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Field Building (Chicago)
Field Building (Chicago)
Field Building (Chicago)
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The Field Building, also known as the LaSalle National Bank Building and Bank of America Building[1] is an art deco office building at 135 South LaSalle Street in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois in the United States. The building was designated a Chicago Landmark February 9, 1994.[2]

Key Information

History and description

[edit]

The construction of the Field Building was completed 1934 as a 535 feet (163.1 m) 45-story skyscraper on the site bounded by South Clark Street, South LaSalle Street and West Adams Street. The architect was the firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst & White. It is considered the last major office building erected in Chicago prior to the Great Depression/World War II construction hiatus which ended with the building of One Prudential Plaza in 1955.[2]

Many of the latest innovations such as high-speed elevators and air conditioning were incorporated into the building's design. The lobby features a multi-level arcade between LaSalle and Clark Streets allowing pedestrians to walk between the two streets and access the retail space without exiting the building. The elevator indicator panel and mailbox in the lobby are in an integrated design which resembles the building's exterior shape.

The building rises from a four-story base that covers the entire site. The exterior of the first story is faced in polished black granite. Windows are framed with polished aluminum or monel metal and have black and polished aluminum spandrel panels. The entrances on the east and west facades rise the entire height of the base and are also framed in black granite. Five pilasters faced in white Yule Marble separate the bays containing revolving doors that provide access to the lobby.

The upper stories are sheathed in limestone with windows grouped vertically and recessed to emphasize the building's height. The 45-story rectangular tower is centered on the base and buttressed by a shorter 22-story tower at each of its four corners.[3]

Several buildings occupied this site until construction commenced in 1931. The world's first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building (1885–1931), occupied the western portion facing LaSalle and Adams Streets.[4] On December 7, 2004, a fire broke out on the 29th floor that also spread to the 30th floor; 25 people were injured.[5]

Utilization

[edit]

Much of the building's rentable area was occupied by the LaSalle Bank, with the remainder occupied by various private tenants. In 2007, LaSalle Bank was sold by its European owner ABN AMRO to Bank of America and the building's name changed to the Bank of America Building. In August 2008, the Bank sold the building to AmTrust but continues to occupy 0.8 million square feet (74,000 m2) of the 1.2 million square feet (110,000 m2) in the building under a lease that runs through 2020.[6][7] In April 2017, the bank announced it would relocate its offices to a new tower under development at 110 North Wacker.[8]

Mechanical spaces are located at the 25th and 45th floor levels. The 43rd and 44th floors house executive dining rooms for use by the bank and selected other tenants, with a cafeteria located on the concourse level. The west side of the ground floor is utilized by Bank of America for retail banking, with the east side rented to merchants. The rest of the floors consist of typical office space. As was customary in the 1930s, the building does not have a 13th floor.

The 45th floor housed FM radio station WEFM.[9] The station was owned by Zenith Radio Corporation. It broadcast classical music from 1940 to 1977.[10] It subsequently played rock music.[11]

References

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Field Building (Chicago)

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from Grokipedia
The Field Building is a 45-story located at 135 South in 's Loop district, standing at a height of 535 feet (163 meters) and completed in 1934. Designed by the architectural firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, it was constructed between 1928 and 1934 on the site of the demolished , widely regarded as the world's first , which had been built in 1885 by William LeBaron Jenney. The building was developed by the estate of retailer and originally served as an office tower, marking the last major commercial erected in before the halted such projects for two decades. Designated a on February 9, 1994, for its distinctive vertical profile, stepped silhouette, and innovative features like early air-conditioning in its lower levels, the structure exemplifies the city's enduring architectural legacy. Historically, the Field Building—initially named after , the prominent Chicago merchant whose family funded its development—replaced the after its demolition in 1931 to make way for modern expansion amid economic pressures. At the time of completion, it was one of Chicago's tallest office buildings, featuring an all-steel frame that supported its sleek, setback design typical of aesthetics, with a two-story lobby and accents enhancing its grandeur. The structure pioneered practical innovations for its era, including partial air-conditioning in the basements and first four floors, making it the first such office building in Chicago to incorporate this technology on a significant scale. Over the decades, it housed major financial institutions, evolving into the LaSalle National Bank Building in the mid-20th century and later the Financial Center until the bank's departure in 2020 left much of the space vacant. In recent years, the Field Building has become a focal point for urban revitalization efforts in Chicago's Central Loop, where declining office demand post-pandemic has prompted adaptive reuse projects. In September 2025, the City of Chicago approved $98 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) support for a $241.6 million conversion plan by Field Building Revitalization Partners, transforming approximately 485,000 square feet of underutilized office space into 386 residential units, including 270 market-rate apartments and 116 affordable units, with three lower levels dedicated to retail and event space. Construction is slated to begin in spring 2026, with completion anticipated by summer 2027, aiming to breathe new life into the landmark while preserving its historic facade and interiors. This initiative underscores the building's ongoing significance in addressing contemporary challenges like housing shortages and the shift toward mixed-use urban development in historic structures.

