Chicago Architecture Center Homepage

Reliance Building

  • White building on city street corner

    Photo by Peter J. Sieger.

Step into the Reliance building's lobby and upper floors for an immersive experience of what it was like to work in this 1895 building.
  • White building on city street corner

    Photo by Peter J. Sieger.

Marvel at the original marble, mahogany doors and decorative wrought iron found throughout the two lobbies and uppermost floors of this 1895 building, designed by John Wellborn Root and Charles Atwood.

Duration
45 minutes
Site Type
Buildings
Location
Downtown
Architects and Styles
Meet

Main Lobby, 1 W. Washington St. entrance

The Reliance Building is a great example of Chicago School tripartite design, yet its glass curtain wall foreshadowed the International Style that developed in the three decades following its completion. We will examine the building's delightful details, which include some original materials among replicas installed during a state-of-the-art, award-winning restoration in 1999.

Tour Reviews

    • The Reliance Building’s design and importance have been recognized by being named a city, state and national landmark. All this, and it is also ‘a thing of beauty’ per Tim Samuelson, Chicago's cultural historian.
      Jane BuckwalterCAC Docent Class of 1998
  • Exterior of white building with large windows

    Window details

  • Exterior of white building with large windows
  • Elevators inside building with ornate black detail

    Photo by Peter J. Sieger.

  • Close up of ornamenation on exterior of buildling

    Exterior Ornamentation

  • Close up of red black and white mosaic tile floor with quilt pattern

    Mosaic Tile Flooring

  • Lobby of building

    Photo by Peter J. Sieger

Buildings on This Tour

See All Buildings of Chicago
Skyscraper GallerySkyscraper Gallery

Free Center Entry with Your Ticket

Ticket price includes entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center within 7 days of your walking or bus tour.

Visit the Center