Old Chicago Main Post Office

Old Chicago Main Post Office is a former postal building in Chicago, Illinois. The limestone structure rises over nine floors and displays white marble interiors along with gold glass mosaics on the walls and ceilings.

The building was constructed in the early twenties of the last century following plans by a well-known local architecture firm. A major expansion followed in the mid-thirties to meet the growing shipping needs of the city.

The name recalls a time when this was the city's central mail sorting point, handling letters and parcels from across the region every day. The halls with their gold glass work show how public buildings were designed a century ago to express trust and dignity.

The building now houses different offices and is easily recognizable from the outside by its light stone facade along Canal Street. Visitors can view the exterior and entrance area during regular business hours, though the interior spaces remain private.

Beneath Van Buren Street run tunnels that stretch across three city blocks and allowed trucks to drive straight into the building. These underground passages served for decades to speed up mail deliveries without disrupting street traffic.

Location: Illinois

Architects: Graham, Anderson, Probst & White

Official opening: 1921

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture, Art Deco architecture

Floors above the ground: 9

GPS coordinates: 41.87560,-87.63880

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26