The architectural firm now known as Holabird & Root was founded in Chicago in 1880. Over the years, the firm has changed its name several times and adapted to the architectural style then current — from Chicago School to Art Deco to Modern Architecture to Sustainable Architecture.
Operating on a legacy of innovation, Holabird & Root is a full-service architecture, engineering, interior design, and planning firm. Celebrating 135 years of design, the firm is the oldest architecture firm in Chicago. The firm remains a privately held partnership currently operating with three principals and five associate principals.
The original founders, William Holabird and Ossian Cole Simonds, worked in the office of William LeBaron Jenney. They set up their own independent practice, Holabird & Simonds, in 1880 when they took on the project for an extension to Graceland Cemetery, passed on to them by Jenney. In 1881, Martin Roche, who had also worked for Jenney, joined them as a third partner. After only working together on five projects, Simonds left the firm in 1883 to pursue a career as a landscape architect. Holabird, Simonds & Roche became Holabird & Roche. A few years later however, the firm once again collaborated with the ex-partner when, from 1889 to 1895, they designed and built Fort Sheridan, for which Simonds provided the landscaping.
Beginning with the Tacoma Building (completed 1889; demolished 1929), their first major commission, and the Marquette Building (1895), the firm became well known for its groundbreaking Chicago School skyscrapers. An enormously successful practice, they also designed large, ornate hotels across the country, including Chicago's Palmer House.
After the deaths of William Holabird (1923) and Martin Roche (1927), the then renamed Holabird & Root was run by Holabird's son John Augur Holabird and John Wellborn Root, Jr., who had both joined back in 1914. Under their leadership, the firm adopted an Art Deco style. The company name changed to Holabird, Root & Burgee for a while, and two further generations of Holabirds served as partners (up to 1987). Currently located in the Marquette Building, the firm is now again called Holabird & Root, although nobody of either name is involved anymore.
2014
The Breck School• 2014 ALA Design Awards, Institutional Merit AwardEast-West University Student Life Center•2014 Chicago Building Congress Merit Award Finalist for New Construction under $55,000,000Rightpoint Consulting Office Buildout•2014 Chicago Building Congress Merit Award Finalist for Interior BuildoutUniversity of Chicago Midway Studios Renovation•2014 Preservation Excellence Award in Exterior Rehabilitation - City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development2013
J&J Arnaco Monroe Building Restoration and Renovation•ALA Design Awards, Merit AwardUniversity of Chicago Logan Center for Creative and Performing Arts• Chicago Building Congress Merit Award for New Construction in 20122012
J&J Arnaco Monroe Building Restoration and Renovation• Chicago Building Congress Merit Award for Rehab ConstructionJ&J Arnaco Monroe Building Restoration and Renovation• Landmarks Illinois’ Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards, Restoration Project of the YearWaubonsee Community College Plano Classroom Building• ALA Design Awards, Merit Award2011
Chicago Housing Authority Kenmore Senior Apartment Housing• American Society of Interior Designers Design Excellence Award in Green Residential DesignJ&JJ Arnaco Monroe Building Rehabilitation• Chicago Architecture Foundation Patron of the Year Award Excellence in Academic Libraries Award for 2011J&JJ Arnaco Monroe Building Rehabilitation• Friends of Downtown Best Historic Renovation ProjectGrinnell College Noyce Science Center• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering MentoringGrinnell College Noyce Science Center• Excellence in Academic Libraries Award for 2011Heartland Housing inc. Hollywood House Apartments• The Polk Bros. Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award2010
Beloit College Center for the Sciences• Wisconsin Builder 2009 Top ProjectsSt. Olaf College Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences• 2010 Honor Award for Excellence in Masonry Design and Construction2009
Beloit College Center for the Sciences• AIA Chicago Design Excellence AwardChicago Cultural Center Domes Restoration• 2009 Illuminating Engineering Society Illumination Merit AwardChicago Cultural Center Domes Restoration• Chicago Architecture Foundation Patron of the Year AwardChicago Cultural Center Domes Restoration• 2009 AIA Illinois Crombie Taylor AwardSt. Olaf College Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences• Xcel Energy Best Integrated Design in the Energy Assistance Program 2009Village of Oak Park Public Works Facility• ASHRAE Region IV Technology AwardVillage of Oak Park Public Works Facility• ASHRAE Society Level Technology Award Honorable Mention2008
