03 Feb imporant architectural artifacts from lucius g. fisher’s neo-gothic fisher building chicago skyscraper added to bld. 51 museum’s ever expanding collection in january, 2026
February 3, 2026
in Bldg. 51, Events & Announcements, Featured Posts, Miscellaneous, New Acquisitions, New Products, Salvages, Uncategorized
several architectural elements from d.h. burnham and company’s fisher building (1896) and addition (1907) were recently purchased for the bld. 51 museum collection and archive. highlights include, but not limited to, a cast iron winslow brothers lobby level elevator floor indicator panel with opposed figural fish and yale and towne emblematic gothic style hardware featuring fish and monogrammed backblates with encircled letter.
the fisher building located at 343 south dearborn street in the chicago loop, is a historic 20-story skyscraper completed in 1896. designed by charles atwood of d.h. burnham & company, it is one of the oldest standing 18+ story buildings in the city and was designated a chicago landmark in 1978. today, the building serves primarily as a luxury residential community known as fisher building apartments.
architecture and design:
- neo-gothic style: inspired by european cathedrals, the building features a steel-frame structure covered in a curtain wall that is roughly 75% glass and 25% terra cotta.
- whimsical ornamentation: the facade is famous for its intricate terra cotta carvings. as a visual pun on the original owner’s name, lucius fisher, the lower floors are decorated with aquatic life such as fish, crabs, starfish, and seashells. the upper floors feature more traditional gothic elements like eagles, dragons, and mythical beasts.
- expansion: originally 18 stories tall, a northern addition designed by peter j. weber was added in 1907, raising the building to its current 20 stories and 275 feet.
the 1907 addition:
in 1906–1907, a significant addition was constructed on the building’s north side.
- architect: the addition was designed by peter j. weber, a former employee of daniel burnham’s firm who had previously worked on the original structure.
- structural impact: it effectively “grafted” a new tower onto the north wall, increasing the building’s height from 18 to 20 stories.
- design continuity: the addition repeats many of the original gothic elements, though some of the most intricate ornamental flourishes remain more concentrated on the south end.
