Uploaded September 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Chicago Central Library book collection has had many homes. From a classical building on Michigan Ave to an old warehouse on the Chicago River, the collection has been moved several times to make way for downtown development opportunities. It was not until 1987 that a design/build competition was launched to construct a final resting home for the collection - the Harold Washington Library Center. Visit architecture.org/buildings to learn more about Chicago’s most iconic buildings and discover how Chicago’s rich architectural legacy was built.
The Chicago Central Library book collection has had many homes. From a classical building on Michigan Ave to an old warehouse on the Chicago River, the collection has been moved several times to make way for downtown development opportunities. It was not until 1987 that a design/build competition was launched to construct a final resting home for the collection - the Harold Washington Library Center. Visit architecture.org/buildings to learn more about Chicago’s most iconic buildings and discover how Chicago’s rich architectural legacy was built.
