Chicago, IL: 1923 London Guarantee and Accident Building (360 N Michigan Avenue)

(3D Satellite)

London House
[This is one of the better views of the railroad freight facilities that I have seen bu the IC tracks. You can also see C&NW's State Street Yard on the right side of the photo. It also gives one an idea of what they had to tear down to build Wacker Drive.]

James M. Knox posted
The London House, at Michigan and Wacker Drive. Used to be a Jazz/music performance venue. Last was there for a live jazz performance in the 70’s (I remember because I had a 1971 Renault 16).

I'm posting about this building because it is neat looking, still exists, and shows up in so many skyline photos and helps me orient myself as to where the photographer is standing. I need to get down there and get my own pictures because it has a bakery and because I want to visit the bridge museum in a Michigan Ave. Bridge Tower.

Historic Chicago posted
The London Guarantee Building (1950)
Anna Bruno: From the 1960s through the 1980s, the studios of Chicago's WLS (AM) radio were located on the fifth floor of the building.

It was designed by Alfred S. Alschuler and built between 1922-23. It is 23 stories with a height of 371 feet. (ChicagoArchitecture) It is built on the original site of Fort Dearborn. In 2013 it was redeveloped as the luxury hotel London House. As part of the redevelopment, they turned a parking lot into a 22-story glass tower to add hotel features such as ballrooms, spa, restaurants, etc.

Street View

 

Taylor Rosen posted

Art Deco skyscrapers in Chicago, Illinois.

333 N. Michigan building on left (Holabird & Root, 1928) was the first Art Deco skyscraper in Chicago.

London Guaranty building, center.

Mather Tower, right.

Image by Kauffman & Fabry.

Erich Griessmann: All of these buildings are still standing.

Historic Chicago posted
London Guarantee Building on Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. (1979)
Beauty of America posted
Situated in the heart of Downtown Chicago, along Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive lies the iconic London Guaratee building in 1979 boasting an impressive Post Modern style that has made it synonymous to Chicago's skyline.

The Chicago Tribune has a collection of 14 photos concerning this building.

Glen Miller posted
From left to right in 1920: 333 N Michigan Ave, London Guarantee Building and Mather Tower. Carbide and Carbon Building will be built eight years later.

"Then and now" photos looking south from the Tribune Tower have other views of these buildings.

Matt Cabens posted
[The dark building in the center background is the Carbide and Carbon Building.]

David Daruszka commented on a posting
Buildings identified.

David Daruszka commented on a posting
Jeff Bransky Wacker Drive project underway.
Dennis DeBruler I noticed the Wacker Drive construction when I looked closer at the two barges docked there on the river.

Brian Evans shared a Chicago Tribune photo

Mister Kelly's Chicago posted three photos with the comment: "When a fire broke out on the third floor of the London Guarantee Building on May 26, 1965, London House briefly ceased operations to assess the damage but, luckily, reopened soon after."

Adam Carston shared

Mark Braun: Remember that fire because WLS had to sign off the air. They were in the London Guarantee/Stone Container building (360 N. Michigan).

Patrick McGowan: Yes, The Big 89 studios were on the 5th floor.

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MWRD shared
John Tkalec posted
Looking southwest from the north bank of the Chicago River. Right to left foreground, Michigan Ave Bridge, London Guarantee Building, 333 N Michigan Building, IC Railyard. Circa 1928.
Marisa Schwartz The building on the right is now the London House hotel.
John Tkalec I think that's the Mather Tower directly behind the London Guarantee Building.
Daniel Adams That's correct, John Tkalec. It wasn't too long ago - ten years, I believe, the terra cotta top was demolished and replaced with an identical part. They fabricated it in two sections, out of weather resistant materials,, and utilized an aircrane helicopter to transport it off a barge in the Chicago River, and gingerly mount it to its new home.

John Whuite commented on John's post
I remember that.

Mathew Tyler Wilson Those barges haven't changed much. Wonder if that one is still in use...

Dennis DeBruler They've changed. They no longer have a wood deck. And the cargo compartment extends much closer to the sides of the barge.
20190615 9219

Eric J. Nordstrom posted
original photographic print (dated 1927) of downtown chicago looking east along wacker drive from clark street.
herbert hugh riddle's 38-story mather tower (1928) is under construction to the right of london guaranty and accident building (1923).
courtesy of bldg. 51 archive.