Roanoke Building

A four-story Major Block 1 building, designed by T. V. Widskier, sat on this location until the Great Chicago Fire. After the fire, this was replaced with the Major Block 2, which eventually became known as the Roanoke Building. Major Block 2 stood from 1872 to 1912 as a seven-story building on spread foundations. It was designed by Dixon & Hamilton and had a length of {{convert|136|ft|m|1}} along South LaSalle Street and a width of {{convert|66|ft|m|1}} along West Madison Street. A commonly published illustration of this building shows it as a five-story building.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gYLlF61yeYEC&q=roanoke+building+chicago&pg=PA67 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012224251/http://books.google.com/books?id=gYLlF61yeYEC&pg=PA67&lpg=PA67&dq=roanoke%2Bbuilding%2Bchicago&source=web&ots=6yWbrsQrJ5&sig=CIDsMLY82gjFXvSAUd-ZlIUYy3Q&hl=en |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |title=History of the Development of Building Construction in Chicago |access-date=April 1, 2008 |author=Randall, Frank A., John D. Randall |year = 1999|isbn = 9780252024160}} From June 8, 1873, to January 1, 1887, the original Roanoke building served as the Chicago location for the National Weather Service Weather Forecast official climate site.{{cite web|url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/?n=history|title=History of the Chicago and Rockford weather observation sites|access-date=March 31, 2008|publisher=NOAA's National Weather Service}} The building is mentioned in Saul Bellow's More Die of Heartbreak but there it is referred to as a wealthy residence building and not as an office building.for instance page 191 Dell Publishing 1988

File:20070513 One North LaSalle.JPG (light grey) on right from South on LaSalle Street]]

The current building was designed in three phases: in 1915 Holabird & Roche's design for the first 16 floors was built, and five floors were added in 1922. It was built originally as the sixteen-story high Lumber Exchange Building and later renamed as the 11 South LaSalle Street Building. The Holabird & Roche design had three basements and rock caissons. The original 16-floor building was a late Chicago school commercial building that incorporated arches at both the fourth and the top floor, but when the top five floors were added in 1922 under the original cornice, the top rank of arches disappeared.{{cite book|title=AIA Guide to Chicago|edition=2nd|page=80|editor=Sinkevitch, Alice|chapter=The Loop: 11 S. LaSalle St. (formerly Roanoke Building, originally Lumber Exchange Building)|publisher=Harcourt, Inc.|isbn=978-0-15-602908-7|year=2004}} The building uses dark terra cotta with italianate designs.{{cite book|title=The Architecture of Chicago's Loop: A Guide to the Central and Nearby Districts|author=Steiner, Frances H.|page=46|chapter=Central Business District: LaSalle Street: Eleven South LaSalle (Originally the Lumber Exchange)|publisher=Sigma Press|isbn=978-0-9667259-0-2|year=1998}} The vaulted ceiling and marble wall lobby contribute to what is described as a classical entrance and lobby. The Palladian entrance uses contrasting white varigated and black marble.

