Carbide & Carbon Building, Chicago

The Carbide & Carbon Building stands as a dazzling testament to the opulence and grandeur of the 1920s. Commissioned by the Carbide and Carbon Company, which was renowned for developing the first dry cell battery, this striking skyscraper was designed by the Burnham Brothers and completed in 1929. The building’s exterior exudes a sense of luxury with its polished black granite, green and gold terra cotta, and gleaming gold leaf accents. Its Art Deco design is characterized by dramatic and lavish detailing, setting it apart on Chicago's skyline.

The lobby of the Carbide & Carbon Building is a quintessential example of the period's extravagance, featuring frosted glass fixtures and Belgian marble. Originally intended to showcase the company’s products, the lobby remains an impressive introduction to the building’s opulent character. At the top, the building’s cap is adorned with genuine 24-karat gold, though it is incredibly thin—only one five-thousandths of an inch thick—adding a touch of understated luxury.

Despite its early promise, the building's expansion plans were halted by the market crash of 1929, and a planned sister structure was never realized. In 1994, the Carbide & Carbon Building was landmarked, and in 2004, it underwent a significant $106 million restoration. Following its sale to a realty company, it was transformed into the Hard Rock Hotel, continuing to stand out as one of the most unique and historic structures in Chicago's architectural landscape.