History

Development and construction

In the late 1920s, the estate of , the prominent Chicago founder who died in 1906, initiated planning for a major office as an investment property to capitalize on the city's booming commercial district. The project was envisioned as a multi-unit development on a prime Loop site, reflecting the estate's ongoing strategy following Field's legacy in urban development. The selected location spanned the block bounded by (west), Adams Street (south), Clark Street (east), and Jackson Boulevard (north), previously occupied in part by the —the pioneering 1885 structure widely regarded as the world's first , designed by with innovative metal-frame construction. Demolition of the and surrounding structures occurred between 1931 and 1932 to clear the site, after which a was installed in the Field Building's lobby honoring Jenney as "the true father of the ." Construction commenced on November 1, 1931, under the architectural direction of the firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, known for its work on landmark Chicago buildings. The project proceeded in phases across three sections: the low-rise La Salle Street unit completed in 1932, the Clark Street unit in 1933, followed by the full 45-story tower (skipping the 13th floor for superstition) in spring 1934, reaching a height of 535 feet (163 m). The total cost amounted to $15 million, with the George A. Fuller Company serving as general contractor. Undertaken amid the , the Field Building's completion marked the last major office constructed in until the 1955 opening of , as economic downturn and halted large-scale development for two decades. Despite the era's financial challenges, the project proceeded steadily, underscoring the estate's commitment to the city's architectural prominence.

Early ownership and operations

The Field Building was originally developed and owned by the estate of Chicago retailer as an investment property, comprising approximately 1.2 million square feet of office space intended for multiple tenants. Upon its completion in 1934 during the , the structure opened as one of Chicago's largest office buildings, marking a significant speculative venture amid economic hardship. The building quickly attracted tenants, achieving near-full occupancy by 1942 and maintaining a 99.7% occupancy rate by 1959, which supported its role as a key commercial hub. By the mid-20th century, it housed over 270 firms, including major occupants like Zurich Insurance and N.W. Ayer & Son, reflecting robust leasing activity managed initially by the estate and later by Robert Carpenter & Co. starting in 1942. In 1947, following the termination of the original Field estate holdings, assumed control of the property and donated it to the Field Foundation, Inc., for continued management and leasing operations. Early operational features emphasized high tenant capacity, accommodating up to 9,000 workers across its floors, alongside retail banking facilities on the lower levels occupied by La Salle National Bank to serve building users and the surrounding Loop district. From 1940 to 1977, the 45th floor hosted FM radio station WEFM, owned by Zenith Radio Corporation, which broadcast classical music and utilized the building's height for transmission, marking an early integration of broadcasting into the skyscraper's operations.

