The Rookery is a famous building in Chicago designed by Daniel Burnham and John Root. Its construction was completed in 1888. At 11 stories, it was the tallest building in Chicago at the time (the city was still recovering from the great fire of 1871). It was also one of the first buildings supported by an iron grillage foundation. What’s an iron grillage foundation? Iron rails and beams were encased in concrete to “float” the building on Chicago’s soft and swampy soil. (This would become a technique used in many later skyscrapers). The Rookery is perhaps best known for its atrium, or light court, that was re-designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905. The Rookery (the story behind the name is in one of the photo captions below) was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and earned LEED Gold energy certification in 2014.
Shelly waves from the front of the Rookery building.
Exterior of Rookery building
Shelly blows a kiss from the main staircase in the Rookery light court.
Light was important in Chicago’s polluted skies. Neither gas lights nor the nascent undependable electric lights could provide sufficient light, so this beautiful light court was created. What you see here is Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1905 re-design. What’s marble-clad now used to be dark metalwork.
A view of the spiral staircase, called the Oriel staircase, that leads from the second floor upwards.
Looking up from the bottom of the spiral staircase.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust maintains an office and gift shop on the ground floor of the Rookery.
Before the Central Savings Bank building was constructed, the site used to be occupied by City Hall. They claim that the building earned its “Rookery” moniker from the crows and politicians that both used to roost — and squawk — on the City Hall site. Although the owners hated it, the Rookery name stuck.
Attractive stonework on the outside of the building.
Frank Lloyd Wright wasn’t the last word on the lobby. William Drummond replaced Wright’s open geometric elevator cages with solid brass doors etched with birds in 1931.
A close-up of the birds on the elevator doors.
The only remaining section showing the original floor tile of the light court.
Frank Lloyd Wright covered dark ironwork like this with white-and-gold marble to lighten the atrium’s appearance.
The Rookery is located at 209 S. LaSalle Street in Chicago. The lobby and light court are open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm and on Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00pm. Tours that encompass more of the building can be arranged through the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust (either online or by visiting their office within the Rookery).