Chicago Varnish Company Building (Chicago Varnish)

“This classically inspired edifice thrilled Chicagoans for decades. In 1898, Cobb moved to Washington, D.C., on the promise, apparently unrealized, of a major commission for American University. Four years later he moved to New York City, where he designed several notable buildings, including the Liberty Building (1909-10), a neo-Gothic skyscraper which the Guide to New York City Landmarks refers to as "an important precedent to the Woolworth Building." At the time of its construction, Liberty Tower was called "the tallest building in the world on so small an area of ground." With its dramatic 300-foot high dome, the Federal Building, which Cobb designed in 1895 (completed in 1905), was one of the most cherished buildings in Chicago.”

“During the 1880s and '90s, the influential architect ink Calvert Vaux adapted the style for several commercial and institutional buildings in New York City. The Chicago Varnish building is one of the few examples of this style in Chicago, and one of the finest examples nationwide.”

“Holland was one of the few countries to, during the 17th century, develop a sophisticated middle-class architecture which celebrated commerce. Thus, the Dutch revival style proved a particularly apt choice for the Chicago Varnish building.”

“Cobb soon formed a partnership with Charles S. Frost, another architect formerly with Peabody & Stearns. Cobb & Frost is best remembered for one of its earliest commissions, the "million-dollar mansion" for Potter Palmer (built 1882-85), which resembled a Norman castle.”

“Today, most of the old structures dating from River North's industrial past are gone. But the Chicago Varnish building remains as one of the few examples of the area's origins as a manufacturing and distribution center.”

“In a recent interview, Julius Lewis, who wrote his University of Chicago masters' dissertation on Cobb, described him as "the Cadillac of architects in his day." Again, quoting Montgomery Schuyler: [T]he architect has reached a personal expression within the limits of an historical style, and has given evidence of an artistic individuality in addition to the abundant testimony given in his work to a remarkable technical equipment and a really astonishing versatility and facility.”

“The uses of the Chicago Varnish building are representative of the industrial and commercial heritage of that part of the River North community just north of the Chicago River.”

“The Chicago Varnish building is a rare and particularly fine example of Dutch Renaissance Revival architecture. There are few examples of this style in Chicago and none is as faithful to the originals in Holland as the Chicago Varnish building.”

“The prominence of these clients illustrates his success. Cobb's talent was recognized in his era. A lengthy laudatory essay written by the most prominent architecture critic of the time, Montgomery Schuyler, is a virtual catalog of Cobb's designs.”