The Pittsfield Building is a 38-story skyscraper located at 55 E. Washington Street and a secondary lobby entrance at 39 N. Wabash Avenue in downtown Chicago.
In the Jewelers' Row Landmark District, the property was developed by heirs of Marshall Field and is named after Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where Marshall Field obtained his first job as a clerk in the dry goods store of "Davis & Grant" at 17 years old. The nearby Burnham Center, at the intersection of Clark Street and Washington Street, was initially named the Conway Building after Conway, Massachusetts—the birthplace of Marshall Field. Marshall Field III presented the property as a gift to the Field Museum of Natural History in honor of the museum's 50th anniversary. The museum held the property until September 1960, when the museum sold it.
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| The Pittsfield Building, Chicago |
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| The Pittsfield Building on Wabash under the 'L' Elevated Loop |
It was the city's tallest building at the time of its completion in 1927. Fourteen passenger elevators served the building.
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| The Pittsfield Building Entranceway Plaque |
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| The Pittsfield Building Entranceway |
Designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst, & White, the structure combines art deco and Gothic detailing while complying with a 1923 zoning ordinance that mandated skyscrapers' setbacks. The interior of the building features a five-story atrium, lined by balconies and shops, detailed with glowing marbles, gleaming brass, and Spanish Gothic style carvings.
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| The Pittsfield Building Atrium |
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| The Pittsfield Building Atrium |
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| The Pittsfield Building Atrium |
The architecture of the Pittsfield Building was designed with two different commercial spaces. From 5 to 37, the upper floors were professional offices for lawyers, dentists, and doctors. From the basement to the 5th floor, the lower levels were for small retailers such as jewelers, restaurants, tobacco stores, and other retailers.
The lower levels were decorated in a "Spanish Gothic Revival" style with some Art Deco touches. The architectural style unmistakably recalls the 1920's, which gives you a taste of history. When you step inside, the coffered gilt elevator lobby ceilings thrum with a maze-like hexagonal pattern. The central atrium soars five floors above, crowned with a gigantic chandelier. Marble covers seemingly every spare surface in the lobby and atrium. The beauty of this space makes the Pittsfield a rental for the occasional wedding.
The first of three basement levels was a part of the arcade and housed several shops, the fabulous dark, wood-walled, Pittsfield Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge. They had great food, served quickly during lunch hours, and at a reasonable cost. I ate there many times.
The Barber Shop, on the 1st basement level, the owner was, at one time, the "Royal Family Barber" in London, England, and had several photographs hanging in the shop to prove it.
Mike Royko, Chicago newspaper columnist (winner of the 1972 Pulitzer Prize for commentary), was a regular for a weekly trim. I talked with Royko many times. My Dad was Royko's Optometrist.
The effect of all the architectural ornamentation is stunning in its opulence and aesthetic appeal. Of course, that fits right into the flashy architectural approach that Marshall Field pioneered at his store.
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| The Pittsfield Building Brass Elevator Doors |
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| The Pittsfield Building Ground Floor Elevator Floor Indicator |
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| The Pittsfield Building Brass Restaurant Sign at the Staircase to the Lower Level. |
Marshall Field III presented the property as a gift to the Field Museum of Natural History in honor of the museum's 50th anniversary. The museum held the property until September 1960, when the museum sold it. The building was designated as a Chicago Landmark on November 6, 2002.
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| The Pittsfield Building Sign to Lower Level Atrium |
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| The Pittsfield Building Atrium Chandelier |
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| The Pittsfield Building Elevator Foyer |
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
