Photograph courtesy of Richard Nickel.

Louis Sullivan is regarded highly by historians and architects as a pioneer in American commercial architecture. As an exemplary model of his work, the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building showcases his philosophy of form following function. Built in 1899 for dry goods merchant Schlesinger-Mayer, it was his last commercial commission as an independent architect. The building was erected in two phases. In 1899, Sullivan designed a nine-story building. The second building, which is annexed to the first, is 12 stories high and was built in 1903. Burnham and Root was the architectural firm hired for this later addition, although they based their designs entirely on Sullivan's work.

An iron and steel framework supports this National Historic Landmark, which is most notable for its elaborate ironwork ornament on the first and second floor facades. A light-colored terra cotta covers the third through 12th floors. Sullivan's designs combine organic and geometric shapes in intricate and delicate patterns that are the hallmark of his work. The interior space is mixed-use on all floors with main stairways in the northeast and southeast corners of the building. Very few alterations have been made, but the one significant change was the removal of the projecting cornice at the roof line. It was replaced by a terra cotta parapet.

Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company bought out Schlesinger-Mayer in 1904. The building has continually operated as a department store. Saks Incorporated acquired Carson, Pirie, Scott, and Company in 1998, but it still retains the same name.

The Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company building is located at 1 State St. on the southeast corner of State and Madison streets in the Loop. The building is open to the public during normal business hours, call 312-641-7000 or visit Carson's for further information.