Rubloff Building

Rubloff Building. A prominent commercial skyscraper located in the heart of Chicago's Loop, the Rubloff Building stands as a significant example of mid-century corporate architecture. Completed in 1965, the thirty-story tower was developed by the influential real estate firm Arthur Rubloff & Co. and designed by the noted architectural and engineering firm A. Epstein and Sons. For decades, it has been a fixture of the city's financial and legal district, housing prestigious tenants and contributing to the dense urban fabric of North Michigan Avenue and East Wacker Drive.

History

The building's development was spearheaded by legendary real estate magnate Arthur Rubloff, whose firm had already reshaped significant portions of Chicago's downtown, including the famed Magnificent Mile. Construction commenced during a period of significant post-war growth for the city, with the general contracting work handled by the national firm Turner Construction. Upon its completion, the tower immediately became a headquarters for Arthur Rubloff & Co. itself, solidifying its status within the city's commercial landscape. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the building maintained a strong presence in the Loop, witnessing the evolution of the surrounding area from the construction of the Metropolitan Correctional Center to the later development of modern skyscrapers like the Aon Center.

Architecture

Designed by A. Epstein and Sons, the Rubloff Building is a clear expression of the International Style, emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and the use of modern materials. Its sleek, rectilinear form is clad in a curtain wall of alternating bands of aluminum and tinted glass, a common motif in corporate architecture of the 1960s. The building rises as a simple, elegant slab, with its most distinctive feature being the prominent, gridded mechanical penthouse crown. This design ethos connects it to other contemporary Chicago works by firms like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who championed similar aesthetic principles in structures such as the Federal Center and the IBM Building.

Tenants and uses

Historically, the building has attracted a mix of prominent legal, financial, and professional service firms, capitalizing on its central location near courts like the Dirksen Federal Building and financial institutions along LaSalle Street. For many years, it served as the headquarters for the developer, Arthur Rubloff & Co.. Major law firms, including Sidley Austin, have maintained offices within the tower. The building's ground floor has typically housed retail and banking establishments catering to the downtown workforce, while upper floors provide conventional office space. Its tenancy has reflected the building's enduring position within Chicago's professional ecosystem, adjacent to landmarks like the Chicago River and the Wrigley Building.

Ownership and management

Following its development, the building was owned and managed by entities associated with Arthur Rubloff & Co. and its principals. In subsequent decades, ownership transferred to various institutional and private real estate investment groups. Like many older office towers in major cities, it has been subject to portfolio acquisitions by large investment firms and real estate investment trusts (REITs) seeking assets in prime urban locations. Property management has typically been handled by specialized commercial firms with extensive portfolios in Chicago and other major markets like New York City and Los Angeles.

In popular culture

The Rubloff Building's distinctive modernist appearance has made it a recognizable backdrop in films and television series set in Chicago. It has featured in scenes depicting the city's bustling downtown, often used to establish a corporate or legal setting. While not as frequently featured as landmarks like Willis Tower or the Tribune Tower, its architecture lends an authentic period-specific atmosphere to productions set in the mid-to-late 20th century. The building's exterior has appeared in various location shots that capture the architectural density of the Loop and the Chicago River corridor.

Category:Skyscrapers in Chicago Category:Office buildings in Chicago Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1965