Old Chicago Main Post Office: A Historic Building's New Life

The Old Chicago Main Post Office is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture, designed by architects Graham, Anderson, Probst & White.

Its construction began in 1929 and took nearly a decade to complete, finally opening its doors in 1932.

Located at 433 W. Harrison St., this massive building stands over 12 stories tall and boasts over 2 million square feet of space.

I've walked by this building many times, and I'm always struck by its grandeur and historical significance.

The Old Main Post Office is a massive building that serves as a physical gateway to downtown Chicago, straddling major rail and subway corridors as well as the Eisenhower Expressway.

Built in 1921 and expanded in 1934, this iconic building was designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst and White, one of Chicago's best-known architecture firms.

The building's massive limestone façade is a stunning example of the Classic Art Deco style, with lavish details like white marble and gold glass mosaics in the main lobby.

At its peak, the Old Main Post Office was a technological and administrative marvel, capable of moving 19 million letters in a single day.

With 13 floors and 2.5 million square feet, this epic building is truly one of Chicago's most impressive structures.

The Old Main Post Office was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, recognizing its historic significance and importance to the city's architecture.

The Old Chicago Main Post Office has a rich history, and some interesting facts to share. It was listed on the Most Endangered list in 1997.

The building is located at 433 W. Van Burn Street, Chicago, Cook County, and its redevelopment is currently underway as of 2019. It was built in 1921 with an expansion in 1932.

The building's architecture is a stunning example of Art Deco, and it's situated in the heart of Chicago. The site type is governmental, specifically a Post Office.

Here are some key statistics about the building's history and current status:

The building has received several designations, including being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 and being designated as a City of Chicago Landmark in 2018.

The Old Chicago Main Post Office has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks to the efforts of 601W and global architecture firm Gensler. They've worked tirelessly to restore the Art Deco icon to its former glory.

The $292 million rehabilitation project is the largest adaptive reuse project in the nation, and it's a complex undertaking that requires a careful arrangement of private investment, public protections, and historic tax incentives. This project is a great example of how preservation and reinvention can go hand-in-hand.

The federal historic tax credit has proven to be a critical financing tool for this project, just like it was for other large projects in Chicago, such as the Uptown Theatre and Old Cook County Hospital. This tax credit has helped make the redevelopment of the Old Main Post Office a reality.

In April 2018, the City of Chicago officially designated the building a Chicago Landmark, providing an added measure of protection and additional economic incentives through Chicago’s Class L Property Tax Incentive. This designation has been a game-changer for the project.

The elaborate lobby of the Old Main Post Office has been fully restored to its original Roaring Twenties extravagance, featuring original brass medallions, lighting features, revolving doors, and ornamentation that had been put into storage for over 20 years.