Second Leiter Building

Second Leiter Building, Chicago (Historic sites) — Fig. 01Second Leiter Building© Zol87 · CC BY-SA 2.0

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About Second Leiter Building

The Second Leiter Building, also known as the Sears Building or One Congress Center, stands on the northeast corner of South State Street and East Ida B. Wells Drive in Chicago. As one of the earliest surviving commercial buildings in the United States with a steel skeleton frame, it is an important landmark of the Chicago School of Architecture. Designed by William Le Baron Jenney and built in 1891 by Levi Z. Leiter, the eight-story building first housed the Siegel, Cooper and Company department store before serving as the flagship store of Sears, Roebuck and Company from 1931 to 1986. The pink granite facade features nine arched bays on the State Street side and simple cornices. Each floor offers high ceilings and large expanses of windows. After serving as a campus of Robert Morris University until 2020, the building was sold in 2025; future plans, possibly residential use, have not yet been made public.

Based on the article “Second Leiter Building” from the English Wikipedia, summarized and rephrased by a language modelLicense CC BY-SA 4.0

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At a glance

Category: Sight › Historic sites
Rating: no reviews yet · write a review
Address: 401 S State St
60605-1206 Chicago, USA
District: Loop
Phone: —
Website: pdfhost.focus.nps.gov
Email: —
Coordinates: 41.87633° N · -87.62720° E
Data quality: confidence 0.92
Identifier: ID fc6500e1-09a…

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Location & surroundings

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FAQ about Second Leiter Building

quick answers

What is the Second Leiter Building in Chicago?

The Second Leiter Building is an eight-story historic commercial building in Chicago's Loop, built in 1891 by Levi Z. Leiter. Also known as the Sears Building or One Congress Center, it stands at 401 S State St, on the northeast corner of South State Street and East Ida B. Wells Drive. It is considered an important landmark of the Chicago School of architecture.

Why is the Second Leiter Building architecturally significant?

The Second Leiter Building in Chicago is one of the earliest surviving commercial buildings with a steel skeleton frame in the United States. It was designed by architect William Le Baron Jenney. Its hallmarks include a pink granite facade with nine arched bays facing State Street, simple cornices, and high ceilings and large expanses of windows on every floor.

How has the Second Leiter Building been used over time?

The Second Leiter Building in Chicago first housed the Siegel, Cooper and Company department store. From 1931 to 1986, it was the flagship store of Sears, Roebuck and Company, hence the name Sears Building. Robert Morris University then used the building as a campus until 2020; it was sold in 2025, and future plans, possibly residential use, have not yet been made public.

What can you see around the Second Leiter Building in Chicago?

Right near the Second Leiter Building in Chicago's Loop, you'll find more historic buildings. The Old Colony Building is about 145 meters away, and the Mergenthaler Linotype Building is about 189 meters away. That means you can explore the architectural history of the southern Loop on foot over a short distance.

Are there restaurants near the Second Leiter Building?

Yes, there is a wide selection of places to eat around the Second Leiter Building on State Street in Chicago. travelguide195 lists around 194 restaurants within 500 meters of the building in the Loop.

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