Chicago Savings Bank Building
Also known as: Chicago Building
Why it's listed
Rising fifteen stories above two basements at State and Madison streets in Chicago's Loop, this office building was completed in 1905 to designs by Holabird and Roche. A steel frame set on rock caissons is clad in reddish brick and unglazed terra cotta. Its facades follow the three-part scheme of the mature Chicago School, with Chicago windows, three projecting bay windows on Madison Street, strengthened corners, recessed spandrels that emphasize the vertical lines, and an original projecting cornice. The marble lobby, brass fittings and marble staircases survive. The nomination values it as a complete, well-balanced example of the firm's work, building on earlier designs such as the Marquette and Old Colony buildings. It is one of few commercial buildings of its period still in original condition and in use. Its position also ends the view down State Street from the north, facing Sullivan's Carson Pirie Scott store.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant mainly for the excellence of its architectural design, which brings together the strongest elements of the mature Chicago School. It is one of the few buildings from the era of commercial expansion that survives in original condition and is still occupied. It also anchors the vista down State Street at the Madison Street intersection.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 75000645, listed September 5, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7 W. Madison St., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | September 5, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75000645 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1905 |
| Architect / builder | Holabird and Roche (William Holabird and Martin Roche) |
| Architectural style | Commercial (Chicago School) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, well maintained, virtually unchanged apart from some interior floor alterations and replaced elevators, and still used as an office building. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Loop Retail Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.88183, -87.62845 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 75000645.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5095518
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.