Uploaded September 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The skyscraper in Chicago in the late 19th century was designed to maximize tenant occupancy on a small amount of land. Building up increased profits for developers and real estate investors. During the building boom of the late 19th century, the Marquette Building became one of the most profitable skyscrapers in the downtown area. However in the mid-20th century, occupancy of downtown Chicago dwindled and owners could not afford to maintain many buildings. In the 1970s the city razed a handful of historic building. The Marquette Building became the center of a large preservationist movement to save Chicago's architectural legacy when the building was threatened with destruction. Visit architecture.org/buildings to learn more about Chicago’s most iconic buildings and discover how Chicago’s rich architectural legacy was built.
The skyscraper in Chicago in the late 19th century was designed to maximize tenant occupancy on a small amount of land. Building up increased profits for developers and real estate investors. During the building boom of the late 19th century, the Marquette Building became one of the most profitable skyscrapers in the downtown area. However in the mid-20th century, occupancy of downtown Chicago dwindled and owners could not afford to maintain many buildings. In the 1970s the city razed a handful of historic building. The Marquette Building became the center of a large preservationist movement to save Chicago's architectural legacy when the building was threatened with destruction. Visit architecture.org/buildings to learn more about Chicago’s most iconic buildings and discover how Chicago’s rich architectural legacy was built.
