Century Building

Landmark Context

Century Building comes into public view at 202 South State St in the Chicago landmark record. City records connect the site to a construction date of 1915-16 and credits Holabird & Roche, William Sevic. It was designated on April 13, 2023. Century Building becomes more than a passing image once those facts are held together with commercial development, architectural branding, and corridor and downtown change.

Century Building becomes materially clearer through storefront depth, upper-floor expression, and corner treatment, how the facade addresses pedestrian traffic, and later signage, infill, or reuse. The point is not just to admire the building but to understand how commercial architecture stayed visible even as the economic life around it changed.

Research Starting Points

Century Building becomes a stronger research subject once the record expands into trade press and city directories, permit files and assessor records, and historic photographs and newspaper coverage. That source trail can connect landmark status to ownership, alteration, and the changing role of the site in its block or corridor.

Century Building still needs permits, photographs, and comparison, but the landmark record gives that work a stable point of return.