Architecture and design

Exterior features

The Field Building exemplifies architecture through its vertical emphasis and geometric massing, designed by the firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White and completed in 1934. The structure features a polished black base that spans the first story, providing a solid and reflective foundation that contrasts with the lighter materials above. Above the base, the upper stories are sheathed in , creating a smooth, elegant surface that highlights the building's height and streamlined form. The facade incorporates subtle ornamental elements, including five pilasters clad in white Yule marble at the main entrances on LaSalle and Clark Streets, which frame the revolving doors and add a touch of classical refinement to the modern design. These pilasters, along with zig-zag patterns, contribute to the restrained decoration typical of late in . The lobby facade employs three types of for decorative accents—Vermont white, Italian green, and tan—enhancing the entrance's visual appeal without overwhelming the overall austerity. Windows are framed in polished aluminum, the first such use in a office building, and grouped vertically in recessed bays to further accentuate the upward thrust of the design. The building's massing consists of a central 45-story rectangular tower rising to feet, centered on a four-story base that occupies half a , with setbacks creating a stepped characteristic of 1930s . This tower is buttressed by four shorter 22-story corner towers, which provide structural balance and visual interest, culminating in the structure's distinctive profile against the skyline.

Interior and technological innovations

The Field Building's interior featured a prominent two-story lobby designed in the style, characterized by sleek lines and high-quality materials including flooring with an "F" motif and walls clad in white, Italian green, and tan Italian marble. This lobby incorporated a multi-level arcade spanning from South LaSalle Street to South Clark Street, facilitating pedestrian passage through the building with shops and grand openings that enhanced connectivity and sightlines at street level. The upper levels included executive dining rooms on the 43rd and 44th floors, reserved for bank leadership and select tenants, along with a cafeteria on the concourse level to support daily operations. Technological advancements defined the building's original design, positioning it as a leader in 1930s office efficiency. It was among the earliest Chicago office structures to incorporate , initially installed in the basements and first five floors upon completion, complemented by concealed radiation heating systems that were innovative for eliminating visible radiators. The vertical circulation relied on a bank of 42 high-speed elevators utilizing a double-unit configuration, enabling efficient transport for the building's occupants and visitors while supporting its high-rise demands. Windows were framed in Truscon aluminum, a novel material for Chicago at the time, promoting natural light and ventilation while contributing to the building's modern aesthetic. The interior layout emphasized flexibility for high-density tenancy, with non-load-bearing walls allowing customizable office spaces across approximately 1,052,000 square feet of rentable area that accommodated over 270 firms. Reflecting superstitions, the building omitted a floor, resulting in 44 numbered stories above a 45-story physical height of 535 feet.

Significance and preservation

Landmark status and historical context

The Field Building was designated a Chicago Landmark on February 9, 1994, in recognition of its exemplary design and its status as a prominent Depression-era that contributed to the city's architectural legacy. This official status underscores the building's architectural significance within the Loop district, protecting its distinctive features from alteration while highlighting its role in Chicago's evolution as a center of vertical urban development. Erected on the site of the (1885–1931), widely regarded as the world's first and designed by engineer , the Field Building carries forward a pivotal piece of 's structural history. A in the lobby explicitly honors this predecessor, noting the site's foundational importance in pioneering metal-frame construction techniques that enabled modern high-rise architecture. As the last major office tower completed in before the construction hiatus imposed by the and , the Field Building bridges the gap between the city's early skeletal-frame innovations and the postwar era of streamlined modernism, enhancing the skyline's historical continuum. Situated in the heart of the financial district, the building symbolizes economic resilience amid the , as its construction represented a bold during widespread financial uncertainty. This location reinforced 's prominence as Chicago's "," where the tower's presence affirmed the district's enduring vitality even as the nation grappled with . The structure exemplifies the architectural firm's Graham, Anderson, Probst & White's adept transition from classical Beaux-Arts traditions to the geometric elegance of , blending symmetrical massing and ornate detailing with modernist verticality. This adaptation is evident in the building's setback silhouette and bronze accents, which echo the firm's earlier grand-scale projects while embracing the era's streamlined aesthetic to define a key chapter in Chicago's heritage.

