Chicago Board of Trade Building in Chicago, Illinois

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It makes sense that the building so many architecture enthusiasts consider the best in Chicago is situated nearly at its center. The Chicago Board of Trade Building stands as a testament to art deco design, boasting a three-part division, setbacks, light wells, and ornate details characteristic of skyscrapers from its era. Atop this masterpiece sits a pyramid and an aluminum interpretation of the Roman goddess Ceres, adding to its visual appeal. This iconic building serves as a gateway to Chicago's financial district, once rising above other structures when agriculture dominated the region. Despite aging, it has undergone several updates by renowned architects who aimed to harmonize new additions with the original design. However, over time, this building has become less prominent in the skyline, overshadowed by modern banks and retailers. Nonetheless, it remains a cherished landmark tied to the city's heartstrings, drawing visitors back to a bygone era in a familiar setting. The Chicago Board of Trade Building is not the first structure at its location; the original was erected in 1882, featuring electricity - a novelty for its time. However, when the Federal Reserve constructed its new bank nearby, the CBOT building's foundation was deemed unsound due to the Reserve's heavy and solid structure. The original building was demolished in 1929, making way for the current masterpiece. Completed in 1930, it includes a 12th-floor trading area spanning 19,000 square feet, which has been continuously operational since its opening. While the interior is impressive, the true showstopper lies outside - dozens of statues adorn the building and surrounding area, each reflecting various activities within the Board of Trade. Among them are allegorical representations of industry and agriculture, along with bulls, corn-bearing Indians, and traders, all symbolizing the essence of trade. The crowning glory is the stylized Roman goddess Ceres atop the copper pyramid, crafted from solid aluminum and weighing 6,500 pounds. By the 1980s, she had significantly deteriorated and was helicopter-lifted off her perch for restoration before being returned to her original position. Construction start: 1929 Construction finish: 1930 Designed by: Holabird & Root Cost: $22,000,000 Renovated: 1980 by Murphy/Jahn Another addition was added in 1997 by Fujikawa Johnson Architects. The interior renovation project began in 2005 and was completed in 2006. Notes: The sculpture of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, was executed by John Storrs. The building is clad with gray limestone. This is the home of WCIU Television (channel 26). At the time of its completion, this was the tallest building in Chicago. It was surpassed in 1965 by the Chicago Civic Center (now the Daley Center). Although the "Chicago Board of Trade" no longer exists, its successor, The CME Group has chosen to keep the building's historic name. At one time there were more than 2,700 miles of communications cables beneath the trading floor. The statue of Ceres at the top of the building is 30 feet tall and weighs 6,500 pounds. (Credit; Chicago Architecture) This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open source, community effort, if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help. Scanned: Photogrammetry (Processed using Agisoft PhotoScan)