Reliance Building

Chicago, United States

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

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You can stay here: Hotel

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The Reliance Building, a landmark skyscraper at 1 W. Washington Street in Chicago's Loop, represents a pivotal moment in modern architecture. Begun in 1890 with the first floor and basement designed by John Root of Burnham and Root, the building was completed in 1895 by Charles B. Atwood. It stands as the first skyscraper to feature large plate glass windows covering the majority of its façade—an innovation that would define twentieth-century tower design. This Chicago School structure fell into decline after the 1940s but underwent extensive restoration in the late 1990s, when it was converted into the Staypineapple hotel with ground-floor retail. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and a Chicago Landmark, the Reliance Building remains an essential part of the Loop Retail Historic District.

Architect

Daniel Burnham John Wellborn Root

Movement

Chicago School

Built: 1895
Type: skyscraper, hotel
Heritage: National Register of Historic Places listed place, Chicago Landmark
Place: Chicago, United States

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Location

41.88278, -87.62778