Carson Pirie Scott: Louis Sullivan and the Chicago Department Store

Chicago Architecture and Urbanism

by Joseph M. Siry

Long recognized as a Chicago landmark, the Carson Pirie Scott Building also represents a milestone in the development of architecture. The last large commercial structure designed by Louis Sullivan, the Carson building reflected the culmination of the famed architect's career as a creator of tall steel buildings. In this study, Joseph Siry traces the origins of the building's design and analyzes its role in commercial, urban, and architectural history.

Genres: Nonfiction, Architecture

298 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 1988

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where I got the book: purchased used through Amazon.

The focus of this book is the building of the Carson Pirie Scott building on Chicago’s State Street, which was slightly later than the period I was researching, but there was so much useful information about the earlier development of State Street and department stores in general that I ended up buying a copy. Add to that the fact that it’s written in a very readable, entertaining style, contains loads of useful illustrations—photos, maps, and diagrams—has good notes and a very decent bibliography, and this one’s a keeper. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in the history of downtown Chicago.

[Rebecca B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed and well researched, gives a comprehensive understanding of this building. Amazing for research