Manhattan Building

The Manhattan Building is an office structure in the Chicago School style located at 431 South Dearborn Street with 16 floors rising to about 53 meters. Its facade combines large windows with granite and brick elements that create its sturdy, functional appearance.

Designed in 1891 by William Le Baron Jenney, the structure revolutionized tall-building construction through its innovative steel skeleton system. This groundbreaking design principle influenced how commercial buildings were constructed for decades to come.

The building displays the hallmark design of Chicago School architecture through its expansive windows that define its character. These openings shaped how people thought about commercial buildings and remain central to the structure's identity.

The building sits in downtown Chicago and is easily accessible by public transportation options. The surrounding area is well-connected and filled with other attractions and services.

The structure uses steel cantilevers at the north and south walls to distribute the building's load, showing early engineering techniques of the period. This system allowed the outer walls to be freed from bearing the entire weight of the structure.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1891

Architects: William Le Baron Jenney

Architectural style: Chicago School

Floors above the ground: 16

Height: 53.5 m

Address: 431 South Dearborn Street

GPS coordinates: 41.87583,-87.62917

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52