88171,-87.62755

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:31