At 140 S Dearborn St in Chicago’s Loop, the Marquette Building is an early 1890s example of Chicago School architecture. Step into its lobby to see Tiffany mosaics, reliefs and murals about the Marquette expeditions, alongside a small exhibit on Native American history in the Chicago area. The lobby is free to enter, so it’s an easy stop on a walk between nearby historic buildings. Look up at the steel-framed skyscraper’s brick and terra-cotta exterior before you go inside.
A Chicago School landmark
Built in the early 1890s, the Marquette Building is an early steel-framed skyscraper and an example of Chicago School architecture. Its exterior combines a steel skeleton with brick and terra cotta. The reddish surface has darkened over time, while the building’s Chicago-style windows and structural lines remain visible from the street.
The building takes its name from Jacques Marquette, a French Jesuit missionary and explorer who was in the area from 1674 to 1675. It was designated a Chicago landmark in 1975. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is now based here and oversaw a restoration.
Mosaics, reliefs and local history
The lobby’s Tiffany mosaics use vivid colors that catch the light. Reliefs and figures add detail to the interior, while murals depict the Marquette expeditions. The artwork gives the entrance a different character from the street-facing exterior.
A small exhibit covers Native American history and tribes in the Chicago area. It also includes material about the Loop’s lost landmark buildings. Allow time to look around the lobby and read the displays before continuing your walk through the area.
FAQ
Is the Marquette Building free to visit?
The lobby is free to enter.
What can you see inside the Marquette Building?
The lobby has Tiffany mosaics, reliefs, figures and murals about the Marquette expeditions. A small exhibit covers Native American history in the Chicago area and lost Loop buildings.
Where is the Marquette Building?
It is at 140 S Dearborn St in Chicago.
