Home Insurance Building

Home Insurance Building
Black-and-white photograph of the Home Insurance Building
Map
General information
TypeOffice
LocationChicago, Illinois, United States
Coordinates41°52′47″N 87°37′55″W / 41.8796°N 87.6320°W / 41.8796; -87.6320
Construction started1884
Completed1885 [1]
Demolished1931
Height
RoofOriginally 138 feet (42.1 meters)
Top floorAfter addition of the final two floors – 180 feet (55 meters)
Technical details
Floor count10 (later 12)
Design and construction
Architect(s)William Le Baron Jenney
References
[2]

The Home Insurance Building was a skyscraper that stood in Chicago from 1885 to its demolition in 1931. Originally ten stories and 138 ft (42.1 m) tall, it was designed by William Le Baron Jenney in 1884 and completed the next year. Two floors were added in 1891, bringing its now finished height to 180 feet (54.9 meters). It was the first tall building to be supported both inside and outside by a fireproof structural steel frame, though it also included reinforced concrete. It is considered the world's first skyscraper.

  1. ^ Smith, Chrysti M. (2006). Verbivore's Feast: Second Course: More Word & Phrase Origins. Farcountry Press. p. 289. ISBN 9781560374022. Retrieved January 19, 2012. The word skyscraper, in its architectural context, was first applied to the Home Insurance Building, completed in Chicago in 1885.
  2. ^ "Home Insurance Building". SkyscraperPage.