Waukegan Building

The Waukegan Building is a historic skyscraper in Waukegan, Illinois, United States. Located in what was the central business district, it was the city's first skyscraper when it opened in March 1925.

Waukegan Building
The Waukegan Building in 2014
Location4 S. Genesee St., Waukegan, Illinois
Coordinates42°21′41″N 87°49′55″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1925 (1925)
Built bySt. Louis Bank Equipment Company
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.02001355[1]
Added to NRHPNovember 21, 2002

History

By 1920, Waukegan, Illinois had grown to a small city with a population nearing 20,000, a 19.6% increase over the previous decade. The Waukegan National Bank Corporation was founded in 1914 to provide capital to the growing population. However, the bank quickly outgrew its original three-story headquarters at the corner of Genesee and Washington Streets. In 1924, they hired the St. Louis Bank Equipment Company to build a much larger building on the same site. The bank opened for a public viewing on March 7, 1925. Upon its opening, it became the tallest building in Lake County.[2]

The original tenants were the Waukegan National Bank, the Public Service Company of Northern Illinois, and a Walgreens. The Chicago Chamber of Commerce had an office on the eighth floor. Various professionals such as physicians and attorneys occupied other suites. The Great Depression hit the bank hard and by 1931 the Waukegan National Bank was bankrupt. The Citizens National Bank moved into the vacated offices and operated for six years. A variety of retail stores and professional firms have occupied the space since. It has been largely vacant since 1985.[2]

The Waukegan Building is generally Neoclassical in design. The eight-story building has an L-shaped plan with the main elevation on Genesee Street. Exterior walls are light brown brick with limestone details. Built on a concrete foundation, the tower has a flat roof with two antennas. The main facade is divided in a typical tripartite design.[2]

gollark: But not strive very much.
gollark: Well, we'll strive to earn your satisfaction?
gollark: > By using it, you agree that these frogs may throw cookies, and that any "dibs" you make may be transferred to the authors of potatOS at their discretion.> PotatOS disclaims any responsibility for potatOS caused by potatOS.> If any aspect is not utterly harmonious, gratefully bring it to our notice and we shall strive to earn your satisfaction.> The software includes Adobe Flash Player that is licensed under terms from Adobe Systems Incorporated. Adobe and Flash are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.
gollark: PotatOS has Flash Player.
gollark: Yes, *the* science museum. There is only one.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.