Chicago River Highlights: The London Guarantee Building
Located at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, the London Guarantee Building is a designated Chicago Landmark and one of Chi-Town’s most iconic buildings. Completed in 1923 and built on the site of the former Fort Dearborn, this grand neoclassical structure tells a unique tale of both the city’s past and future.
A Story in Architecture
The London Guarantee Building was conceived during an upsurge of new skyscrapers cropping up in the city after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. Designed by Alfred S. Alschuler in a Beaux-Arts style, it serves as a limestone monument to commerce with Neoclassical features like Corinthian columns and Greco-Roman figures engraved in the stone facade. The original building owner sold maritime insurance, so a sculpture of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, sits above the main entrance. Continuing the classical theme, one of the building’s most prominent features is its cupola, or small domed roof, that sits atop a ring of columns rising above the main building and forms one of Chicago’s most recognizable silhouettes.
When being designed, architect Alschuler faced a unique challenge: The plot for the building along the Chicago River was an irregular size. The owner of a small piece of land located along North Michigan Avenue refused to sell his plot, so designs for the building had to accommodate by building around it. The empty space became an air shaft, and when the final parcel of land was finally acquired, Alschuler created a five-story addition to fill the gap and make the facade continuous.
Through The Years
Over the past 100+ years since its completion, the London Guarantee Building has housed a range of tenants and served the city in a variety of roles. Originally designed and owned by the British insurance firm London Guarantee & Accident Company, through the years it has been home to radio stations, corporate offices, and, from the 1940s to 1960s, one of Chicago’s most famous jazz nightclubs: The London House.
From 2015 to 2016, the building underwent a meticulous restoration and expansion before ultimately reopening as LondonHouse Chicago, a luxury hotel that quickly became a favorite for both tourists and locals and continues to be well-loved today. A modern glass addition facing the river was seamlessly integrated, with the historic building connecting to the new sleek 22-story tower featuring a popular 3-level rooftop lounge with panoramic views of the Chicago skyline.
Experience the History for Yourself
See the London Guarantee Building for yourself on the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady. Experience the Windy City as you sail down the Chicago River with expert commentary and hidden gem insights with volunteer Chicago Architecture Center docents. Click here to get started, and prepare to set sail!
