Calumet Block
Life Span: 1884-1913
Location: 111-17 S. LaSalle
Architect: Burnham & Roots
The Calumet Building (Block), nine stories high with one basement, on spread foundations, Burnham & Root were the architects. The foundations were commenced in 1884 and slowly and steadily they were laid—sufficient time being given them to settle perfectly, which it may be remarked, is too unusual a custom in Chicago building. These foundations are isolated pyramidal piers—a form which has been found to be the only thoroughly reliable one for Chicago.
And yet this “perfect” and “reliable” work endured for less than thirty years. It was torn down to be replaced by an addition to the Borland Block, making the building uniform from Monroe Street to the alley.
Calumet Block
SE corner of Monroe & LaSalle Streets
Calumet Block is the 9-story building in the middle
Calumet Block
Robinson Fire Map, 1886
Volume 1, Plate 1
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