Metropolitan Block

Metropolitan Block, Quincy Block
Life Span: 1872-1923
Location: Randolph nw. cor LaSalle
Architect: TBD

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1874

Metropolitan Blk.

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1884
Metropolitan Blk.—159 to 165 Randolph

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1904
Metropolitan Blk.—161 and 163 Randolph

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1911
Metropolitan Blk.—154 W Randolph

Chicago Weekly Post, October 10, 1872

METROPOLITAN BLOCK.
The re-erection of Metropolitan Hall, one of the old land-marks of Chicago, was hailed with satisfaction by all. It stands now completed, a far better and handsomer building than before. Its dimensions are 80 feet on Randolph by 180 on La Salle street. The Buene Vista and Constitution stone are the material of which its fronts are constructed, the colors of each being blended by its construction into a very plensant as well as original appearance. Its height is four stories. Brown stone steps give, easy access to the basement, which is built so high as almost to constitute an additional story.

Rand McNally’s Birds’ Eye Views of Chicago, 1893

⑬ The Metropolitan Block.
Before the Great Fire, was conspicuous as Library Hall. It is a 5-story stone front of the year 1872, at the northwest corner of Randolph and La Salle. with 200 feet on the latter street and 80 feet on Randolph. There are 2 elevators, 106 offices, and 8 stores. for brokers, agents, publishers, and small firms.

Inter Ocean, August 22, 1913

Historic Metropolitan Block Site at West Randolph and North LaSalle Streets Sold by A. McKay.
A merger of the fee and leasehold interest in the land under the Metropolitan block at the northwest corner of Weat Randolph and North La Salle streets, 80x 181 feet, was consummated yesterday. in the purchase of the property by Karl and Emil Eitel from Alexander A. McKay.
The consideration was not disclosed.

In October 1910, the Eitels leased the ground for a period of ninety-nine years and seven months, at a rental of $50,009 a year, equivalent to 4 per cent on a leasing value of $759,000, which is a: the rate of 19,375 a foot for the Randolph street frontage and $4,166 a foot for the frontage of La Salle street. When this lease was negotiated the intention was to erect a hotel or office building at a cost of approximately $1,500,000, but the improvement was not then undertaken because of the delay in the construction of the La Salle street tunnel.

The Metropolitan block is one of the best known properties in Chicago, famous as a landmark prior to the great fire. located in what was it one time the most important financial, business and social center of the city. In 1862 the corner 80x 100 feet was purchased by Wesley Munger for $72,000 and he also acquired eighty-one feet at the north in 1864 for $50,030, making a total of $122,000 for land, which now sells at around $750,330.

Chicago Tribune, November 7, 1915

18 Story Hotel Planned.
Schmidt, Garden & Martin are said to have made preliminary sketches for an eighteen-story hotel to be erected at Randolph and LaSalle streets on the present site of the present Metropolitan block. The property belongs to the Eitels, owners of the Bismarck.

Chicago Tribune, April 29, 1924

Frederick T. Hoyt & Co. moved yesterday from the Metropolitan block, La Salle and Randolph, which wreckers are tearing down to make way for the new Burnham building, to quarters across the street in the La Fayette building, 138 North La Salle.

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