The Reliance Building: The Skyscraper That Rose Without Shutting Down
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- 3 min read
“What if I told you this entire building was once lifted off the ground—while people were still working inside?”
In the heart of Chicago stands one of the most innovative buildings of the 19th century: the Reliance Building. Known for its bright white terra cotta façade and expansive windows, this early skyscraper helped define modern architecture. But what most people don’t realize is this: Before the Reliance Building could rise, the structure beneath it had to be lifted—while people were still inside.
A Prime Location—and a Big Problem
The site at State and Washington was some of the most valuable real estate in Chicago. Owned by developer William Ellery Hale, the property had enormous potential—but the existing 1870s building sitting on it had limitations.
Like many early Chicago structures, it was built on soft clay soil, which caused:
Uneven settling
Structural stress
Limits on how tall the building could safely go
Hale wanted something bigger, newer, and far more profitable—a modern skyscraper that could take full advantage of the location.
Why Not Just Tear It Down?
In booming downtown Chicago, shutting down a building wasn’t a simple decision.
Here’s the reality:
Tenants had active leases
Businesses relied on constant foot traffic
Closing even temporarily meant lost income—for everyone
Hale needed a solution that allowed him to upgrade the building without stopping business.
The Tenants Stayed—So the Building Moved
In bustling late-19th-century Chicago, the building that once stood on the site of today’s Reliance Building remained open for business even as plans for a new skyscraper took shape. With active leases and shops that depended on steady foot traffic along State Street, relocating tenants simply wasn’t practical—for them or for developer William Ellery Hale. Rather than shutting the building down, Hale supported an extraordinary solution: engineers would raise the entire structure on jack screws, reinforce the foundation beneath it, and begin constructing the new building around and above the old one. It was a remarkable compromise between commerce and innovation—one that allowed businesses to continue operating while, quite literally, the future rose beneath their feet.
How They Pulled It Off
The process was as daring as it was precise:
Hundreds of manual screw jacks were placed beneath the building
Workers turned them slowly, lifting the structure inch by inch
The building was kept level to avoid cracking the masonry
A new, stronger foundation was built underneath
This wasn’t a quick lift—it required patience, coordination, and constant monitoring.
Building the Future in Midair
Once the building was stabilized:
A steel-frame structure began rising above it
New floors were added on top of the existing structure
The old building was gradually removed and replaced
So while it may seem like the building was simply “lifted,” the truth is even more incredible:
It was rebuilt piece by piece while still in use.
A New Kind of Skyscraper
The final design, completed in 1895 by Daniel Burnham and Charles B. Atwood, became a defining example of the Chicago School of architecture.
It introduced:
A steel skeleton frame
Large plate glass windows
A light, elegant terra cotta exterior
These innovations helped shape the future of skyscraper design across the world.
The Reliance Building is more than just a beautiful landmark—it represents a turning point in how cities evolve.
In the wake of the Great Chicago Fire, Chicago became a laboratory for bold ideas. Engineers and architects weren’t afraid to experiment—and this project proved that:
Buildings didn’t have to be demolished all at once
Businesses didn’t have to shut down for progress
Innovation could happen without interruption
A Legacy You Can Still See
Today, the Reliance Building—now home to the Staypineapple Chicago—still stands as one of the city’s most beloved architectural treasures.
And the next time you look up at its gleaming façade, remember:
This skyscraper didn’t just rise—it was lifted, rebuilt, and transformed while life inside never stopped.
Reliance Building
32 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60602
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