Notable events and cultural impact

On December 7, 2004, a significant broke out on the 29th floor of the Field Building, spreading to the 30th floor and injuring 37 people, including 22 firefighters. The blaze, which burned for approximately five and a half hours, was fueled by office contents and required extensive efforts from the to contain, leading to shattered windows and visible flames from the upper levels. This incident prompted citywide reviews of high-rise protocols and enhancements for older in the Loop district. The Field Building has played a prominent role in Chicago's cultural landscape as an enduring icon, frequently featured in media portrayals and guided tours that highlight the city's heritage. It appears in documentaries and publications celebrating the Loop's skyline evolution, underscoring its geometric motifs and setback design as exemplars of 1930s modernism. These representations have bolstered public appreciation, inspiring broader preservation initiatives for similar structures in the , including advocacy for landmark protections amid urban redevelopment pressures. From 1940 to 1978, the building's top floor housed the transmitter for WEFM, Radio Corporation's pioneering FM station, which broadcast for nearly four decades and advanced Chicago's early FM radio development. Launched to promote 's high-fidelity technology, WEFM's 50-kilowatt signal from the 45th floor marked one of the nation's most powerful FM operations at the time, fostering a dedicated audience and contributing to the medium's growth as a sophisticated alternative to . This tenure solidified the building's association with innovation in the city's media history. Economically, the Field Building symbolized the Marshall Field family's philanthropic legacy, as it was transferred to the Field Foundation in 1965 by Marshall Field IV, who had managed it as a revenue-generating asset to fund social initiatives. The foundation's oversight of the property until its later sale exemplified how family estates supported charitable causes, including civil rights and community development in Chicago, aligning the structure with broader narratives of retail wealth reinvested in public good. In urban discourse, the Field Building is routinely referenced as a in Chicago's skyscraper progression from the 1920s boom to contemporary adaptive strategies, illustrating how Art Deco towers can transition from office use to mixed residential-commercial spaces without compromising historical integrity. Scholars and planners cite its robust framework and central location as models for sustainable revitalization in declining corridors, influencing policies on heritage conservation amid post-pandemic shifts in commercial .

Utilization and redevelopment

Mid-20th century to banking era

Following the termination of the original Field estate involvement, the property was transferred to the Field Foundation, Inc., in 1947 by , marking a shift toward sustained management focused on stable operations and philanthropy-aligned investments. Under the foundation's oversight, the building experienced robust demand as an office tower, achieving near-full utilization with occupancy reaching 99.7% in 1959 amid a diverse array of professional tenants, including firms, securities brokers, and financial institutions. This period solidified the structure's role in Chicago's Loop financial district, with ongoing maintenance ensuring its appeal to high-profile occupants. In the late , LaSalle National Bank emerged as the dominant force, acquiring a commanding presence through a major encompassing approximately 800,000 square feet and prompting the formal renaming of the building to the LaSalle National Bank Building to reflect its centrality to the institution's operations. The bank's configuration leveraged the building's design for financial use, with facilities and customer services housed on the lower floors in the expansive, column-free banking hall featuring 16-foot ceilings, while executive offices and administrative functions occupied the upper levels for strategic oversight. The banking era evolved further in 2007 when Bank of America acquired LaSalle Bank from ABN AMRO for $21 billion, inheriting the extensive lease and rebranding the property as the Bank of America Building, where it functioned as the acquirer's regional headquarters housing thousands of employees. In August 2008, Bank of America executed a sale-leaseback transaction with AmTrust Realty, transferring ownership for $188 million while retaining its substantial tenancy to maintain operational continuity. Bank of America's tenure persisted until 2017, when the institution announced plans to relocate its Chicago operations to a new 51-story tower at , citing modern workspace needs. The full exodus occurred in 2020, coinciding with the onset of remote work trends accelerated by the , which triggered a sharp drop in overall occupancy as secondary tenants also downsized or departed, rendering the building largely vacant by year's end.

