Chicago Public Library/Cultural Center: 78 East Washington

Originally the first home of the Chicago Public Library, the Chicago Cultural Center was designed by the Boston architectural firm of Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge in 1897. The building’s Preston Bradley Hall contains the world’s largest Louis Comfort Tiffany art glass dome, with approximately 30,000 pieces of glass spanning more than 1,000 square feet. The restoration project was funded in part with City TIF assistance, a HUD Grant, a State of Illinois Museum Grant, and a grant from AMEX/NTHP Partners in Preservation, and private donations. Work included removing the outer concrete dome that had been added during the 1930s and allowing natural light to once again fill the hall as originally intended. The project required repair or replacement of 1,800 cracked or broken pieces of glass. The cast-iron ribs of the dome were restored to the original surface treatment, which investigation revealed to be gold-colored aluminum leaf. In addition to the restoration work, a new accent-lighting system has also been installed. The Chicago Public Library/Cultural Center has been a designated Chicago Landmark since November 15, 1976. (Photo courtesy of Holabird & Root)