Why Chicago Razed The First Skyscraper | The Field Building

The Field Building, now known as the LaSalle Bank Building, stands as an iconic landmark in the heart of Chicago's Loop. Completed in 1934, it was originally named after Marshall Field, the renowned department store magnate. Designed by the architectural firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, the Field Building quickly became a symbol of modernity and progress with its striking Art Deco design and towering presence. At the time of its completion, it was one of the tallest buildings in the city. Over the years, it has undergone several name changes due to changes in ownership, but its architectural significance and historical prominence have endured, making it an integral part of Chicago's skyline and cultural heritage.
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IT’S HISTORY - Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
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Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[@bobholtzmann]

It should be clarified that the architect of the Marshall Field Warehouse is Henry Hobson Richardson, and not Daniel Burnham. It was one of the few Chicago buildings greatly admired by Louis Sullivan. I knew my Architectural Education would come in handy someday.

[@ronsbookreview1010]

I worked in this building as a security guard for LaSalle Bank starting in 2001, and left before BOA took over. I have so many memories about this amazing building. I was the third shift supervisor and knew this building up and down. It was supposed to be haunted, but in the time I was there I had never seen a single ghost. The lack of a 13th floor was always fun because I'd haze new officers by sending them to do a door opening on the 13th floor and wait for them to come down to command in confusion. The fire was a difficult time for us, most of the security and maintenance staff had to be transferred to the ABN AMRO Plaza at 540 W Madison for a time until we were all allowed back in. The place smelled of smoke and mold from water damage for months. The building was fitted with a state of the art sprinkler system though, including in the vault which was a pain because I was among countless security people who had to escort the construction crews. I haven't been there in 14 years since I left. Seeing this video has made me nostalgic, it's made me decide to pay the old place a visit. Thank you for posting this.

[@Jude74]

To be fair it had a slightly musty smell that dated back to the flood of 1992.

[@stephenmoerlein8470]

What a beautiful art deco building; happy to see that it has survived the passage of time. The lavish materials used in construction would only have been possible pre-depression. Interesting that architects and engineers did not include fire protection. Maybe such expensive safety precautions are only affordable when required by building codes?

[@rbrachmann]

I worked in the downtown of Chicago (Loop) area and LOVED the architecture. From the rehab of Marshall Fields entrance, the development of the Pier, and rehab of the Oriental (Ford) theatre and others in the theatre area, I've loved, and lived, through it all. I have two favorites. The Monadnock Building, 53 West Jackson Boulevard, a 16-story skyscraper built by the firm of Burnham & Root and built starting in 1891. It is the tallest load-bearing brick building (no steel frame or elevator at the time). Walls at ground level are about 4-6 feet thick. Second is the Bankers Building or the Clark Adams Building, 105 West Adams Street. A neoclassical 41 story skyscraper designed by the Burnham Brothers. Began in 1926 and completed in 1927. A major renovation reveals a very ornate lobby and staircase hidden for decades behind drywall (assuming I'm not confusing it with another Chicago skyscraper);

[@Konnersaki]

Awesome comment I’m in the loop almost every day I will most definitely be checking out the sites you mentioned! I absolutely love this city despite its flaws I really believe it’s one of the best in the country!

[@Octavia680]

I’d love to see a It’s History of the old Cook County Hospital.

[@stephenmoerlein8470]

Also paired with history of the now-demolished Michael Reese Hospital, including several buildings by Bauhaus architect Walter Gropius.

[@vincenthprice2260]

Another historic learning video love Art deco architecture, definition, and character better than today’s buildings. Keep up the good work.

[@ITSHISTORY]

More to come!

[@cargogh]

Now I'm 60 and thought I'd known for 40 years that I really liked Art Deco best of era/styles. I love seeing pics of modern buildings with Model-Ts parked outside. (Of course, there were several sleek vehicles by 1924 too.) I'm still good with Art Deco interiors. On favorite ext. architecture, I drew the line at right at the edge of Art Moderne. "Depression Era Art Deco" That's the style I've always preferred. Somehow, I've never heard this term, but I am on Aricept. Thanks as always for entertaining and teaching.

