Marquette Building: Elevator Grille Base 1893 - 1895

This is an elevator grille base, made by Holabird and Roche for the Marquette Building. It is currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago. This fragment of architectural ornament speaks volumes about early skyscraper design and the cultural narratives embedded within Chicago’s urban landscape. As elevators were becoming commonplace, their design was still viewed as an important signifier of progress. Here, the geometric patterns of the grille are not just decorative; they symbolize modernity and efficiency. Consider the labor involved in creating such a piece. The skilled workers who crafted this grille were often immigrants, their contributions shaping the city's identity. This piece embodies the aspirations of a burgeoning metropolis and also asks us to consider whose stories are told and whose labor is seen, or unseen.