American Book Company Building
320-334 E. Cermak Road
The stately brick and stone American Book Company building
is an integral component in the trio of historic warehouse
buildings located at the intersection of Cermak Road and
Calumet Avenue. The area is ripe for additional hotel space
to compliment the expanding McCormick Place convention
center. Without public intervention and protections by the
City of Chicago, a recently proposed hotel project,
may destroy this unique slice of Chicago’s history.
History
The handsome brick building at the corner of Cermak Road and Calumet Avenue was constructed in
1912 for the American Book Company. In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, American was the
worlds leading publisher of textbooks. Their textbooks and reading series had a tremendous influence
on the youth of the era. American occupied the site for several decades and their longtime neighbor,
R. R. Donnelly & Sons was the most recent occupant of the building. It is currently vacant. The structure
features Romanesque arched windows at the pedestrian level and vernacular three-bay windows on the
upper levels. The bulk of the building is sensitively lightened by horizontal stone bands at the base and
upper levels. A recognizable architectural feature is the 2-story tower that extends above the main
entrance. The tower is highlighted by tapered corners and features several ornamental carvings, including the
winged-book logo of the American Book Company. Architect N. Max Dunning was responsible for numerous
Chicago buildings in the early decades of the 20th Century. His facilities struck a pleasant balance between
the industrial needs of manufacturing facilities and the lighting and human-scale aesthetics appreciated by
workers, residents, and visitors. Some of his other notable projects include: American
Furniture Mart (Erie and Lake Shore Drive), Chicago Federation of Musicians building
(175 W. Washington), Church of Christ Scientist (301 N. Central), Charles Antoine
Home (4940 S. Kimbark), and 14th Church of Christ Scientist (4440 N. Paulina).
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