Gaff Building
Life Span: 1884-1920
Location: 230 S. LaSalle street
Architect:: Stephen V. Shipman
Gaff Building, 1884-1920, was at 230 S. LaSalle street, on the site of the present Federal Reserve Bank building. It was nine stories high, with a high basement, on spread foundations. Stephen V. Shipman was the architect.
Inter Ocean, April 19, 1885
THE GAFF BUILDING.
Yet More Richness.
In the Gaff Building, fronting eastward on LaSalle street, midway in the first block north of the new Board of Trade building, another notable ornament is added to this neighborhood, already so remarkable for the lofty new office castles that environ the great palace of commerce. In material the Goff has gray granite in the ground-floor wall, and the finest quality of Anderson pressed brick, with granite dressing in the walls above. The cornice and the high arched entrance with granite buttresses and supporting pillars emphasize the tine appearance of the building, which consists of ten stories and a basement. Entrances to the elevators are provided on the sidewalk level and on either side of the principal entrance. The stairway ascends by easy iron steps from as pleasing and large a court—floored with encaustic tile like the corridors throughout the building—as one would wish to see, and the elevators are rapid and elegant. In the interior there is every accommodation and advantage known to office architecture, including absolute fire-proofing, and the rooms are models of light, ventilation, and easy accessibility to the Board of Trade, for whose particular advantage these choice tiers of offices have been reared, and are rapidly being appropriated against the entire finishing and occupation of the building on May 1. Messrs. Wm. D. Kerfoot & Co., No.90 Washington street, are writing leases daily for new occupants, and plans and further particulars may be commanded at their office. Mr. S. Y. Shipman was the architect.
The Wight Fire-proofing Company have fortified the building against fire to that degree that really it might just as well be uninsured.
There are two of Crane Bros best elevators in the Gaff Building, which is thus assured an elevator service the safest, most efficient, and most certain known. Their speed is equal to their other advantages, which include that most popular new appliance for easy and instant control, the standard hand-lever in the car, as also the fire-proof, anti-grease lubricant on the guides.
The best plumbing is a fine art, and to Foskett & Brown, No. 165 Adams street, is due the title of artists for their very superior plumbing and gas-fitting in the Gaff Building. Also they supplied the gas fixtures.
The marble mantels of the entire building, as also the handsome marble decorations of the entrance were supplied by Messrs. Sherman & Flavin, from their well-known headquarters for everything in the marble line, No. 341 Wabash av.
The hardwood throughout was made by the W. E. Frost Manufacturing Company.
The Concrete Illuminating Tile Company, Quincy and Clinton streets, supplied the floor lights.
The Hallowell & Bodwell Granite Companies contracted for the granite of the entrance, etc.
There are sixty fire-proof vaults, all placed by the Hall Safe and Lock Company.
W. E Prost & Co. furnished the hard wood.
Knisely & Miller put in the galvanized iron skylight.
The mason was George Lehman.
Rand McNally Bird’s Eye Views of Chicago, 1893
⑦ The Gaff Building is a 9-story steel structure with a frontage of 80 feet and but 60 feet deep, uniting the Mailers and Counselman buildings on La Salle Street, at Nos. 230-36. Here are 2 fine elevators, mail-chute, marble stairs, and nearly 100 attractive offices. Erected in 1884 at a cost of $275,000. It is occupied prinipally by grain commission merchants.
Gaff Building
Robinson Fire Insurance Map
1886
Gaff Building
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
1906
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