Chicago, IL: 1904 C&NW Former Headquarters

(3D Satellite)

I have notes on CB&Q's former headquarters, so it is only fair that I write some notes about C&NW's former headquarters since it also is still standing. This 15-story building was probably pretty tall in 1904. It was also the headquarters of the City Colleges of Chicago. The building has been sold to Phoenix Development Partners, which plans to convert it to a couple of hotels and a rooftop restaurant.

chicago.curbed.com, Courtesy of Phoenix Development Partners

David Daruszka shared

David Daruszka commented on his share

David also commented on the following post
David Daruszka https://www.chicago.gov/.../CNW_Railway_Office_Bldg...

David H. Nelson posted
A couple of weeks ago there was a thread about the CB&Q office building on the West side of the river... 250 S Clinton.
Anyway, turns out they were not the only RR in town w/ an old office building... the C&NW had theirs on W Jackson. Built in 1909, they occupied it for 20+ years before relocating close to Northwestern Station. It sat empty until WWII when they leased it to the Fed's. It is still there (left side of the photo, W Jackson at Franklin):
Alan Follett I worked for a Federal agency at 226 West Jackson from 1969 to 1976. One trace of its C&NW heritage remained: on the second floor there was a walk-in safe or vault, with the railroad’s name in gilt lettering on the door. As I recall, we just used it to store office supplies.
Also, this was one of the last office buildings in Chicago to employ actual uniformed elevator operators.
David H. Nelson 226 W Jackson is the correct address.
It's use in WWII include the Department of War Transportation. Maybe that's where all those orders for Main Trains originated.
Timothy Leppert I hired out at the CB&Q headquarters at 547 West Jackson. Had an office there on the top floor for the last half of my career. Great place.
David Daruszka At Metra we affectionately called it the "Porcelain Palace". I worked in the top top floor for awhile (up the stairs after the elevator). It was a windowless prison cell.