Reid, Murdoch & Co. Building

Click for Larger View     Address: 320 N. Clark St.
Year Built: 1914
Architect: George C. Nimmons
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark:
November 15, 1976

Tower Covering Water Tank Combining elements of both the Chicago and Prairie schools of architecture, this is one of the city's finest examples of industrial design and a rare reminder of the type of buildings that once lined the Chicago River. Built as a warehouse and office building for a wholesale grocery company, it was one of the first designs to respond to the 1909 Plan for Chicago's goal for riverfront redevelopment: docking facilities are recessed at the water level, while a promenade extends at street level. A bold Chicago School-style exterior highlights the building's steel-and-concrete supporting frame, which is further enhanced by excellent brickwork and terra-cotta details. A central tower provides a strong counterpoint to the general horizontality of the structure, making this one of the best-known buildings along the Chicago River.

Fenestration Detail

Prairie School
The Loop
 
1.View, circa 1914
2.Tower Covering Water Tank, photo by Barbara Crane
3.Fenestration Detail, photo by Barbara Crane