Memory Building, Omaha Building (addition), Exchange Building
Life Span: 1884-1913
Location: Southeast corner LaSalle and Van Buren
Architect: John M. Van Osdel
Inter Ocean, February 21, 1886
For $250,000, on Pacific avenue, fifty feet south of Van Buren street, west front, 50-3/4×101 feet, improved, with leasehold in 50×30 feet adjoining on corner, with buildings. Henry Memory to The Exchange Building and Safety-Vault Company. This is a reorganization.
Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1886
An offer of $325,000 has been made for the Exchange Building, corner of Pacific avenue and Van Buren street, with Jenks property adjoining, recently bought for $100,000 by Mr. Memory, but it was declined,a nd the plan now is to begin this spring the erection of the addition to the Exchange Building on the Jenks lot.
Inter Ocean, Nay 23, 1886
Latest Building Permits.
Architect J. M. Van Osdel & Co., for Henry Memory, $115,000, brick and stone office building at 134-36 Van Buren; Anton Carlson, builder.
Memory Building
Van Osdel’s Accounting Book, 1884
Omaha Building
Van Osdel’s Accounting Book, 1886
Rand McNally’s Bird’s Eye Views of Chicago, 1893
④ The Omaha Building
At the southeast corner of Van Buren and Pacific Avenue, is a fine building, in which trade papers find light and agreeable quarters. It fronts 90 feet on Van Buren Street and 80 feet on Pacific Avenue, is 80 feet high, and has 7 stories and basement, with 6 stores, 65 offices, and 2 passenger elevators. The exterior is of brick, steel, and terra cotta. Other occupants are ice companies and manufacturers’ agents. Erected in 1884.
1908 Chicago Central Business and Office Building Directory
Chicago Tribune, May 26, 1912
Big Hotel Project.
The LaSalle Hotel syndicate is behind the (Fort Dearborn) hotel project as released from Joseph D. Oliver, trustee of the James Oliver estate of South Bend, the ground, which fronts 101 feet in La Salle street, and 100 feet in Van Buren.
The lot is now occupied with a seven story and basement store and office building known as the Omaha building, the name having been given it at the time it belonged to former Congressman McShane of Omaha. It will be razed soon to make place for the hotel, which will be a fifteen story, steel construction fireproof building. It is expected to cost about $1,000,000 and the plans are now being prepared by Holabird & Roche.
Greeley-Carlson Company’s Atlas of Chicago
1891
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
1906
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