Reliance Building, Chicago

The Reliance Building represents a significant milestone in architectural history, blending innovative design with practical needs. Commissioned by real estate investor and elevator entrepreneur William Hale, the building was designed by the renowned architectural duo Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root. The project encountered an unusual challenge: a pre-existing structure occupied by tenants on the upper floors. To address this, the contractor ingeniously lifted the upper floors of the existing building and demolished the lower sections, allowing the foundation for the new 14-story Reliance Building to be constructed beneath.

Following Root's death in 1891, Charles Atwood, brought in by Burnham, completed the building's design. The Reliance Building was finished in 1895, showcasing an innovative combination of glass and white glazed terra cotta on its facade. This material choice was driven by the belief that the smooth, self-cleaning surface would minimize maintenance by allowing dirt to wash away naturally in the rain. Although this notion proved less practical in the long run, it resulted in a strikingly luminous and hygienic appearance that symbolized modernity and cleanliness.

The building’s design featured large glass windows that flooded the interior with natural light, creating an ideal environment for the medical professionals who occupied its spaces. The ample daylight facilitated better visibility for medical examinations, while the white terra cotta exterior projected a clean and sanitary image, reinforcing the building’s purpose as a hub for doctors and dentists.