Chicago Varnish Company Building facts for kids
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Chicago Varnish Company Building
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 Location in Central Chicago
Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 33 W. Kinzie St. Chicago, Illinois |
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| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | Henry Ives Cobb |
| Architectural style | Dutch Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000649 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 14, 2001 |
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The Chicago Varnish Company Building is an old and interesting building in Chicago, Illinois. It was built in 1895. This building was once the main office for a very important company that made varnish. Varnish is a clear coating used to protect wood.
This building is special because of its unique look. It shows a rare style called Dutch Renaissance Revival. This style makes the building stand out in Chicago. It has a very steep roof and special "stepped gables." These are like stair-shaped parts on the roofline. The building uses red brick and light stone that look great together.
The famous architect Henry Ives Cobb designed this building. He also designed other important places in Chicago. These include the Newberry Library and some of the first buildings at the University of Chicago. The Chicago Varnish Company Building became a historic place in 2001. It was also named a Chicago Landmark in the same year.
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About the Building's Design
The Chicago Varnish Company Building is known for its special design. It uses the Dutch Renaissance Revival style. This style brings back ideas from old Dutch buildings.
What Makes It Unique?
One key feature is its steeply pitched roof. This means the roof goes up very sharply. Another cool part is the "stepped gables." These are decorative walls that rise in steps above the roofline. The building also uses two different colors of material. It has bright red bricks mixed with lighter stone. This creates a striking look.
What's Inside Now?
After many years, the building was carefully fixed up. This included replacing its special roof tiles. The stepped walls were also rebuilt.
A Famous Restaurant
Today, the building is home to Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse. This popular restaurant opened its doors in 1987. It is named after a famous baseball announcer. The restaurant is known for its delicious food and great service.
Fun Things to See Inside
Inside the restaurant, you can find many cool items. These are often related to Harry Caray and baseball. One fun piece is a "Holy Cow" statue. It even wears Harry Caray's famous eyeglasses! This statue came from Chicago's "CowParade" art event.
