The Marquette Building: A Hidden Architectural Gem in Chicago’s Loop
- 123gochicago
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Tucked into the heart of Chicago’s Loop, the Marquette Building is one of those places people walk past every day without realizing the beauty waiting just inside. Completed in 1895, this Chicago Landmark is a masterpiece of Chicago School architecture, blending innovative design with extraordinary artistic detail.
Named for French explorer Father Jacques Marquette, the building doesn’t just house offices — it tells a story. From its ornate terra cotta exterior to its breathtaking mosaic-filled lobby, the Marquette Building feels more like a museum than a commercial space.
The Marquette Building was designed by architectural firm Holabird & Roche, pioneers of the Chicago School style that helped define modern skyscraper construction. Built during a period of rapid growth in Chicago, the building used a steel-frame structure, allowing for taller construction and larger windows — a revolutionary concept at the time.
Its name honors Father Jacques Marquette, a 17th-century French missionary and explorer known for mapping large portions of the Midwest, including the Mississippi River region. His legacy is woven throughout the building’s design, particularly inside the lobby.
Rising 14 stories, the Marquette Building exemplifies the core principles of Chicago School architecture: function, light, and structural innovation. The steel skeleton made expansive windows possible, flooding interior spaces with natural light.
What truly sets the building apart, however, is its terra cotta facade. Look closely and you’ll spot detailed carvings depicting explorers, Native American figures, and early Chicago landmarks. These decorative elements soften the building’s industrial structure, creating a perfect balance between utility and artistry.
Stepping inside the Marquette Building is an unforgettable experience. The two-story atrium lobby is illuminated by skylights above, instantly drawing your eyes upward.
The lobby’s most striking feature is its series of mosaic murals designed by Louis Tiffany & Co., the same firm famous for its stained glass work. These mosaics illustrate scenes from Father Marquette’s expeditions, including interactions with Native American tribes and depictions of the Midwestern landscape. Every detail is intentional — from the flowing rivers to the carefully rendered figures — transforming the lobby into a visual narrative of exploration and history.
The artistry doesn’t stop at the walls. Original mosaic floors, decorative columns, ornate staircases, and detailed elevator surrounds make it clear that every inch of the Marquette Building was designed with care. Unlike many historic buildings where ornamentation was later removed or simplified, the Marquette Building retains much of its original decorative character, offering a rare glimpse into the artistic ambition of late 19th-century Chicago.
Recognizing its architectural and historical significance, the Marquette Building was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1975. This status helps ensure that its unique features — from the terra cotta exterior to the Tiffany mosaics — are preserved for future generations. Today, while the building still functions as office space, its lobby remains accessible to the public, making it one of the Loop’s most rewarding hidden discoveries.
If you’re exploring downtown Chicago, the Marquette Building is well worth a stop. Step inside, take a moment to look up, and allow yourself to be transported back to a time when architecture was designed to inspire as much as it was meant to function.
Marquette Building
140 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60603
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