Marquette Building, Chicago

Much like a well-fitted slipcover on a sofa, the Marquette, erected in 1895, conceals its structural steel frame beneath a clean, geometric facade. While its base showcases roughly cut stone and an ornate cornice crowns its summit, the majority of the building reflects the framework upon which it was constructed. All the offices, aligning with the building's arms, have a window either facing the street or the light well. This design, combined with the structural and aesthetic wall treatment, ensures abundant natural light within the interior.

Named in tribute to Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit priest and explorer, the building draws inspiration from his 1674–75 journal, which provided the first European description of Chicago's site. Owen F. Aldis, a real estate developer, amateur historian, and original owner, translated Marquette's journal in 1891, serving as the catalyst for the building's name and decorative theme. While exterior relief sculptures depict events related to Marquette's expedition, the intimate two-story lobby resembles a true jewel box. Shimmering bronze fixtures contrast with a Tiffany glass mosaic portraying the adventures of the French missionary while, nearby, bronze reliefs above the elevator doors depict French explorers and Native Americans. If you continue through the lobby, you'll find an exhibition on the structure's history and recent restoration, sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation, a prominent tenant.

Architects Holabird and Roche, who first met as draftsmen in the office of pioneering skyscraper designer William L. B. Jenney, established their firm in the early 1880s. Renowned for their work in the Chicago commercial style, they left an indelible mark on this edifice.