Chicago Masonic Temple

The Chicago Masonic Temple was a skyscraper built in 1892 at the corner of Randolph and State Streets and designed by the architecture firm Burnham & Root. One of the city's first high-rises, it took full advantage of the height limit of the time and was for a while considered the tallest building in the world. The 22-story building, arranged around a central courtyard, housed shops and offices on its lower floors, while the top floors served as meeting rooms for the Freemasons. This arrangement was driven by tax considerations, since religious organizations could rent out property tax-free. The space was also used for theater events, which often overwhelmed the elevators. In 1939, the temple was demolished because of the high cost of adapting its foundations during subway construction. Today, the Joffrey Tower stands on the site.