If you walk down the canyon of LaSalle Street in Chicago, your neck is going to hurt. Honestly, the sheer scale of the architecture is overwhelming. But one building usually stops people dead in their tracks: the structure formerly known as the LaSalle National Bank Building. Now, locals usually call it the Field Building or 135 South LaSalle, but the history baked into its limestone walls tells the story of how American business actually works. It isn't just a pile of rocks and steel. It is the literal endpoint of the Art Deco era in Chicago.
Construction finished in 1934. Think about that for a second. The Great Depression was absolutely gutting the American economy, yet the estate of Marshall Field III decided to sink a fortune into this massive project. It was the last major office building erected in the city before World War II basically froze civilian construction.
The LaSalle National Bank Building: More Than Just a Bank
Most people think a bank building is just a place where money sits in a vault. Not this one. The site itself is historical hallowed ground. Before the current skyscraper went up, the Home Insurance Building stood there. Why does that matter? Because most historians consider the Home Insurance Building to be the world's first skyscraper. When they tore it down to build the LaSalle National Bank Building, they were replacing a legend with a giant.
The architecture is a mix of late Art Deco and what some call "Greco-Deco." It’s sleek. It’s vertical. It doesn't have the flamboyant colorful terracotta you see on other 1920s buildings. Instead, it has these polished black granite accents and white oak interiors that feel like a high-end law firm from a movie set.
What happened to LaSalle National Bank?
You won't find "LaSalle Bank" on many signs these days. It’s a bit of a tragedy for Chicago branding. Bank of America swallowed them up in 2007. It was a massive $21 billion deal. Suddenly, the "LaSalle" name—which was synonymous with midwestern middle-market lending—was being scrubbed off the glass doors.
But here is the thing: the building at 135 South LaSalle didn't just disappear. It transitioned. It became a hub for diverse tenants, though it has faced some serious headwinds lately. You've probably heard about the "doom loop" hitting downtown office spaces. This building felt it. When Bank of America moved their primary offices to a shiny new tower at 110 North Wacker in 2021, it left a massive, 800,000-square-foot hole in the building's occupancy. That is a lot of empty desks.
Why the Design Actually Matters Today
Architect Graham, Anderson, Probst & White didn't just build a box. They built a machine. The building has an "E" shaped footprint. Why? Light. Before high-intensity fluorescent bulbs were a thing, you needed windows. If you were stuck in the middle of a massive square building, you couldn't see your paperwork. The design of the LaSalle National Bank Building ensured that almost every office had access to natural sunlight.
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- The air conditioning was a pioneer. It was one of the first major buildings to integrate it.
- The elevators were fast—freakishly fast for the 30s.
- The mail system was a marvel of pneumatic tubes.
It's sorta wild to think about people in wool suits in 1935 feeling "high-tech" because their office had chilled air. We take it for granted now, but back then, it was the ultimate flex.
The Secret of the 43rd Floor
If you ever get the chance to head up to the higher tiers, do it. The building features setbacks. These aren't just for style; they were mandated by the 1923 Chicago Zoning Ordinance. The city didn't want the streets to become dark, airless tunnels. By stepping the building back as it got higher, the architects allowed light to hit the pavement.
The views from the upper floors of 135 South LaSalle are different from the Sears (Willis) Tower. You aren't just looking down at everything; you are part of the skyline. You can see the clock tower of the Chicago Board of Trade building just a block away. It feels like 1940 in the best way possible.
The Fight to Save 135 South LaSalle
The building is currently in a state of reinvention. Because it’s an official Chicago Landmark (designated in 2001), you can't just tear it down or mess with the facade. This is a good thing. However, being a landmark makes it expensive to maintain.
Recently, there has been a massive push to convert these old LaSalle Street offices into apartments. It's part of the "LaSalle Street Reimagined" initiative. The idea is to take these hollowed-out bank headquarters and turn them into thousands of residential units.
Honestly, it’s a gamble.
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The plumbing alone is a nightmare. Taking a floor designed for 200 cubicles and 2 bathrooms and turning it into 15 apartments with 15 kitchens and 15 showers is a massive engineering hurdle. But if they pull it off, the LaSalle National Bank Building will go from a quiet office tomb to a living, breathing community. It’s the only way to save the Loop from becoming a ghost town after 5:00 PM.
Why You Should Care About the History
The LaSalle National Bank was founded in 1927. It grew during the era when Chicago was the "Hog Butcher for the World." It survived the crash. It grew through the post-war boom. When you look at the building, you're looking at the physical embodiment of the city's financial ego.
The lobby is the real star. It’s a two-story masterpiece. The bronze work on the elevator doors is intricate enough to be in a museum. Most people just rush through on their way to a meeting, but if you stop and look up, you’ll see the level of craftsmanship that we simply don't do anymore. It’s too expensive now. Nobody is hiring artisans to hand-buff bronze for a lobby in 2026.
Misconceptions about the building
- It’s the same as the Board of Trade. Nope. They are neighbors, and they look similar because of the Art Deco style, but they are totally different entities.
- It’s just an old, dusty office. Actually, many floors have been gutted and modernized with high-speed fiber and open-concept layouts.
- The name. It hasn't officially been the LaSalle National Bank Building in years, but in the world of Chicago real estate, names die hard.
Navigating the Future of the Loop
If you're an investor or just someone who loves cities, keep your eye on this address. The transition from commercial to residential is the biggest story in urban planning right now. The LaSalle National Bank Building is the "canary in the coal mine." If this building can successfully become luxury or even attainable housing, it proves that the old financial district has a second act.
The city has offered millions in TIF (Tax Increment Financing) to help developers with these conversions. It's a controversial move. Some people think the money should go to the South or West sides. Others argue that if the Loop fails, the whole city's tax base collapses. It’s a messy, complicated debate with no easy answers.
What to look for when you visit
If you find yourself in the Loop, head to the corner of LaSalle and Adams.
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- Look at the verticality. The limestone strips draw your eyes upward, making it feel even taller than its 535 feet.
- Check out the lobby gates. They are heavy, ornate, and scream "your money is safe here."
- Notice the setbacks. Count them as they move toward the "tower" portion of the building.
Actionable Insights for Architecture Enthusiasts and Locals
If you want to truly experience the legacy of the LaSalle National Bank Building, don't just look at it from the sidewalk.
First, check the Chicago Architecture Center schedule. They often run tours that get you into the lobbies of these private buildings where you can see the detail work up close. Second, if you are a business owner looking for space, don't assume these old "bank buildings" are out of reach. With the current vacancy rates, there are some wild deals to be had in historic buildings that offer way more character than a glass box.
Finally, keep an eye on the zoning meetings for the LaSalle Street Reimagined project. The transformation of 135 South LaSalle into residential units will likely include new grocery stores or retail at the base to support the residents. This will fundamentally change the vibe of the street from "suit and tie" to "dog park and coffee shop."
The LaSalle National Bank Building isn't a relic. It's a pivot point. It represents the moment Chicago stopped building up and started building out, and now, it represents the moment we try to bring the soul of the city back to its center. Whether it’s banks or bedrooms, this limestone giant isn't going anywhere. It’s too heavy to fail.
To get the most out of your visit or research, look up the original floor plans at the Chicago History Museum digital archives. You can see the original layout of the vaults, which gives you a sense of just how much physical cash used to flow through those hallways. Understanding the "bones" of the building makes the modern-day changes feel much more significant.
Go see it before the construction scaffolding for the apartment conversion potentially hides the facade for a few years. It's worth the trip.