Methodist Book Concern,
Life Span: 1899-1990-
Location: Near Northwest Corner State and Washington Streets, Part of Block 37
Architect: Harry B. Wheelock
Chicago Tribune, September 23, 1898
TO ERECT TEN-STORY BUILDING
Western Methodist Book Concern to Put Up a $150,000 Structure on Its Washington Street Property.
The Western Methodist Book Concern has decided to erect a ten-story building on its property, 57 Washington street, on plans by Harry B. Wheelock.
A special meeting of the general officers will be held in Cincinnati next Monday to accept plans. The cost of the new building will be about $150,000.
Chicago Tribune, October 26, 1898
BOOK CONCERN’S NEW BUILDING
Methodist Company to Erect a $160,000 Structure Adjoining the A. T. Stewart Block.
An eleven-story skyscraper is to be erected next spring by the Western Methodist Book concern, in Washington street, adjoining the twelve-story A. T. Stewart Building. It will be directly opposite the Reliance Building, and only a short distance from the Columbus Memorial Building. When the structure is completed the corner will be abie to boast a cluster of skyscrapers almost as imposing as lower Dearborn street.
The new building will combine externally several features of the Venetian and the Tacoma Buildings. It will be of steel construction, finished in white brick. The striking points of its architecture are the two bay windows adorning the front, and the single bay window on the east side, toward the Stewart Building, running to the tenth story. The cornice and iron work of the front will be ornamental. The building is to cost $160.000. Work on it will be begun next spring.
Chicago Tribune, October 25, 1973
By Paul Gapp
Urban affairs editor
The Landmarks Preservation Council has asked city officials to con- sider saving four 19th Century buildings in a north Loop area proposed for urban renewal and partial demolition.
All the structures are in the block bounded by Randolph, Washington, State, and Dearborn Streets.
They are:
- The Springer Block-a stretch of small buildings on the west side of State Street, reaching southward from the corner of Randolph Street. The council said the buildings are “of exceptional quality” for the period, apparently due to remodeling work by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler in the late 1800s. They give continuity to State Street retail history, and if revitalized could be of great value to State and Randolph as a regular retail and entertainment center.”
Unity Building-137 Dearborn St. “The only office building by Clinton Warren, the famous hotel architect, and once one of the biggest and most famous buildings In Chicago,” the council said.
McCarthy Building (also known as the Landfield Building>-the northeast corner of Dearborn and Washington Streets. “Designed by John M. Van Osdel, it is one of the few surviving buildings downtown dating from 1872, the year after the great fire. A fine example of the style of the period Very interesting in its juxtaposition to Civic Center plaza and nearby buildings,” the council said.
Methodist Publishing House– now known as the Stop-and-Shop warehouse, 12 W. Washington St. The council said it was designed by Otis L. Wheelock and is “a nice example of the bay window variant of the Chicago , enhanced with Sullivanesque orna- ment.”
None of the buildings have been designated an architectural landmark by the city.
THIE COUNCIL, a private organization, made its plea to save the building in a letter to Lewis W. Hill, the city s urban renewal commissioner. It suggested a small governmental committee be formed to study the buildings.
A federal environmental impact statement will be required if the city moves ahead with the renewal project, the council said. Such statements must include an evaluation of architecturally important buildings.
An undetermined number of buildings would be torn down and the cleared land sold to developers for construction of housing, office, and other structures in an irregularly shaped six-block renewal area.
Hill said it will take six months to complete a feasibility study of the -dollar project.
Methodist Book Concern
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
1906
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