DANIEL BURNHAM. The Edison Building . A Question of Timing

The 20 storey building at 135 South Clark began life as the Commer-cial National Bank. Later it became the Edison Building. It is now the Board of Education. Thomas Hines dates the building to 1905. As does Kristin Schaffer. Frank Randall dates it to 1907, as does the usually reliable Emporis. My well-worn copy of the AIA Guide to Chicago leaves their map blank and provides no information. (A sign of utter distaste). For the purposes of this and the next few posts I will refer to this structure as the Edison Building.

The discrepancy of construction dates is not unusual. Even in a City that says it loves its architecture. It is, however, remarkable for this building: the Edison Building is one of eighteen remaining structures in the Loop designed by D.H. Burnham and Company. Chronologically it falls between Orchestra Hall (1905) and the Field Museum (begun in 1909).

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Despite significant alterations and condition issues, it is an excellent example of Burnham's early Twentieth Century Work. Its tripartite design and attention to detailed ornament are in the Beaux-Arts tradition of People's Gas and The Conway Building.

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TO SEE ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY OF CHICAGO'S ARCHITECTURAL ICONS VISIT IMAGES IN THE LOOP.