In 1925,Emporis.com cites the year as 1927 and other sources note 1926. the building was built to its current 35 story height by the addition of an adjacent tower to the east of the Madison street frontage. The entire building contains {{convert|330000|sqft|m2}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.cityfeet.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?Id=27062&PartnerPath= |title=Gohagan & Co. Sign for 15,500 SF at Roanoke |access-date=April 1, 2008 |date=December 11, 2007 |author=Kelly, Gina |publisher=Cityfeet.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520024847/http://www.cityfeet.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?Id=27062&PartnerPath= |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |url-status=live }} The 36-story tower was added east of the original structure on the site of the former DeSoto Building at 125-129 West Madison. The tower was an early example of the use of setbacks and it uses ranks of paired windows. When the Tower was built, four bronze bells were cast by the Meneely Bell Company (the second Meneely Bell Foundry) and installed as a clock-chime. They were set to chime an original composition called "Samheim", which is Norse for "Tomorrow", every quarter-hour.{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=roanokebuilding-chicago-il-usa |title=Roanoke Building |access-date=March 31, 2008 |publisher=Emporis.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505160746/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=roanokebuilding-chicago-il-usa |archive-date=May 5, 2007 |url-status=usurped |df=mdy }} The largest of these bells weighs {{convert|7201|lb|kg st}}Meneely Bell Company ledger, p.101 and is inscribed with the name "Leander" in honor of Leander McCormick.{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sat_restoremar01,0,3405726.story |title=Timeworn gem gets a polish |access-date=April 1, 2008 |date=March 1, 2008 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |author=Manor, Robert |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511195712/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sat_restoremar01,0,3405726.story |archive-date=May 11, 2008 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} The current Roanoke building is the city's only example of a building in the style of Portuguese Gothic architecture.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20070802/CRED03/200025896/panel-approves-landmark-status-for-roanoke-building#axzz1E5wHIOEz|title=Panel approves landmark status for Roanoke Building|access-date=February 16, 2011|date=August 2, 2007|author=Gallun, Alby|publisher=Crain Communications, Inc.|work=Crain's ChicagoBusiness}} According to the press release from the city announcing the landmark promotion, the building's terra cotta ornamentation is derived from Portuguese Gothic precedents. The building was modernized in the 1950s and went through a postmodern renovation in 1984 to evoke the original ornamentation. The building has the same frontage as the original Roanoke building plus that of the former Farewell Hall (built by William W. Boyington at 131-3 West Madison Street).

From 1920 until 1969 the building hosted the offices of the law firm Sidley & Austin.{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/2846.html |title=Sidley & Austin |access-date=March 31, 2008 |publisher=Chicago Historical Society |encyclopedia=The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago |date=2005 |author=Wilson, Mark R. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626061333/http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/2846.html |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} Today the building is leased by small service industry firms, such as second-floor tenant Thomas P. Gohagan & Co., which arranges travel trips and tours for non-profit organizations.

The building is undergoing renovation to the lobby, the façade, the elevators and the exterior lighting. The recent National Register listing has made the renovation feasible by making the building eligible for federal tax credits and reduced property taxes.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20070810/CRED03/200025983/reschke-refinances-roanoke-building-ahead-of-renovation#axzz1E5wHIOEz|title=Reschke refinances Roanoke Building ahead of renovation|access-date=February 16, 2011|date=August 10, 2007|author=Eddie Baeb|publisher=Crain Communications, Inc.|work=Crain's Chicago Business}} The building qualified for the landmark Class L tax status,{{cite web|url=http://www.chicityclerk.com/legislation/sublegmatters/111307/111307submatters.pdf|title=untitled|access-date=May 27, 2008|date=November 13, 2007|publisher=Chicago City Clerk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910135932/http://www.chicityclerk.com/legislation/sublegmatters/111307/111307submatters.pdf|archive-date=September 10, 2008|df=mdy-all}} which makes it eligible for twelve years of reduced property taxes and other economic incentives for repair and rehab of historic buildings{{cite web |url=http://www.hydepark.org/historicpres/landmarkscrit.htm |title=The Commission on Chicago Landmarks designation process and criteria; how landmarking and its tax incentives could affect you, and the differences from National Registry |access-date=May 27, 2008 |publisher=Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417005129/http://www.hydepark.org/historicpres/landmarkscrit.htm |archive-date=April 17, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} In order to perform the renovation the owners took out a $43.3 million loan against the property according to Form 8-K filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.{{cite web |url=http://www.secinfo.com/d14D5a.u5gDe.htm |title=KBS Real Estate Investment Trust/Inc · 8-K · For 8/7/07 |access-date=May 28, 2008 |date=August 13, 2007 |publisher=Fran Finnegan & Company |work=SEC Info |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324221550/http://www.secinfo.com/d14D5a.u5gDe.htm |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} Its National Registered Historic Places announcement listed it under the name "Lumber Exchange Building and Tower Addition" although its Chicago Landmark listing is under the name "Roanoke Building and Tower."

