Adams Express Building

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Adams Express Company
Life Span: 1884-1934
Location: 183-189 Dearborn Street
Architect: George H. Edbrooke

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Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1885
Adams Express Bldg.—185-189 Dearborn

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Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1904
Adams Express Bldg.—183-189 Dearborn

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Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1911
Adams Express Bldg.—115 S. Dearborn

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Chicago Tribune, November 2, 1884

Adams Express Building
Another Fine Structure Added to Chicago Office Buildings

Architect G. H. Edbrooke has just completed on Dearborn, between Monroe and Adams streets, a large nine-story office building for Cooper & Carson. The location is well adapted for railroad, bank, and general offices, this fact being so well appreciated that nearly all the offices, with the exception of the two upper floors, are already rented, and to a class of tenants that will tend to make the building one of the most prominent in the business district. Plans and terms of renting may be had at A. J. Cooper’s 180 Dearborn street. Every improvement that past experience and modern wants have suggested have been used in this building, especial care having devoted to make the offices well lighted and ventilated.

As in nearly all our recent structures the front is of Cainago Anderson pressed brick.

One of the essential features of all our new buildings is that they shall be practically fireproof. James John’s plaster concrete, which is one and a half inches thick, is used to protect the wood joists in this case, being constructed in one continuous mass over the entire ceiling surface before any partitions are set. It becomes a positive barrier to fire communicated from one floor to another. This method of protecting wood joists has received many actual tests and never been found wanting, and it has the further merit of being one-third cheaper than any other method for the protection of wood joists.

The Concrete Building Tile Company, 24 Lakeside Building, Chicago, manufacturers of a new style of sidewalk and floor lights—a great improvement on the old-fashioned Hyatt bullseye light—are putting in the vestibule lights, also a large interior floor light, which deserves a visit from all interested in building. They have just completed an elegant glass roof and some fine interior glass floors in the new Pullman building.

The steam heating and ventilation, which is first-class in every respect, is effected by two 60×16 boilers. These, with connections, the cold-water-supply-pump, tanks for the elevator services, were supplied by Baker, Smith & Co. The heating is by direct radiation, the Detroit improved radiators being used, and the work in its entirety represents a model arrangement for perfect steam-heating, for which Baker, Smith & Co. are noted.

J. J. Wade of 837 West Madison street has completed an excellent job of plumbing and gas-fitting in this building. Fir excellency of finish and great attention to all details his work cannot be excelled.

The elevator is at once the servant and master of high buildings, and in one selection among the various makers great care is exercised by the owners of large structures. In this instance, as in nearly all our important structures, Hale’s hydraulic elevator was selected, and two of these safe and powerful elevators, combining all the latest improvements, are being placed in the building.

The entire painting, decorating, and stained glass, which in a building of this size is a large contract, was entrusted to H. J. Milligan of Randolph street. Here it must be said that this class of work, hardly gives a fair scope of the artist, whose pure decorations and artistic work may be seen in many stores and private houses. The work has been conducted in a masterly way and presents many attractive features.

Independents of the steam-heating, the offices are furnished with fire grates, ornamented with very stylish marble mantels manufactured by R. Burkhard, at his steam marble and grate works on Kingsbury street.

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Dearborn Street looking north from Adams showing “The Fair” and the Adams Express Building and showing the Crilly Building at the northeast corner of Dearborn and Monroe. About 1884.

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Inter Ocean, November 9, 1884

The Adams Express Building, the notable new office structure on the east aide of Dearborn street next to the southeast corner of Monroe, is now in such a forward state of completion that tenants are moving into it, and negotiators for the accommodations not bespoken for are taking time by the forelock. Representing as this edifice does an expenditure of some quarter of a million dollars, and representing also the fairest type of commercial architecture, the following account of some of its principal points of interest is obviously timely, the more so as the political excitement has cooled somewhat from fever heat, and the eyes of citizens begin to find satisfaction in something else besides election bulletins.

In outward appearance the great building under consideration must be voted by every. body the moat impressive on all Dearborn street. The height—nine stories—surpasses neighborhood competition, and the width (100 feet) and depth (131 feet) fill in the generous outline. Nor is tho impressiveness of size the chief characteristic, nor the great front is as effectively treated by the distinguished architect, Mr. George H. Edbrooke, as it is massive. The ground floor and first floor walls are of the costly Connecticut brown stone, which has a brilliant chocolate color, and the rough ashlar work shows off the stone to the best advantage. The main entrance is in the center ot the street frontage, and has a semi circular arch overhead of dimensions and beauty that make this the most noble doorway to any building in Chicago. Forming this arch are neat undressed blocks of Connecticut stone, cut in the faces of which, in letters of gold, is the name of the building. Beginning at the second floor the walls rise solidly in the finest of pressed brick, and this material is set off, and its bright and uniform line enhanced by a few courses of Connecticut stone, and by some handsome ornaments in iron. The ample windows have square caps, and some of them iron or stone settings and all are filled with the best glass. Indeed, the most casual glance at the outside ot the building, whether you look at the front, the wide alley on the south, or the remarkable area of the court in the rear (this glass domed court and that of the adjoining building having fully the width on the street), shows that better lighted offices must be hunted for long and far. Iron girders are used throughout the building, and the fire proofing is most thorough, every celling and floor being made impregnable by James John’s method, which is regarded as the safest fire proofing known; indeed, in consequence of the thorough protection the fire insurance is secured at one half rates. Every room is supplied with the mercurial alarm. The cornice of pressed brick is prominent and lastly admired.