Post-2020 vacancy and adaptive reuse plans

The Field Building has remained fully vacant since 2020, following the departure of its primary tenant, , which relocated its Midwest headquarters to the nearby Drive. This exodus contributed to the broader challenges in Chicago's Loop district, where office vacancy rates surged amid trends and economic shifts, leaving the 1.4-million-square-foot tower underutilized. The building's redevelopment is integrated into the City of Chicago's Reimagined initiative, launched to address office market oversupply by converting vacant commercial spaces into residential and mixed-use developments, thereby increasing housing stock and revitalizing the historic financial corridor. This program supports projects across the Loop, with the Field Building representing one of the largest efforts to transform underused skyscrapers into vibrant, community-oriented spaces. In 2025, significant progress occurred when the approved the Field Building Revitalization Partners' project on September 25, allocating $98 million in (TIF) as part of a $241.6 million total investment that also includes loans and historic tax credits. The plan, developed by a of Riverside Investment & Development, AmTrust Realty Advisors, and DL3 Realty, envisions converting approximately 485,000 square feet of into 386 residential units—comprising studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, with 116 units designated as affordable at 60% of the area —alongside three lower levels and 92,000 square feet of commercial space for amenities such as a small-format grocer, health and fitness facilities, and food-and-beverage outlets. Construction is slated to begin in spring 2026 and conclude by summer 2027. The SCB has been engaged for the reuse project, focusing on preserving the building's iconic elements, including its limestone facade, terracotta detailing, and central arcade, while integrating modern residential features to enhance the financial district's appeal as a mixed-use neighborhood. This approach ensures the landmark's historical integrity is maintained amid the addition of housing and amenities, aligning with preservation guidelines from the city's Landmarks Commission.

References

  1. https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/135-south-lasalle-street/3149
  2. https://webapps1.chicago.gov/landmarksweb/web/landmarkdetails.htm?lanId=1299
  3. http://chicagology.com/skyscrapers/skyscrapers018/
  4. https://www.rpwrhs.org/w/index.php?title=Field_Building
  5. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/provdrs/ec_dev/news/2025/september/tif-funding-will-support--241-6-million-field-building-conversio.html
  6. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=248525
  7. https://buildingsdb.com/IL/chicago/field-building/
  8. https://chicagodesignslinger.blogspot.com/2015/02/bank-of-america-field-building-chicago.html
  9. http://www.theradiohistorian.org/fm/fm.html
  10. https://www.aircheckradio.us/wefm/
  11. https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/sites/lasalle-street/pdfs/135_s_lasalle_presentation.pdf
  12. https://voicemap.me/tour/chicago/chicago-walking-tour-with-context/sites/field-building
  13. https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/june-july-2025/what-was-chicagos-first-skyscraper/
  14. https://urbanland.uli.org/development-business/team-announced-for-lasalle-street-redesign
  15. https://www.architecture.org/online-resources/architecture-encyclopedia/graham-anderson-probst-white
  16. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/12/07/loop-high-rise-fire-injures-25-2/
  17. https://www.npr.org/2004/12/07/4206247/blaze-torches-art-deco-building-in-chicago
  18. https://www.enr.com/articles/30705-another-chicago-fire-motivates-code-changes-12-7-2004
  19. https://www.architecture.org/city-tours/art-deco-skyscrapers-the-loop
  20. https://www.preservationchicago.org/win-tif-approved-for-field-building-at-135-s-lasalle-street-adaptive-reuse/
  21. https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/eugene-f-mcdonald-jr-broadcasting-pioneer
  22. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Early-Radio-Assorted/Zenith-Story-from-1919-1955.pdf
  23. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/classical-stations-in-chicagos-past.610245/
  24. https://fieldfoundation.org/about/history
  25. https://www.preservationchicago.org/potential-win-three-historic-lasalle-street-skyscrapers-selected-for-adaptive-reuse/
  26. https://scb.com/2025/07/10/chicago-sun-times-talks-to-scb-about-the-adaptive-reuse-of-the-field-building/
  27. https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/lasalle-reimagined-135-s-lasalle
  28. https://www.reuters.com/article/business/bank-of-america-to-buy-abns-lasalle-idUSN23268417/
  29. https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/will-amtrust-realty-walk-away-lasalle-street-property
  30. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2017/april/BankofAmerica_110NWacker.html
  31. https://chicago.suntimes.com/architecture-design/2025/07/09/landmarks-commission-lasalle-street-art-deco-field-building-skyscraper
  32. https://chicagoyimby.com/2025/11/funds-approved-for-residential-conversion-of-field-building-in-the-loop.html
  33. https://scb.com/project/135-south-lasallethe-field-building/
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