Gage Group-Ascher, Keith, and Gage Buildings
Why it's listed
Three adjoining commercial buildings at 18, 24 and 30 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago face Grant Park. Although they look like separate buildings, they were built in 1898-1899 as one structure with a shared foundation and steel frame. Holabird & Roche designed the structure and the two southern sections, which are faced in red brick and terra cotta with uniform grids of Chicago windows. Louis Sullivan designed the northern section at 18 South, clad in cream-colored terra cotta with botanical capitals, medallions and geometric ornament. The form argues that setting a plain, logical treatment beside a richly ornamented one makes the group an unusually clear statement of the Chicago school of commercial architecture. Later changes include added stories, removed cornices, replaced windows and altered ground floors. Writers such as Carl Condit and Thomas Tallmadge praised the designs, and the group was recognized as nationally significant for its architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the group shows two contrasting approaches of the Chicago school of commercial architecture on one shared structure. Holabird & Roche designed the plain, grid-like facades at 24 and 30 South, while Louis Sullivan designed the richly ornamented terra cotta facade at 18 South. Scholars cited in the form praise both designs as outstanding examples.
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 85002840, listed November 14, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 18--30 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | November 14, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002840 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Holabird & Roche, Louis H. Sullivan |
| Architectural style | Chicago style commercial building (Chicago school) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in commercial use; altered over time, with added stories, removed cornices and replaced ground floors. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Within district | West Loop-LaSalle Street Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.88124, -87.63700 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 85002840.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3094314
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.