R.R. Donnelley and Sons Co. Calumet Plant

Coordinates: 41°51′13″N 87°37′5″W / 41.85361°N 87.61806°W / 41.85361; -87.61806
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

R.R. Donnelley and Sons Co. Calumet Plant
Chicago Landmark
Charles Zeller Klauder
Architectural styleEnglish Gothic
NRHP reference No.83000308
Significant dates
Added to NRHPFebruary 17, 1983
Designated CLMarch 31, 2004[4]

The R.R Donnelley Printing Plant, sometimes known as the Calumet Plant or the Lakeside Plant and now known as the Lakeside Technology Center, was built between 1912 and 1929 to house the operations of the

Digital Realty Trust operating as a carrier hotel and data center. The newly outfitted building was the first and largest planned carrier hotel in the United States.[5]

The building was designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw to be a fireproof design of poured reinforced concrete columns and an open-shell concrete floor.[6] Although considered to be expensive by the standards of that time, T.E. Donnelley agreed that the support would be needed for the many tons of paper they used and large presses they operated. Supported by 4,675 steel-reinforced concrete columns, this type of construction not only served the Donnelley well, it also provided the perfect infrastructure for future tenants. To further the building's support structure, reinforcing bars, normally laid perpendicular, were laid at various angles enabling the floors to bear loads of at least 250 pounds per square foot.

Current major tenants of the building include the

CenturyLink
.

Exterior ornaments depict symbols of printing history. Portions of the building, including the interior Memorial Library, were designed by architect Charles Klauder.

  • View from west
    View from west
  • Corner tower
    Corner tower
  • Base of tower
    Base of tower
  • Detail of piers
    Detail of piers

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Most Powerful Building". The Chief Engineer. April 2006. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  2. ^ "350 East Cermak Road : Chicago Data Center". Digital Realty Trust. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  3. ^ "Lakeside Press Building, Chicago". Emporis.com. Retrieved October 27, 2008.[dead link]
  4. ^ "R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co. Calumet Plant". City of Chicago Dept. of Pl. and Devpmt., Landmarks Div. 2003. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  5. ^ "Feature-Lakeside Tech Center". Progressive Engineer. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  6. ^ "Serving, Saving & Saluting the South Loop". Columbia College Chicago. Retrieved October 27, 2008.