Singer Building II, also known as Field Leiter III
Life Span: 1878-1905
Location: State and Washington Streets
Architect:
After a fire in 1877 destroyed the first Singer Building, Singer almost immediately started to rebuild. While Field and Leiter were still operating at the Exposition Building on Michigan Avenue, they did want to return to their prime State Street location. However, Singer demanded $700,000 for the building and Leiter refused to pay over $500,000. Leiter felt that Singer would not get a better offer. He was wrong.
There were rumors of New York establishments such as Arnold Constable and Lord and Taylor were interested in the building, but one deal did happen. The industrious Scotchmen from Amboy, Illinois who headed the firm of Carson, Pirie and Company signed a lease. Field was in New York during this time, but returned in time to thwart the plan. He upbraided Leiter for not carrying through the plan for moving back to State Street. At the conclusion of the fuss and fury, Field and Leiter got the store, but they had to pay not only the $700,000, the Singer officials asked for, but an additional bonus of $100,000 to Carson and Pirie to give up their lease.
By April, 1879, customers were lining up to another Field and Leiter State Street store. Two years later, Marshall Field bought out Levi Leiter and the first Marshall Field and Company store was christened.
Singer Building II
State Street – Singer Building on far right
About 1879
Chicago Tribune, November 24, 1897
Commissioner McGann has called the attention of the Law department to the complaint filed in his office by Alderman Coughlin against the large clock being erected in front of Marshall Field & Co.’s store at State and Washington streets. Commissioner McGann requests the Law department to supply him with an opinion as to whether or not there is anything in the city ordinances forbidding the hanging of a heavy iron clock from the second story of a building. The clock which is causing the trouble is a large iron one, weighing about 500 pounds. It extends over the sidewalk about nine feet.
The original clock as shown in 1904 on the Singer Building II (1878-1905).
Chicago Tribune, November 24, 1897
Commissioner McGann has called the attention of the Law department to the complaint filed in his office by Alderman Coughlin against the large clock being erected in front of Marshall Field & Co.’s store at State and Washington streets. Commissioner McGann requests the Law department to supply him with an opinion as to whether or not there is anything in the city ordinances forbidding the hanging of a heavy iron clock from the second story of a building. The clock which is causing the trouble is a large iron one, weighing about 500 pounds. It extends over the sidewalk about nine feet.
Chicago Tribune, November 26, 1897
The immense clock, with four great dials, which has been erected at the corner of Marshall Field & Co.’s building at Washington and State streets is attracting much attention. It is almost cubical and is hung from the cornice at the second story by ornamental iron work. Projecting as it does, several feet clear of the building, it will be very conspicuous, especially at night when it is lighted from within. There is no scarcity of timekeepers along the busy thoroughfare.
In 1902, Daniel Burnham’s 13-story Beaux-Arts building went up next door at State and Randolph; its near-identical mate to the south (replacing the second Singer Building) followed in 1907. The original Marshall Field Clock can be seen installed on this building in both photographs.
Singer Building II
NE Corner State and Washington Streets
Robinson Fire Map 1886
Volume 3, Plate 9
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