[@edholmwood2263]

Great video Ryan. Thank you.

[@ITSHISTORY]

My pleasure!

[@mkervelegan]

One of my favorite Chicago skyscrapers, down to the elegant Cartier appointments in the lobby. The beautiful marbles always make me want a latte with their color and texture so reminiscent of that beverage. Ryan tells the story of his city with much erudition and really puts his heart into it.

[@stanleysapyta8928]

I used to work at the Lasalle Bank building and also Harris Bank (across the alley) as a janitor and was there vaccuming water out of the elevator shafts the night it caught fire. One fireman told me they dumped over 1Million gallons of water. In the upcoming weeks we were cleaning up everything. I also remember watching fireworks from the 43 floor ballroom and 44th floor executive suites and balconys. Beautiful building.

[@Mr.Guild1971]

That View into the elevator room is Mesmerizing , so beautiful

[@TheMichaelnolan]

You should do one on the Drake Hotel! Love all the ones on Chicago!

[@HighHolyOne]

I wondered where this building was. Then with the interior, lobby shot, i realized, "LaSalle National Bank!" I had an account there for years, and LOVED the building simply for the lobby floor. Never knew of the Marshall Field involvement.

[@wapartist]

I work in architecture. The significance of getting away from load bearing masonry and using steel to hold loads cant be overstated

[@ntatenarin]

I think it would be cool if someone recreated the Home Insurance Building somewhere else in Chicago. It can be an office building and a tourist site as people will visit to see what the first modern skyscraper was like!

[@johnkeviljr9625]

Art Deco and Art Moderne architecture is/are wonderful.

[@gino9895]

Great video.

[@ITSHISTORY]

Thanks!

[@WyteXLighting]

The field building looks awsome 1 of a kind

[@jamesvezina9886]

Very good video about great building with modern features new in 1930s including air conditioning I don’t understand first to use alternating electric current I saw that statement before I thought AC current was standard for electric distribution since before 1900 Direct current loses its power over distances Alternating keeps voltage for large distribution Thank you for video

[@Blakelloyd-ng5ir]

cool vid!

[@UR_Right24]

It's a shame they tore down the Home Insurance Building. Seems like an important historical landmark, not just for the city of Chicago, but for the world as well, as it was considered the first skyscraper, and there have been thousands of skyscrapers built all over the world in every major city since 1883, and Chicago had the first one? Seems like something they should have had the foresight to keep.

[@jamesleyda365]

A video on the Kalakala art deco ferry would be a great video👍 if it hasn't been made yet. I don't believe it has

[@daveweiss5647]

The Kalakala! I was extremely sad when it was destroyed....

[@daveweiss5647]

The Kalakala! I was extremely sad it was destroyed! Would have made an amazing floating museum or Casino....

[@dalecaldwell]

The Auditorium Building had a form of air condioning forty years earlier. I think a very interesting competitor for the Field Building is Hood's RCA Building in Rockefelle Center. The RCA has the advantage of the Plaza for viewing, while the Field is pretty well closed in. Thanks for another interesting video.

[@tonyringtail]

This building has so much art deco work that it looks very similar to the empire state building. Were there any designers that shared both projects?

[@johnkrueger3287]

I completely agree

[@rbrachmann]

There's a great book called 'Lost Chicago ' with photos and brief histories on buildings that no longer exist.

[@mr.pickles810]

If your from the midway airport area 65th street used to be filled with art deco factories very little still around. Some were similar in brick color to the crysler village

[@davidf2477]

Pictures don't do the building justice. When in Chicago, it's worth taking an art Deco tour with the Chicago Architecture Center and visiting these buildings. It's money very well spent.

[@chrisgobeil4751]

We did the water Architecture tour last year when we were there, was awesome to see the city that way, we stayed just a few blocks from this building.

[@joegordon5117]

I love the term "artificial weather" instead of aircon, perhaps we should bring it back!

[@nowacurmudgeon]

Any chance you could do a story about the Jewelers Building at 35 E. Wacker?

