Marquette Building: A Fight for Preservation

The Marquette Building was one of the most profitable skyscrapers in Chicago when it was built in the late-19th century.

Despite its early success, the Marquette Building was nearly razed. In the mid-20th century, occupancy rates in downtown Chicago dwindled and some owners could not afford to maintain their buildings. As many owners razed historic buildings, the Marquette Building became the center of a large preservationist movement to save Chicago's architectural legacy. 

Watch the video to find out what happened when the Marquette Building was threatened with destruction.