June 17, 1932 – The Chicago Daily Tribune announces that world’s tallest building will
be constructed on Illinois Central Railroad air rights south of the Chicago
River and 200 feet east of Michigan Avenue.
A 100-year lease is finalized and the architect, Walter W. Ahlschlager,
has been chosen with a plan, already in place, for the great Art Deco tower of 75 stories. The building is to have 1,000
hotel rooms, but its primary purpose will be to consolidate all phases of the
apparel industries in one location.
Amenities will include parking on the lower levels for Pullman cars, a
1,200-car garage, two auditoriums and an open-air swimming pool on the
roof. Even at this early date at least
four-dozen firms have committed to occupying space in the building that will
cover two city blocks. W. R. Dawes, the
president of the Chicago Association of Commerce, in a letter to the president
of the Apparel Manufacturers’ Mart Building Corporation, writes, “The Chicago
Association of Commerce heartily endorses the project. We feel that the centralization of the
apparel industry in the city of Chicago, and the erection of the magnificent building
which you propose to construct on the premises will be of benefit to the entire
apparel industry and to the city of Chicago. The completion of this project
will be an achievement worthy of one of the greatest industries and of one of
the greatest cities in the country.” [Chicago Daily Tribune, June 17, 1932] Ten months later the project dies
mysteriously. Four decades will pass
before this space on Wacker Drive begins to transform itself from a railroad
freight yard to a developed piece of real estate. For more on the plan and another one that also failed to rise, head here.
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