Chicago Club - Chicago, IL - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

This romanesque revival building was built as the new headquarters for the Chicago Club social club in 1929. Prior to its construction, the original location of the Art Institute of Chicago stood on the same location.

As for the club itself, it is still operating as an elite social club where, according to the Chicago Tribune, "a gubernatorial candidacy might be born or a $200 million bond deal decided over the course of a routine luncheon."

The Trib also shares an interesting legend about the club from before their move to this location:

"The Chicago Fire blazed through town one October night in 1871, destroying all in its path. Chicago Club members, whose businesses were among those destroyed, gathered at their clubhouse early the next day for a champagne breakfast. When the fire engulfed the club building, the members carried sofas, cigars and whiskey from the club to the lakefront and finished their repast. Or so goes the famous legend."

(visit link)

Street address: 81 E. Van Buren Street Chicago, IL 60605 County / Borough / Parish: Cook Year listed: 2005 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture, Commerce, Social History, Entertainment Periods of significance: 1925-1949; 1950-1974 Historic function: Clubhouse Current function: Clubhouse Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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