Ciere Boatright commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) | LinkedIn
Ciere Boatright commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) | LinkedIn
The Rector Building, located at 79 W. Monroe St. in the Loop, has been granted official landmark status by the Chicago City Council. Constructed in 1905 by Charles E. Rector, a restaurateur, this 14-story building is recognized as the oldest remaining commercial high-rise designed by architect Jarvis Hunt.
The structure features a blend of classical and modernist Prairie School design elements. Throughout the 1900s, it served as home to various financial institutions, notably including Bell Savings & Loan Association. In 1951, Bell Savings added a distinctive "weather bell" sign to the building's corner.
This landmark designation will aid R2 Development LLC in its $64.2 million rehabilitation project under the City's LaSalle revitalization initiative. The project plans to transform 11 floors of vacant office space into 117 mixed-income residential units along with retail areas.
Importantly, this designation ensures protection for the building’s exterior elevations and rooflines.
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