Chicago Building

The Chicago Savings Bank Building is a sixteen-story structure clad in brown terra cotta with large windows set in metal frames. The construction showcases the characteristic combination of solid material and expansive glazing that keeps the interior bright and open.

Built between 1904 and 1905 by architects Holabird & Roche, this structure pioneered early innovations in fireproof construction methods. These advances were crucial for safely building tall structures in the rapidly growing city.

The building embodies the Chicago School movement, which focused on practical design combined with large bay windows to bring in daylight. This approach became a defining feature of how the city developed its distinctive look.

The building sits at the intersection of State and Madison Streets, where it serves as the zero point for Chicago's street address numbering system. Visitors can easily locate this spot and use it as an anchor point for exploring the surrounding area.

In 1997, the building was transformed into a dormitory for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. This new use brought life back inside and gave the structure a fresh role in the city's artistic community.