Daily News Building
2 N. Riverside Plaza
The former home of the Chicago Daily News is an architectural
gem that features an elegant art deco design. The site also
includes an impressive pedestrian plaza that allows downtown
workers to enjoy the riverfront against the backdrop of the
historic Lyric Opera building. Without any local protections,
the historic structure is vulnerable to alterations that deface its
elegance, destroy its human-scale, and erode the quality of life
for downtown workers and visitors
History
The Chicago Daily News was an afternoon newspaper for Chicago’s masses. Founded by Melville Stone
in 1875, the daily paper thrived under the guidance of the longtime editor and owner Victor Lawson.
The Pulitzer-award winning newspaper moved into a new 26-story headquarters building designed by
architects Holabird and Root in 1929. Their work has shaped the Loop and many commercial districts
throughout Chicago and other large cities. The Chicago Daily News building is notable not only for its
rich art deco design and detailing but also because it was the first significant commercial building to
embrace its riverfront location. Prior to this building, most businesses turned their backside to the river,
seeing it merely as a conduit for freight transportation and waste disposal. The Chicago Daily News building
opened up to the river by creating a lively pedestrian plaza fronting the river. This plaza remains actively
used today and serves as a gathering place for countless downtown workers and visitors. The building is also
notable for its pioneering use of air rights above an active railroad right-of-way.
The building also featured a renowned mural by John W. Norton. Previously
located on the ceiling of the lobby used by commuters, the mural is currently in
storage awaiting conservation and restoration. While located in this headquarters
building, the Chicago Daily News was a leader in nationally syndicated
news columns and featured a top-notch foreign news service. During the hey-day
period from 1929 to 1959, the paper was awarded the Pulitzer Prize eight times.
Prominent writers such as Carl Sandburg and Mike Royko wrote for the newspaper.
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