Dexter Building facts for kids

The Dexter Building was a very important building in Chicago, Illinois. It was located at 630 South Wabash Avenue, in an area called the South Loop. This building was designed by famous architects Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan and was built in 1887.

The Dexter Building was one of the oldest buildings still standing that Louis Sullivan designed. Many people saw it as an early example of his work, leading up to the nearby Auditorium Building. Because it was so special, it was named a Chicago Landmark in 1996. Experts said it was a vital part of the work from one of America's most important architecture teams. The building was unique because of its special exterior design, which used perforated metal beams.

History of the Dexter Building

The Dexter Building was ordered by Wirt Dexter, who was a lawyer and real estate developer in Chicago. When it was first built, it was used as a factory and a place to show furniture for a company called R. Deimel & Brothers.

Later, in 1967, a restaurant called the George Diamond Steak House moved into the building. The floors above the restaurant were used by the Sawyer Secretarial College.

The Fire and What Happened Next

On October 24, 2006, a big fire started in the Dexter Building. It began when people were cutting up an old boiler in the basement using special torches. These torches caused sparks that led to the fire.

The fire quickly grew very large and damaged the inside of the building badly. At its worst, it was a "five-alarm fire," which is the highest level of emergency for the Chicago Fire Department. More than 250 firefighters came to help put out the blaze.

After the fire, the building's outer walls were still standing, but they were too weak and unsafe to keep. Because of this, the Dexter Building had to be taken down.

Images for kids

• 

  The Dexter Building under demolition following the fire.