| Address | 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Built | 1965 |
| Architect | C.F. Murphy Associates, Sculptor:Pablo Picasso |
| Status | Designated Chicago Landmark |
| Designation Date | November 6, 2002 (Final)City Council Journal of the Proceedings, p. 95929 |
| Neighborhood | Loop |
| Type | Office and commercial building |
| Landmark ID | L-78 |
Interior spaces protected by this designation
- The first-floor and upper-story lobbies
Daley Center, Preliminary Summary of Information, Commission on Chicago Landmarks, p. 19.
Direct quotes from the Chicago Landmark Designation Report
“The "Chicago Picasso" by Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century, was the Loop's first monumental modern sculpture. Its construction sparked the transformation of Chicago's downtown streets with important sculptures by other significant artists, including Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Joan Miro', Jean Dubuffet, and others.”
“The Daley Center is one of the most important buildings designed by C.F. Murphy Associates, whose work was influential in Chicago during the 1960s and 1970s. Their important designs include such major public commissions as the terminals at O'Hare International Airport (opened 1963), the second McCormick Place convention center (1971), and Chicago's Central District Water Filtration Plant (1972).”
“The Daley Center was Chicago's first major public building to be constructed in a modern, rather than a classical, architectural style. The deliberate choice of a radical new architectural style for the Daley Center symbolized the City's efforts during the 1960s to recast its aging downtown with modern skyscrapers that would generate greater tax revenues and signify prosperity.”
“The Daley Center was only the second building-and the first skyscraper-to be clad with Cor-Ten steel. The Daley Center is an outstanding example of innovative structure and engineering.”
“The Daley Center, its plaza and Picasso sculpture represent a powerful visual feature in the heart of Chicago's Loop. Encompassing a prominent city block bounded by Washington, Randolph, Dearborn and Clark Streets, this architectural ensemble is seen by hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans and visitors each year.”
“Situated in the midst of soaring office towers, the plaza draws pedestrians together and contributes to a sense of community spirit. Since 1967, the "Chicago Picasso" has generated enormous civic pride, becoming what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris-an enduring and distinctive symbol of the city and one of the world's most famous works of public art.”
“The Daley Center plaza serves as the Loop's most important gathering place for holidays and special events, ranging from Bears rallies to farmers' markets to Presidential rallies, drawing pedestrians together and contributing to a sense of community spirit.”
“In addition, two automobile ramps-one each along Dearborn and Clark-provide vehicular access to an underground garage. The decision by Jacques Brownson and his colleagues to clad the Daley Center with Cor- Ten steel was a daring innovation at the time of construction.”
“Before construction began on the building and plaza, its architects decided that an important sculpture would be needed as a focal point in the plaza. Wanting a prominent artist, they asked Pablo Picasso to create the monumental design.”