Delaware Building

Landmark Context

Delaware Building is fixed in the city's landmark record at 36 W Randolph St. The current city data lists it as dating to a construction date of 1872-74 and credits Wheelock & Thomas,2 story add + atrium 1889 Huber. It was designated on November 23, 1983. Delaware Building keeps commercial development, architectural branding, and corridor and downtown change attached to one building instead of dissolving into general background.

At Delaware Building, the most useful field notes usually begin with storefront depth, upper-floor expression, and corner treatment, then move outward to how the facade addresses pedestrian traffic and later signage, infill, or reuse. Seen that way, the landmark helps explain how commercial architecture stayed visible even as the economic life around it changed.

Research Starting Points

Delaware Building can be carried further through trade press and city directories, permit files and assessor records, and historic photographs and newspaper coverage. Those materials are where architecture, use, and later stewardship begin to line up against each other.

Delaware Building is already usable now without pretending the historical work is finished.