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The History of One North State

For over two centuries, journalists have dubbed State & Madison the "Busiest Corner in the World." This iconic intersection, where all of Chicago's elevated train lines converge, stands as the true epicenter of the city. The area's rich history began in 1845 with Chicago's first public school, followed by James H. McVicker's theatre in 1857, bringing cultural refinement to the bustling corner. Despite the devastation of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, which destroyed numerous prominent buildings along State Street, the area's resilience shone through as architects swiftly rebuilt Chicago's premier shopping and business district.

The Chicago Building, now known as One North State, epitomizes this rebirth. Constructed between 1904 and 1912, this 16-story modern marvel features a steel frame and terra cotta façade, earning its place on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by the renowned Holabird & Roche architecture firm, apprentices of William Le Baron Jenney, "The Godfather of the Skyscraper," the building stands as a testament to Chicago's architectural innovation alongside their other famous works like Chicago City Hall and the University Club.

Originally home to the Central Trading Company & Mandel Bros department store, One North State has played a pivotal role in American retail history. The building later housed Wieboldt's Department Store in the 1960s, strategically positioned near Marshall Field's. As suburban migration led to the closure of many historic Chicago department stores, One North State adapted, becoming the First Chicago National Bank and corporate offices in the 1980s.

Throughout its storied past, State & Madison has been the crossroads of Chicago's history, with One North State standing as a beacon where the world's greatest minds have consistently gathered. From the era of the "Big 9" department stores, including Carson Pirie Scott & Co. and Marshall Field's, to its current incarnation, this historic landmark continues to be at the heart of Chicago's vibrant business and cultural landscape.