City of Davenport Pedestrian Skybridge• 2008 AIA Illinois Honor AwardDominican University Parmer Hall• Illinois Indiana Masonry Council Silver AwardFirst Presbyterian Church of Deerfield• Illinois Indiana Masonry Council Craftsmanship AwardLake View Presbyterian Church Exterior Historic Restoration• Landmarks Illinois’ Richard H. Driehaus Foundation 2008 Preservation AwardMarquette Building Exhibition• Friends of Downtown 2008 Coolest Thing AwardChicago Cultural Center Domes Restoration• 2008 Chicago Landmark Award for PreservationChicago Cultural Center Domes Restoration• Midwest Construction Best of 2008 Renovation/Restoration Project of the YearOpus North Corporation Landmark of Lake Forest Master Plan and Office Building Development• National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) 2008 Suburban Office Development of the YearVillage of Oak Park Public Works Facility• American Public Works Association-Suburban Chicago Metro Chaper 2008 Project Excellence AwardVillage of Oak Park Public Works Facility• American Public Works Association-Suburban Chicago Metro Chaper 2008 Project of the Year AwardVillage of Oak Park Public Works Facility• ASHRAE Illinois Chapter 2008 Excellence in Engineering Award2007
Drake University Olin Hall Renovation and Addition• Association of Licensed Architects Design Award of MeritGrinnell College Conard Environmental Research Area• AIA Chicago Sustainable Design Award2006
The Zweig Letter 2006 Hot Firm ListGrinnell College Conard Environmental Research Area Education Center• Environmental Design + Construction Excellence in Design Awards FinalistCity of Davenport Pedestrian Skybridge • American Institute of Steel Construction IDEAS2 Merit Award WinnerLake View Presbyterian Church Exterior Historic Restoration• AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award2005
Truman State University Fine and Performing Arts Center• Association of Licensed Architects Design Award of MeritCity of Davenport Pedestrian Skybridge• National Council of Structural Engineers Association 2005 Excellence in Structural Engineering AwardCity of Milwaukee North Avenue Dam Pedestrian Bridge• AIA Chicago Divine Detail AwardForest Hills Public School District Fine Arts Center• AIA Michigan Honor Award for Building DesignForest Hills Public School District Fine Arts Center• AIA Grand Valley (Michigan) Building Award and Sustainable Design AwardForest Hills Public School District Fine Arts Center• AIA Wisconsin Merit AwardSchauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse• United States Institute for Theatre Technology Merit Award2004
AIA Illinois Distinguished Firm Award
Forest Hills Public School District Fine Arts Center• American School and University Education Excellence Specialized Facility AwardAquinas College/Circle Theater/Catholic Secondary Schools Performing Arts Center• Association of Licensed Architects Silver Design AwardCentral College, Vermeer Science Center• AIA Chicago Sustainable Design AwardCentral College, Vermeer Science Center• Environmental Design + Construction Excellence in Design Awards Honorable MentionCentral College, Vermeer Science Center• Region VI ASHRAE Technology AwardCentral College, Vermeer Science Center• Minnesota ASHRAE Technology AwardSchauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse• National Council of Structural Engineers Association 2004 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award2003
Rochester Public Schools Folwell School• Committee on Urban Design and Environment of the City of Rochester, MN Historic Preservation AwardUS Department of Energy/Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Wilson Hall Renovations• Illinois Engineering Council Outstanding Engineering AchievementForest Preserve District of DuPage County Mayslake Peabody Mansion Renovation• Regional Finals ASHRAE Excellence in EngineeringLoras College Academic Resource Center• Association of Licensed Architects Design Award of MeritSchauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse• AIA Wisconsin Merit AwardNewaygo Foundation Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts• Association of Licensed Architects Silver Design AwardWittenberg University Kuss Science Center Renovation and Addition• Associated Builders and Contractors Ohio Valley Chapter Institutional Construction Award of ExcellenceHines Development Corporation Woodfield Corporate Center 425/475 Lobby and Bridge Renovation• Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Chicago2002
Eastern Illinois University Booth Library Renovation and Expansion• AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Award for Sensitive RenovationLake Forest High School East Campus Raymond Moore Auditorium Renovation Addition• Association of Licensed Architects Renovation Design Award of MeritCity of Milwaukee North Avenue Dam Pedestrian Bridge• Design Competition CommissionCity of Davenport Pedestrian Skybridge• Design Competition CommissionForest Preserve District of DuPage County Mayslake Peabody Mansion • Illinois Chapter ASHRAE Excellence in Engineering AwardSchauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse • Midwest Construction Magazine Rehabilitation Project of the Year2001
Schauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse • Association of Licensed Architects Presidential AwardSchauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse • Association of Licensed Architects Rehabilitation Design Award of ExcellenceSchauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse • Structural Engineers Association of Illinois Special Project AwardJudson College Central Library and Academic Center• Association of Licensed Architects Unbuilt Design Award of ExcellenceIllinois Institute of Technology McCormick-Tribune Campus Center• The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award and Exhibit2000
AIA Chicago Firm of the Year Award
Grinnell College Noyce Science Center • Association of Licensed Architects Design Award of ExcellenceIBM Mid America Employees Federal Credit Union • Association of Licensed Architects Design Award of ExcellenceCity of Chicago Public Building Commission Goldblatt’s Building Renovation • Chicago Building Congress Reconstruction Award of MeritCity of Chicago Public Building Commission Goldblatt’s Building Renovation• Commission on Chicago Landmarks Excellence in Historic RestorationCity of Chicago Public Building Commission Goldblatt’s Building Renovation• Midwest Construction “Best of 200” Renovation Award of MeritSharon’s California House II• Residential Architect Magazine Award of Merit• Custom Home Magazine Award of Merit1999
Caryl’s California House I• Structural Engineers Association of Illinois Special Project Award of MeritNorthwestern University Allison Hall Dining Facility Addition and Renovation• Illinois Council of American Registered Architects Design Award of HonorUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison Law School Addition and Renovation • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award of MeritSharon’s California House II • Society of American Registered Architects National Design Award of MeritNorthwestern University Allison Hall Dining Facility Addition and Renovation• Society of American Registered Architects National Design Award of MeritNorthwestern University Galter Health Sciences Library Renovation and Expansion• Society of American Registered Architects National Design Award of Honor1998
Sharon’s California House II• AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award of HonorUniversity of St. Thomas Frey Science and Engineering Center• Design-Build Institute of America National Excellence AwardUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison Law School Addition and Renovation • The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award1997
University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School Addition and Renovation • Wisconsin Society of Architects AIA Honor AwardMacalester College Olin & Rice Halls of Science Addition and Renovation• Minnesota ASHRAE First Place Award Existing Institutional BuildingsIBM 020 Building Renovation• Region VI ASHRAE First Place Award Existing Commercial BuildingsIBM Mid America Employees Federal Credit Union• Metal Architecture Award of Merit1996
Caryl’s California House I• AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award of Merit1995
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning• AIA Chicago Distinguished Building AwardMotorola, Inc. Land Mobile Products Sector, Customers Center for Systems Integration• AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Award1994
Motorola, Inc. Land Mobile Products Sector Customers Center for Systems Integration• New Chicago Interiors Distinguished Interior AwardUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture & Urban Planning • Wisconsin Society of Architects AIA Merit AwardAmoco Corporation, Chicago, Illinois • Lighting Chicago Institute Award of Merit for Lighting ExcellenceNorthern Illinois Gas Company Corporate Headquarters, Naperville, Illinois •Chicago Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Illumination Design Award1993
