Legacy Chicago

72 Storeys of History and Heritage

Rising above the Windy City’s Millennium Park development, Chicago’s Legacy Tower is a beacon building representing the area’s marriage of stunning progress and sensitive preservation.

Shaws Terra Cotta took on the challenge of creating new architectural features to complement existing elements from the turn of the previous century. The main section of Legacy is a new, mixed-use residential, retail and cultural structure, completed by Walsh Construction and offering stunning views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan’s Burnham Harbor. As sections of the building’s lower levels incorporate some historical architecture over 100 years old, developing a dovetail between new and old was paramount.

Working closely with architectural firms McGuire Igleski and Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates, Shaws achieved this, creating many historically accurate details to eye-catching effect.

Restoration and Tradition

As well as a stunning entrance surround to match the building’s original doorway, Shaws’ craftsmen recreated several first-floor store fronts to match the existing historic facades retained during construction. Many of these traditional landmarks, in pressed brick, enamelled brick, terra cotta and metal formed part of the renowned ‘Jewelers Row’ on Wabash Avenue. Several dated back to the late 1800s, having been completed shortly after the great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Shaws was the ideal choice to work in such a historically sensitive environment, thanks to a wealth of experience gained during numerous conservation and restoration projects both in the US and UK. The comprehensive program of work included extensive research on the facades’ original design, surveys of the existing elements and design of the required restoration. In addition to the Legacy’s entrance and traditional store fronts, Shaws also carried out work to replace missing elements including window surrounds and cornicing.

Legacy is perfectly placed within Chicago’s ‘Cultural Mile’, near to several museums, galleries and performance spaces. With the Chicago School of the Art Institute occupying part of the building itself, well over a century of creativity and craftsmanship is represented by its construction. Shaws Terra Cotta contributes to this tradition perfectly.