30 May adler and sullivan’s guaranty building lobby as it appeared shortly after it was senselessly renovated

looking over newspapers on the guaranty building, i discovered plans were announced in jan. of 1951 to do away with the original open-cage sullivan-designed elevator enclosures within the guaranty building (adler & sullivan, 1896).

the “modernization” would cost 20,000, which included new otis elevator cabs ordered to replace the “antiquated cages.” at ryerson, i finally found and scanned 35mm contact prints (1961) showing just how bad the alterations were. i believe the photos were taken by nickel.

the installation of single balusters (mounted upside down) above the elevator doors is laughable. nearly all of the copper-plated elevator ironwork – executed by winslow brothers – was scrapped.

a few pieces were saved however, including an original cast iron ceiling escutcheon (courtesy of the bldg. 51 museum collection) and an elevator medallion (courtesy of tim samuelson).

guaranty building lobby was restored in the early 1980’s, which including replicating the elevator cages and/or enclosures and ceiling and wall fixtures.

guaranty building lobby was restored in the early 1980’s, which including replicating the elevator cages and/or enclosures and ceiling and wall fixtures. the winslow brothers staircase and wall mosaic panels are original to the building.

from concept to completion: louis h. sullivan-designed copper-plated cast iron guaranty building (1896) staircase baluster. executed by the winslow brothers, chicago, ills.

in 1983 the lobby was restored – recreating the elevator enclosures, restoring the art glass skylights and mosaics, and light fixtures.

1961 images courtesy of the richard nickel archive, ryerson and burnham archives, art institute of chicago. the color images – showing the lobby after its restoration courtesy of cannon design.

additional images and artifacts pertaining to this post below: