The Rookery: A Building Book from the Chicago Architecture Foundation

by Jay Pridmore

Praised in 1888 as the largest and finest office building in the country--all eleven stories--The Rookery featured both masonry load-bearing walls and skeletal frame construction. Architect John Wellborn Root lavished exquisite care on The Rookery, built on the site of the former City Hall and named after its dirty pigeons and corrupt politicians. Frank Lloyd Wright modernized The Rookery in 1905, changing the light fixtures and covering old dark iron surfaces with incised Carrara marble. Today The Rookery stands as a first-class office building. By Jay Pridmore, photographs by Hedrich Blessing. Published with the Chicago Architecture Foundation.

Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Ana Rusness-petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book with one spectacular Richard Nickel photo - interesting history of renovations and a good lesson of how a historic building can continue to have a leading role in modern society - and look impressive!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a frequent visitor to Chicago who has passed The Rookery many times, and as a city planner who appreciates the significance of some of the city's architecture, this small book interested me.  It was pretty much what you'd expect, with lots of stunning photographs.  I'm happy to have this gem in my book collection.

[Erin Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

📖 great introduction book for the Rookery building and its history. Beautiful pictures and a super cute size and cover. Honestly big fan of the cover being of the entry door instead of the staircase.

[Jonathon Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of the architectural history of The Rookery. I wish it went more into the original construction and contained more early photos, but perhaps the photos don't exist.

[Barb Innes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fit in with my re-read of The Devil in the White City! Brought the architectural elements of the Rookery (We visited) into a better understanding! Short read but history and illustrations were awesome! I love FLW and he did a renovation!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A coworker loaned this to me, because I'm a giant Burnham and Root nerd, and this did not help matters. :) It's so gorgeous.