Chicago's Manhattan
William Le Baron Jenney was a pioneering architect. He is credited with designing the
metal skeletal-framing system which was used, in 1884, to construct a new-fangled building called a skyscraper. When he drew up the plans for the Manhattan in 1891, this iron framework supported the first 16 story structure ever built, and for a brief time, the tallest building in the world.
It was also the first building constructed with set backs and, although you can't see it,
the first skyscraper constructed with a sophisticated wind-bracing system.
The alternating rounded and angled bays which run up the front of the building at
different heights, makes what could have been a very ordinary office tower, much more interesting. In addition to the decorative ornamentation he added to the underside of the bays.
When this section of downtown Chicago was in decline in the late 1970s and most of the
office tenants were leaving the area, instead of tearing down the Manhattan a developer decided to convert the building into residential condominiums. When the new Manhattan came on the market in the early '80s, the old building still had another first left in its long life - the largest building to undergo such a conversion up to that time.
Posted by designslinger at 3/1/2010 1:16 AM 
Categories: Architecture, History, Preservation
Tags: Manhattan Building Chicago William Le Baron Jenney skyscrapers steel frame construction
Categories: Architecture, History, Preservation
Tags: Manhattan Building Chicago William Le Baron Jenney skyscrapers steel frame construction
This is one of my favorite buildings in Chicago! I love the detailing!
It's a keeper - ain't it!