A significant revitalization effort for the Field Building, an iconic Art Deco skyscraper in Chicago, is on the agenda of the city’s Commission on Chicago Landmarks’ Permit Review Committee this Thursday.
With the aim of transforming the historic structure located at 135 S. LaSalle St., the proposed improvements center around converting the first 14 floors from office spaces to residential and commercial use.
Additionally, the restoration plans include updating the building’s historic storefronts and replacing the mechanical penthouses on the setbacks with rooftop decks.
If the committee approves the plans, the next steps will involve obtaining approval from the landmarks commission and ultimately the City Council.
This process marks a pivotal moment in a larger $241 million initiative to repurpose the Field Building into a mixed-use property.
Sara Beardsley, an associate principal at SCB, the architecture firm overseeing the project’s renovation, emphasized the importance of this moment for both the building and the city’s aspirations for the La Salle Corridor Revitalization.
The La Salle Corridor Revitalization effort aims to breathe new life into a historically rich yet underutilized financial district, with a focus on creating vibrant communities with diverse living, working, and shopping spaces.
The Field Building, originally constructed in 1934 by Marshall Field’s estate and designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, stands as a stunning representation of Art Deco architecture.
The 44-story skyscraper features four corner towers rising from its base, with a striking limestone slab soaring to 535 feet.
Recognized as a protected Chicago landmark since 1994, the Field Building has faced challenges, including a virtual emptiness following the departure of its main tenant, Bank of America, in 2020.
Professor Thomas Leslie from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who authored “Chicago Skyscrapers, 1934-1986: How Technology, Politics, Finance, and Race Reshaped the City,” highlighted the building’s innovative design in response to the 1922 zoning code, which mandated natural ventilation for skyscrapers.
Leslie explained that while the upper floors utilized natural ventilation, the lower five floors were among the first to embrace mechanical air conditioning to cater to clients seeking relief from street noise and dirt.
Beardsley noted that the restoration will involve removing the large mechanical penthouses, helping to restore the Field Building to its original aesthetic.
She added that this transition from office to residential spaces is anticipated to result in lower energy consumption.
“Residential is less energy-intensive than office,” Beardsley stated, underscoring the upgrades aimed at improving insulation and energy efficiency within the building’s envelope.
The Field Building’s architectural excellence is often overshadowed by the celebrated Chicago Board of Trade Building, yet it rivals the latter in its detailed Art Deco design.
Hubbard, another SCB associate principal, affirmed the preservation of the building’s remarkable interiors, which are characterized by polished aluminum window frames, a black granite base, and elegant lobby spaces.
He described the detailing of these spaces as among the finest examples of Art Deco architecture, featuring white and rose-colored marbles alongside beautiful flooring.
Thomas Leslie acknowledged the Field Building as a high point of the design work by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, drawing parallels with the contemporaneous Merchandise Mart.
The comprehensive renovation plans are being orchestrated by SCB in collaboration with the building’s owners and developers: Riverside Investment Trust, DL3 Realty, and AmTrust RE from New York City.
Once completed, the ambitious redevelopment project will convert about half of the 1.4 million-square-foot building into 386 residential apartments along with new commercial offerings, such as a health club and grocery store.
To facilitate this extensive project, Chicago taxpayers will support the effort with $98 million in tax increment financing.
In addition to the renovation, plans for a new pedestrian entrance on LaSalle Street will also be presented to the Permit Review Committee.
Hubbard explained that the new entrance will feature a revolving door and vestibule, reminiscent of the original entrance when the building first opened in the early 1930s.
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