[@bruceguttman3516]

I'd like to point out that the Cooper Union Foundation Building, built in 1854 in New York City,, used the same steel frame construction and could be considered the first "skyscraper" although the building was only 5 stories (expanded to 7). Otherwise, very interesting video.

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

A skyscraper displays its steel frame on the exterior. The oldest one is actually the Wainwright building in St. Louis ⚜️

[@rutheliz75]

Please consider a video about the PSFS building in Philadelphia .

[@jetsons101]

Hmmmmm The four-engine aircraft used by the Continental Can Company (16:41) looks like a repurposed WWII B-24 Liberator bomber. Thanks to Ryan for keeping history alive...

[@ddial1982]

Why did the vid switch to condensing units when speaking of “A/C power”? Did someone confuse alternating current with air conditioning?

[@doughayden]

Even better news ... the building has been approved for Adaptive Reuse and will be converted into Appartments and a Hotel!

[@daveweiss5647]

Bizarre that they didn't connect it to the freight tunnels...especially given they also carried utilities and could be used for climate control... I have been obsessed with the Chicago freight tunnels over the years... a shame they were not kept in use...

[@RBMD2A]

Nice

[@4g63attack]

I would be impressed if the original A/C equipment is still being used, the elevators should still be original to the build.

[@Mk99987]

The title says “ razed”. That means demolished. The Field Building is still standing. Also, why do you give dimensions in square meters? The US is not on the metric system.

[@gregpendrey6711]

Him not from USA. Multiply by 3 for meter to feet. Multiply by 10 for sq. meter to sq. feet. That helps me in a pinch. We knew we would be in this situation when we chickened out 50 years ago and did not switch after much ado. Stupid looking back. At least we drive on the correct side of the street. Haha.

[@naughtiusmaximus830]

I think the US converted to metric in 1974. Nobody followed it.

[@Gizathecat2]

@@gregpendrey6711Learn the metric system!

[@jasondiaz8431]

Learn metric time. ​@@Gizathecat2

[@Jude74]

Now, when you walk in, it smells like old basement. Ever since the flood of 1992 older buildings with flooded sub-basements smell musty.

[@michaelhurley3171]

Destroyed to hide the original builders! Just like so much Tartarian architecture, especially the Worlds Fair buildings.

[@Jipper1984]

History:)

[@stickynorth]

I'm only sad when historical buildings are demo'd for inferior projects. Not the case here... This like the case for 30 Rock shows you as long as you build back something better, few people generally are against progress... Penn Station swapped for MSG in NYC, aside! ;-)

[@timklein3962]

A great Chicago fire; and then the industrialists move in with their building projects;

[@jack_dagnel]

Suspicions… I think not

[@Chitown2586]

Should’ve never been raised.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Looks in mirror.

[@poochettino]

i was razed in chicago

[@knaudi86]

You were burned to the ground in Chicago?

[@stickynorth]

@@knaudi86 I've seen the news, it's very common.. They don't call it ChIraq for nothing! ;-)

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

I’m glad they did because now St. Louis has the oldest standing skyscraper in the world ⚜️👌

[@terencehill2320]

You're not funny

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

@@terencehill2320 I'm not being funny. It's called the Wainwright building, look it up.

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

@@terencehill2320I’m not being funny, it’s called the Wainwright building. Look it up if you don’t believe me.

[@naughtiusmaximus830]

Wow! Chicago pre-bolshevik. Looks nice!

[@michaelwhite2823]

Oh the lobby is beautiful. I've mostly worked in late 50s and early 60s buildings. Bleh.

[@knaudi86]

Only sociopaths wear baseball caps with nothing on them.

[@Chsoxrk]

I wear hats without logos all the time. I'm not a cow I don't need to be branded.

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

Damn, what he do to you?

[@HearTruth]

Masons the "builders" servants of the so called Royal Sovereign Elites" Col 3:6 Eph 6:12 merchants sea peoples learned men craftsmen since Egypt and Babylon Ecc 1:9

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

Thanks for the history lesson.

[@dawnreneegmail]

Thanks for making my hometown history juicy to digest, thanks Ryan!!

[@RetroEli82]

Great video

[@ITSHISTORY]

Thanks for the visit