Uploaded September 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Unlike typical commercial buildings, corporate headquarters are intended to be lavish advertisements for the residing company. In the 1950s Inland Steel was one of the most powerful corporations in the country. The building was intended to showcase steel and other post war technologies, highlighting thecompany's success. Architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill chose to use clear span construction, made possible by advances in steel technology. Visit architecture.org/buildings to learn more about Chicago’s most iconic buildings and discover how Chicago’s rich architectural legacy was built.
Unlike typical commercial buildings, corporate headquarters are intended to be lavish advertisements for the residing company. In the 1950s Inland Steel was one of the most powerful corporations in the country. The building was intended to showcase steel and other post war technologies, highlighting thecompany's success. Architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill chose to use clear span construction, made possible by advances in steel technology. Visit architecture.org/buildings to learn more about Chicago’s most iconic buildings and discover how Chicago’s rich architectural legacy was built.
