Carbide & Carbon Building

The Carbide and Carbon Building is a 37-story hotel on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, showing a facade of black granite, green terra cotta, and gold leaf accents. The tower reaches 153 meters (503 feet) in height and now houses the Pendry Chicago Hotel with guest rooms and suites downtown.

The Burnham Brothers completed the building in 1929 as regional headquarters for the Union Carbide and Carbon Company, just before the stock market crash. The structure received Chicago Landmark recognition in 1996, officially protecting its architectural contribution to Michigan Avenue.

The name comes from the Union Carbide and Carbon Company that established its headquarters here, while the shimmering roof of genuine leaf gold defines the street silhouette. Inside, the original lobby merges with modern hotel functions, so visitors experience the connection between historic grandeur and today's use.

The building sits directly on Michigan Avenue and offers easy access from street level, as the main entrance opens right onto the sidewalk. The lobby is accessible during standard hotel hours, allowing visitors to view the architectural details from the ground floor.

The golden spire contains genuine 24-karat gold leaf measuring only 0.0005 inches (0.0127 millimeters) in thickness, still shining above the skyline today. Some people compare the design to a champagne bottle, with the dark green shaft and golden cap recalling the celebrations of the 1920s.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1929

Architects: Daniel Burnham

Architectural style: Art Deco

Floors above the ground: 37

Website: https://stjanehotel.com

GPS coordinates: 41.88660,-87.62490

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:25