33 North LaSalle Street, IL
SOCOTEC, is helping preserve one of Chicago's historic 1929 office towers through expert façade evaluation, repair design and long-term building envelope planning.
Key Information
Project Name: 33 North LaSalle Street
Client: The John Buck Company
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Services Provided: Building Envelope Consulting
Talk to our experts
The Challenge
Caring for a Historic Masonry and Terra Cotta Façade
Rising 482 feet above Chicago's central business district, 33 North LaSalle has been part of the city's skyline since its completion in 1929. Nearly a century later, it remains a working commercial office tower and its exterior has to perform as well as it looks.
The building's envelope is a multi-wythe masonry system enriched with terra cotta architectural elements, including:
- Sills
- Lintels
- Spandrel panels
These materials give the tower its historic character. Over time, however, the building had experienced deterioration and deficiencies within the masonry and terra cotta façade systems.
For The John Buck Company, the challenge was twofold. The Owner needed an accurate picture of the envelope's current state. Just as importantly, it needed a repair approach that would protect long-term durability while respecting the building's historic exterior.
The Solution
Building Envelope Expertise, From Evaluation to Strategy
Our Building Envelope team in Chicago began with a close look at how the façade was really performing.
Fieldwork also included preparation for a cleaning mock-up.
From those findings, we developed a practical path forward. Our scope included:
- Façade condition evaluation of the masonry and terra cotta systems
- Repair recommendations targeting each issue identified
- Repair schematics to guide the work
- Restoration strategies that balance performance and preservation
- Long-term capital project planning support, covering stone repairs, façade maintenance and ornamental metal restoration
Rather than treating each issue in isolation, this approach connects today's repairs to the Owner's future plans. It gives The John Buck Company a forward-looking view of the work ahead.
Our Building Envelope team in Chicago began with a close look at how the façade was really performing.
Fieldwork also included preparation for a cleaning mock-up.
From those findings, we developed a practical path forward. Our scope included:
- Façade condition evaluation of the masonry and terra cotta systems
- Repair recommendations targeting each issue identified
- Repair schematics to guide the work
- Restoration strategies that balance performance and preservation
- Long-term capital project planning support, covering stone repairs, façade maintenance and ornamental metal restoration
Rather than treating each issue in isolation, this approach connects today's repairs to the Owner's future plans. It gives The John Buck Company a forward-looking view of the work ahead.
The Results
A Clear Roadmap for a Chicago Landmark
Our engagement began in 2025 and is ongoing. It is already delivering lasting value:
- Safety: Addressing façade deterioration early helps reduce risks for occupants, pedestrians and the surrounding streets.
- Informed decision-making: The John Buck Company has a documented assessment of façade conditions and repair needs.
- Durability: Repair recommendations support the long-term performance of the masonry and terra cotta systems.
- Preserved character: The repair approach respects the original design of a façade that has shaped downtown Chicago for nearly a century.
- Smarter capital planning: Ongoing support helps the Owner plan future façade investments.
For the wider community, the project contributes to preserving a historic Chicago office tower that remains in active commercial use.
Planning façade repairs on a historic building?
