About the Fisher Building Chicago

Located at 343 S Dearborn Street, the Fisher Building Chicago is a 20-story, 275-foot neo-Gothic landmark at the northern edge of the Printer's Row neighborhood. Commissioned by paper magnate Lucius Fisher and completed by D. H. Burnham & Company in 1896, it is one of the most ornamented examples of Chicago School skyscraper design.

Today the Fisher Building Chicago operates as rental apartments, with studio, convertible, one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts plus penthouse residences, giving renters the chance to live inside one of the Loop's most decorated architectural landmarks.

Fisher Building History

The Fisher Building Chicago was commissioned by paper magnate Lucius Fisher and completed in 1896 by D. H. Burnham & Company, with Charles B. Atwood serving as lead designer. An addition doubling the building's footprint was completed in 1907, designed by Peter J. Weber, a former Burnham firm employee.

The Fisher Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 16, 1976, and designated an official Chicago Landmark on June 7, 1978, recognizing it as a defining example of the early Chicago skyscraper.

Architectural Significance

The Fisher Building is celebrated for its light, open steel-cage structure and its playful, ornamented facade. Notable characteristics include:

• A steel cage frame sheathed in a curtain wall of decorative terra cotta and glass
• Neo-Gothic detailing rare among Chicago School commercial buildings
• Terra-cotta ornamentation depicting fish, crabs, eagles, salamanders, dragons, and other mythical creatures — a playful nod to the Fisher name
• Wide window bays maximizing natural light for tenants
• A 1907 addition by Peter J. Weber that expanded the building while preserving its original character

The building's abundant use of glass and light-colored terra cotta was considered remarkably progressive for its era, prioritizing tenant light and ventilation over the heavier masonry styles that preceded it.

Printing House Row District

The Fisher Building sits within Chicago's Printing House Row District, a National Register historic district recognized for its concentration of architecturally significant late-19th-century commercial buildings along South Dearborn Street.

Today, the surrounding blocks combine:

• Landmark early skyscrapers
• Restaurants and cafés
• Cultural destinations
• Downtown Loop employment access
• Residential communities

It's one of Chicago's most architecturally significant streets, home to a concentration of buildings central to the invention of the modern skyscraper.

Location Overview

343 S Dearborn Street sits at the northern gateway to Printer's Row, within easy reach of:

• Chicago Loop business district
• LaSalle Street financial corridor
• Grant Park
• Harold Washington Library Center
• Union Station
• Downtown entertainment venues

The Fisher Building stands directly beneath the Chicago Loop elevated tracks, immediately across from the Monadnock Building and a short walk from the Old Colony and Manhattan Buildings.

Nearby Major Landmarks

Restaurants

Coffee Shops

Grocery Stores & Daily Shopping

Shopping Near the Fisher Building

Parks & Outdoor Recreation

Fitness Centers & Wellness

Museums & Attractions

Performing Arts

CTA Train Stations

Metra, Bus & Bike

Bus: CTA routes run along Jackson Boulevard, Dearborn Street, and State Street.

Bike: Divvy bike-share stations throughout the Loop and South Loop, with dedicated bike lanes nearby.

Healthcare Near the Fisher Building

Schools & Education

Hotels Near the Fisher Building

Banking & Parking

Neighborhood Lifestyle Summary

Living at the Fisher Building Chicago provides access to a highly walkable Chicago lifestyle. Residents are close to:

• ✓ Historic Printer's Row
• ✓ Downtown Loop offices
• ✓ Restaurants and cafés
• ✓ Museums and cultural attractions
• ✓ Parks and lakefront recreation
• ✓ Public transportation
• ✓ Universities and schools

The area combines some of Chicago's most decorated early skyscraper architecture with the convenience of modern apartment living.

A Typical Day Near the Fisher Building

Morning

Coffee at Dollop Coffee Co. or Intelligentsia; a walk through Printer's Row past the Monadnock and Manhattan Buildings; commuting via the Loop elevated tracks or CTA Blue/Red Lines.

Afternoon

Downtown offices, the Harold Washington Library Center, restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions.

Evening

Dinner at a South Loop restaurant, live jazz at the Jazz Showcase, events at Millennium Park, or a walk through Grant Park with lake views.

Ideal Residents

Downtown Professionals

Ideal for those working in the Loop financial district, legal offices, government buildings, and corporate offices — the location reduces commuting time and sits directly on the Loop elevated tracks.

Architecture & History Enthusiasts

A rare chance to live inside one of the most ornamented buildings in Chicago School history, with preserved terra-cotta detailing and a storied past.

People Who Prefer Walkable Living

Restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks, transit, and cultural attractions are all within walking distance.

Renters & Households

First-Time Renters

With studio and convertible layouts available, the Fisher Building is an accessible entry point for renters looking to live in Printer's Row and the Loop.

Students & Young Professionals

Convenient for those connected to Columbia College Chicago, Roosevelt University, and downtown employers.

Larger Households

Two- and three-bedroom units plus penthouse layouts make the building suitable for roommates, couples, and small families.

Spring & Summer

Spring

Walking paths, outdoor photography, gardens, and lakefront views at Grant Park; historic architecture walks past the Fisher, Monadnock, and Manhattan Buildings.

Summer

Outdoor concerts and public art at Millennium Park; the Printers Row Lit Fest and Printers Row Art Fest along South Dearborn Street; cycling, running, and walking along the lakefront.

Fall & Winter

Fall

Chicago architecture tours highlighting the birth of the skyscraper on Dearborn Street; museum visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and The Field Museum.

Winter

Ice skating and holiday events at Millennium Park; live jazz at the nearby Jazz Showcase; theater and entertainment downtown.

Advantages of the Location

1. Unmatched Architectural Character

Few residential buildings anywhere feature terra-cotta fish, crabs, and mythical creatures woven into their facade — a genuinely playful piece of skyscraper history.

2. Exceptional Downtown Access

Sits directly beneath the Loop elevated tracks, with the Blue and Red Line stations a short walk away.

3. Strong Walkability

Dining, coffee, transit, parks, and attractions are reachable without a car for many daily activities.

4. Range of Unit Sizes

From studios to three-bedroom apartments and penthouses, the building offers options for a wide range of renters.

Considerations About the Building & Area

Rental, Not Condo Ownership

Unlike several buildings in this series, the Fisher Building operates as rental apartments rather than for-sale condominiums, so it suits renters more than buyers.

Elevated Train Noise

Units facing the Loop elevated tracks may experience train noise; prospective residents should ask about unit placement when touring.

Downtown Environment

As with many central Chicago locations, residents should expect pedestrian activity, downtown noise, and busy streets during events.

Explore More Printer's Row Guides

About This Guide Series

This page is part of a series of in-depth guides to historic Printer's Row buildings in Chicago's South Loop, each covering building history, architecture, and neighborhood amenities in detail.

See our Near South Side real estate guide for the full neighborhood overview, or the Loop real estate guide for the adjacent downtown market.