Passing within the great entrance by the middle one of three passageways, formed by two stately supporting shafts of polished granite, the visitor has the satisfaction of walking on the same level aa the sidewalk right to the elevator entrance. The passageway to the right leads directly to the stone steps, which are wide and easy of ascent, and are continued by the same character of staircase to the top of the building, there being also a broad and convenient stairway, at the rear of the building, entered from the alley. Solid oak is the material of both the front and rear stairways. Taking the passage-way to the left, yon enter immediately the great banking office comprising the main floor. This noble space—more brilliantly lighted than any bank in the city—is now undivided, but can be cut into two, with vaults and every convenience, There are two passenger elevators. fitted up in the moat complete manner; indeed, the building unquestionably has the best elevator service in the city, the transit being as smooth as it is rapid. The hallways, whether one ascends to the highest or lower levels, are uniformly generous, and have been made the lighter by the annexation of space that by the hand of a less liberal management would have been converted into offices. There is not a poorly lighted room in the building, and the ventilation is as exceptionally superior as is the illumination, no pains nor expense having been spared to secure this result. The plumbing is as first-class as the most approved modern appliances can make it. On every floor are supplied toilet accommodations for both gentlemen and ladies. In all respects, whether in wood-work, mantels, or other finishing, interior or exterior, there is evidenced the same genuineness and thoroughness of construction, and

The Multiplying Inquiry
for offices in the Adams Express Building attests their character as the most desirable in the city, and at the same time very reasonable in rents. The accommodations are as varied as they are superior, there being large and small suites and single offices. While no line of business is likely to predominate to the exclusion of others, it is apparent, that lawyers will secure quarters in increasing numbers here, induced at once by the fortunate location and the marked conveniences and inducements offered. Among other tenants who have made leases may be mentioned the following as examples. not including negotiations more recently concluded and outers pending: The Adams Express Company take the south half of the ground floor; the Home Life Insurance Company, second floor: Mexican Central Railway, second floor: The Current, third floor; G. H. Shaw & Co., third floor; the Michigan Central Railroad offices, the entire fourth floor; the Louisville. New Albany, and Chicago (Monon Route) offices, the entire fifth floor; Dupee. Judah & Willard, lawyers: Godfrey & Godfrey, real estate; Wilcox & Godfrey, publishers.

Regarding unoccupied offices in the building, application may be made to A. J. Cooper Larson, 180 Dearborn street.

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Inter Ocean, November 9, 1884

ADAMS’ EXPRESS OFFICES.
Will You Look In?
The Chicago offices of Adams’ Express Company will be located tn the south half of the ground floor, and when entirely completed they will be as finely equipped as commodious. There are three vaults of the solidest description, the light from both front and side is fine, the heating is by steam, and the office portion proper is being very handsomely finished in oak. The excellent service of this pioneer express company being well known, their business steadily increased, and so very largely that for some time they were on the lookout for adequate office accommodations, and finally determined to construct a building for themselves, and certainly it is one that is a credit and an honor to the company and the city in which it is erected. The prominent location and the greatness of the edifice express the standing and development of this old yet ever young corporation, which gives accommodations to the public that for promptness and every satisfaction can not be improved. A year ago last June the company extended its service over all the lines of the Pittsburg, Cincinnati and St Louis Railway south, southeast and southwest of Chicago, so that In addition to their main line of the Pennsylvania and fort Wayne Road, over which they have operated for so long a period, they have gained this far reaching highway of trade, forming the direct route to all points in the South. The Western department under the administration of Colonel L. C. Weir, of Cincinnati, whose efficient management is well known to all expressmen and the public generally. Mr Henry Bimple is in charge of the second division, including the Chicago office, Mr. Wm. W. Chandler, being agent. The depot of the Adams Express Company is at No. 2 West Madison street, where the accommodations nave recently been greatly enlarged.

THE CURRENT.
A Sanctum Worthy Of It.
The north half of the third floor is occupied by The Current, Mr. Wakeman’s splendid publication, which is, with its accustomed enterprise, at home in advance of all other occupants, in a suite of four large and elegant offices, all the appointments of which are in keeping with the assured permanency and brilliant success of a literary enterprise which is an honor and a credit to the West. Inside of forty-seven weeks a subscription and news-dealer circulation of 25,700 has been secured, and there are only 125 counties in the United States where The Current has no subscribers. It is now being sold on the news-stands of upward of 300 American cities. The Current has also, for a young periodical, an important circulation in Europe and Canada. During the period of publication as much printed matter has appeared in The Current as in Harper’s Weekly and the Atlantic Monthly combined, and twice as many contributors have been represented each month in its combined weekly issues as in any other periodical extant. It has now upward of 600 contributors. Among these are a larger number of distinguished writers than have ever previously contributed to any single periodical in the world. All doubt regarding its literary and financial success at the outset, considering the important nature of the venture, has long since been dissipated, its steady growth in popularity being proportionate to the knowledge which the public have hod from time to time of the thorough and great care that have been riven in advance to all details of publication. Certainly the Current Company, and not the least so Mr. Edgar L. Wakeman. the editor and conductor, are to be congratulated both on their handsome new offices and the distinguished and deserved success of their unrivaled publication.

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Chicago Tribune, April 22, 1934

Holabird & Root are the architects of the above $300,000 two story “taxpayer” to be erected by the Brooks interests at the southeast corner of Monroe and Dearborn. The seven story Guardian Bank building and the eleven story Adams Express Company building are both to be wrecked. The new structure will be flood lighted, air conditioned, and acoustically treated. R. C. Wilkins of Aldis & Co. will be renting manager of the new building. A. R. Clas made this prospective.

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Adams Express Building
Robinson Fire Map
1886

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Adams Express Building
Sanborn Fire Map
1906

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