In October 2006, Michael Reschke bought the Roanoke building and he refinanced it in 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20070810/CRED03/200025983/reschke-refinances-roanoke-building-ahead-of-renovation|title=Reschke refinances Roanoke Building ahead of renovation|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=August 10, 2007|work=Crain's Chicago Business|author=Baeb, Eddie}} In 2009, Reschke announced plans to convert the building into a high-end hotel.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20090513/CRED03/200034021/reschke-planning-another-lasalle-st-hotel|title=Reschke planning another LaSalle St. hotel|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=May 13, 2009|work=Crain's Chicago Business|author=Baeb, Eddie}} In April 2012, Michael Silberberg-led Berkley Properties LLC appeared to have bought the Roanoke Building from KBS Capital Advisors LLC with plans to convert the building into a hotel.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120411/CRED03/120419961/civic-opera-building-owner-acquires-reschke-controlled-loop-office-tower|title=Delinquent loan sold on Reschke-controlled building|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=April 11, 2012|work=Crain's Chicago Business|author=Ori, Ryan}} However, financing difficulties caused the plans to be caught up in legal proceedings within a month.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120509/CRED03/120509758/reschke-venture-faces-50-million-foreclosure-suit-on-11-s-lasalle|title=Reschke venture faces $50 million foreclosure suit on 11 S. LaSalle|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=May 9, 2012|work=Crain's Chicago Business|author=Ori, Ryan}} By January 2014, Reschke had prevailed in a legal battle and secured financing for a $68 million construction loan to convert the building into a Residence Inn.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140114/CRED03/140119914/reschke-lands-mass-mutual-loan-for-loop-hotel-conversion|title=Big Loop hotel conversion lands construction loan|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=January 14, 2014|work=Crain's Chicago Business|author=Gallun, Alby}} In late 2014, the city approved a $13.8 million, 12-year property tax incentive for rehabilitating historic elements of the building, adding a green roof, and converting the building to a Residence Inn.{{cite web|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140911/downtown/roanoke-building-become-extended-stay-hotel-through-tax-incentive/|title=Roanoke Building To Become Extended-Stay Hotel Through Tax Incentive|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=September 11, 2014|author=Tufano, Lizzie Schiffman|work=DNAInfo|archive-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004104130/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140911/downtown/roanoke-building-become-extended-stay-hotel-through-tax-incentive/|url-status=dead}} On September 21, 2015, the building opened for business as the largest Residence Inn in the world with 380 rooms and 7500 square feet of meeting space after $136 million in renovations over two years.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150922/CRED01/150929976/prime-group-s-michael-reschke-discusses-his-new-residence-inn-on-lasalle-street-in-chicago|title=Putting a little Ritz in a Residence Inn|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=September 22, 2015|work=Crain's Chicago Business}} On November 10, 2015, Residence Inn celebrated its 40th anniversary during the 100th year of the building's existence at this location, which was its 700th location.{{cite web|url=https://www.cpexecutive.com/post/largest-residence-inn-hotel-hits-the-chicago-loop/|title=Largest Residence Inn Hotel Hits Chicago Loop: Residence Inn by Marriott celebrated its 40th anniversary in style, with the opening of its 700th and largest hotel.|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=November 10, 2015|author=Neamt, Ioana|work=Commercial Property Executive}}

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Category:Commercial buildings completed in 1915

Category:Commercial buildings completed in 1922

Category:Commercial buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Chicago

Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Chicago

Category:Commodity exchanges in the United States

Category:Chicago school architecture in Illinois

Category:Chicago Landmarks

Category:1915 establishments in Illinois

Category:Residence Inns by Marriott

Category:Hotels in Chicago