LaSalle-Wacker Building in Chicago, Illinoise

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One of the great Art Deco piles of Chicago, the LaSalle-Wacker Building is based on a classic design, but doesn't take itself too seriously. This is one of the few buildings of its era that still embraces and celebrates its heritage. Instead of pretending to be something modern, it illuminates its light wells at night in colored flood lights. Its crowning spire can't compete with those on the nearby Willis Tower so it sticks a defiant neon finger into the night air to get noticed. A finger that is decked out in Art Deco glory. Structurally, the building is a classic 1930's skyscraper. A giant H formation on the lower part of the building allows light into the interior. Atop this is a narrow tower which offers great views while sharing the available light with its neighbors and pedestrians. This is what Chicago architecture was once all about -- the little artistic flourishes that set one brick or limestone-clad building apart from the other. The building, itself, represents a vanishing piece of history. And if you really want to look for vanishing history, check out the art deco ash trays that still exist at the ground level, though smoking has long been banned from the doorways of Chicago buildings. We are forunate that this building has a location along the river, or it would be forgotten like so many other Art Deco masterpieces crowded into obscurity in the grit of Chicago's Loop. Quick Facts Construction start: 1929 Construction finish: 1930 Designed by: Rebori, Wentworth, Dewey & McCormick Renovated: 1986 Renovated: 1986 at a cost of $1.8 million by Jack Train Associates and Lohan Associates. Type: Skyscraper Stories: 41 Maximum Height: 554 feet / 169 meters Statistics Height to roof: 512 feet. Height to top of tower: 552 feet. Base: 24 stories Tower: 17 stories Floor space: 375,000 square feet Timeline 1929: Construction begins. 1930: Construction is completed. 1954: WFMT Radio moves its studios to this building. November 9, 1997: The 40-foot-tall illuminated communications tower was added to the top of this building. August, 2014: the portion of this building not already sold off as office condos was bought by Sterling Bay for $53 million Notes This building was designed by Andrew N. Rebori. At one time there was a Rebori-designed mirrored "Sun Ball" atop this building. The base of this skyscraper is three stories tall. The main mass of this building is 20 stories tall. The tower portion of this building is 18 stories tall. Architecture firm: Holabird & Root Architecture firm: Rebori, Wentworth, Dewey, and McCormick Architect: Andrew N. Rebori This was formerly the headquarters of the McDonald's fast food chain before it moved to the suburbs. This building has a "sun beacon" at the tip of its spire. It was made up of eight 36-inch mirrors that were used as a navigation aid for early pilots. At night, the landmark was marked with red neon. (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)