Masonic Temple

Identification

Map

Structure in general

Usage

Facts

• First building in Chicago to surpass 300 feet.
• Masonic Temple featured a central light court ringed by shops on the first nine floors with offices above and meeting rooms for the Masons on the uppermost floors.
• The building employed a rigid steel frame with wrought iron windbracing placed diagonally between the structural members above the 10th floor.
• As light was a prime concern, large windows were installed from top to bottom, clearly illustrating the practicality of a steel-framed tower.
• Due to height regulations enacted in 1892, The Masonic remained one of Chicago's tallest buildings until the 1920's when the city's new zoning laws permitted towers. In 1939, its offices and stores considered old fashioned, Masonic Temple was demolished.
• Tallest building in Chicago from 1895 to 1899; surpassed by the 6 North Michigan.
• The gabled roof was a loose inspiration for the design of 190 South LaSalle by Johnson/Burgee Architects.
• Although this building was shorter than New York's World Building with its lantern, it boasted the highest occupied floor in the world.
• This was the first building in Chicago to reach 18 or more stories.