The Gage building at 18 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, from a postcard produced between 1898 and 1902. Architects Holabird & Roche designed three adjacent buildings on Michigan Avenue for three millinery firms in the late 1890s. The other two buildings (one partially visible at left) display simple brick facades and classic “Chicago windows,” whereas this building was enlivened with an elaborate terra cotta facade by Louis Sullivan, and a street level storefront with intricate metalwork rivaling his designs for the Carson Pire Scott store.
The building was originally eight stories as shown here. In 1902, four stories were added, and Sullivan’s ornamental flourishes at the tops of the piers were moved up to the new height.
The three buildings were designated Chicago landmarks in 1996. Today, the Gage restaurant occupies the ground floor of this building, carrying forward the name of Gage Brothers & Co. for which it was constructed.