Sullivan Center - Louis Sullivan Masterwork

Stop on Historic Chicago Loop Walking Tour, a free self-guided tour.

Head north to State and Madison Streets to see the Sullivan Center, formerly Carson Pirie Scott department store, designed by Louis Sullivan and completed in 1904. This building showcases Sullivan's philosophy that form follows function with its distinctive rounded corner entrance bay and extensive cast-iron ornament. The intricate cast-iron decoration around the base features swirling organic patterns typical of Sullivan's style, often called the father of modernism. The upper floors display the horizontal Chicago windows emphasizing the building's steel frame. The white terra cotta facade contrasts dramatically with the ornate dark ironwork below. Sullivan designed this as a modern department store with large display windows attracting shoppers. The rotunda at the corner of State and Madison, once called the busiest corner in the world, served as a grand entrance. Daniel Burnham's firm completed the building after Sullivan's involvement ended. The store occupied the building until 2007, maintaining its commercial purpose for over a century. The building represents Sullivan's mature style combining engineering honesty with artistic ornament. His famous dictum that ornament should be integral to structure is perfectly demonstrated here. The building is both a National Historic Landmark and Chicago Landmark preserving Sullivan's genius.