CITY HALL — The Commission on Chicago Landmarks moved Thursday to protect the oldest surviving Loop bank building designed by Daniel Burnham.
The Commercial National Bank Building, 125 S. Clark St., was built in 1907 by Burnham & Company, with Ernest Graham drawing the plans and supervising construction. Burnham, of course, would later write the 1909 "Plan of Chicago" and the famous admonishment to "make no little plans."
The 18-story building was sold to Commonwealth Edison in 1912 and for a long time was known as the Edison Building. More recently, it served as the central offices for Chicago Public Schools until CPS sold the building and moved to 42 W. Madison St. last year.
Blue Star Properties is developing the building. An extensive cleaning of the south and west facades was conducted last year, and the renovation will continue into next year.
The commission voted unanimously to grant landmark status, and it now moves on to the City Council for final approval, along with a landmark-oriented tax break for the new owners.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