The University of Chicago Kersten Physics Teaching Center • Association of University Architects Honor AwardState of Illinois Judicial and Office Complex Renovation and Addition • Thomas H. Madigan Award Special Merit Award for Complex RenovationState of Illinois Judicial and Office Complex Renovation and Addition • Buildings Magazine Modernization Awards Competition Honorable MentionChicago Board of Trade • The Chicago Athenaeum 50-Year Award1992
Offices of Holabird & Root • AIA Chicago Interior Architecture AwardThe Bridget Entrance to the Offices of Holabird & Root • AIA Chicago Divine Detail AwardIllinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law • AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Honor Award1991
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Digital Computer Laboratory Addition • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building AwardIllinois Bell Telephone Remote Switching Unit, Lincolnshire • AIA Chicago Divine Detail AwardKemper Corporation Headquarters, Long Grove, Illinois • Illinois ASHRAE Energy Design AwardSt. Clement’s Church Restoration, Chicago, Illinois • Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art & Architecture (IFRAA) Restoration Honor Award1990
St. Clement’s Church Restoration • AIA Chicago Distinguished Restoration Award
1989
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago • AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Honor AwardHenry Crown Sports Pavilion Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris Aquatics Center • Athletic Business Facility of MeritChicago Historical Society Addition and Renovation • Commercial Renovation Renovation Award1988
Chicago Historical Society Addition and Renovation • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building AwardChicago Historical Society • Building Design & Construction Reconstruction AwardCamp Madron, Buchanan, Michigan • Progressive Architecture Architectural Design Award1987
Camp Madron Housing, Michigan • Progressive Architecture Award1986
The University of Chicago Kersten Physics Teaching Center • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building AwardFoellinger Auditorium Addition and Restoration • Illinois-Indiana Masonry Council Gold Medal Award1985
Foellinger Auditorium Addition and Restoration • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building AwardThe University of Chicago Kersten Physics Teaching Center • Progressive Architecture Award1984
Northwestern University Law School/American Bar Center • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Honor AwardSaenger Theatre Restoration, Pensacola, Florida • Governor’s Design AwardNorthwestern University Law School Addition/American Bar Center • Structural Engineers Association of Illinois Award of Merit1983
AIA Architecture Firm Award
1982
Saenger Theatre Restoration • AIA Florida Chapter Honor Award
1981
Hollister Inc. Corporate Headquarters Research and Development Facility • AIA Chicago Chapter Distinguished Building Honor AwardHollister Inc. Corporate Headquarters Research and Development Facility • ASHRAE Energy Conservation Award1980
Monsanto Company Environmental Health Laboratory • AIA National Honor AwardNorthwestern University Memorial Hospital Health Sciences Building • UCLA School of Architecture and Urban Planning/Columbia University/Architectural Record Outstanding Health Care Design Award1979
Monsanto Company Environmental Health Laboratory • Industrial Research/Development Magazine Honor Award/Laboratory of the YearNorthwestern University Memorial Hospital Health Sciences Building • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building AwardChicago Public Library/Cultural Center • AIA National Honor Award1978
Monsanto Company Environmental Health Laboratory • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Honor AwardBedford Park Fire Station • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building AwardChicago Public Library/Cultural Center • AIA Chicago Citation of MeritChicago Public Library/Cultural Center • Architectural Record Distinguished Interiors1977
Hollister, Inc., Stuarts Draft, Virginia • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building AwardLincoln National Corporation • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award1976
Oak Brook Village Hall • Metropolitan Chicago Masonry Council Excellence in Masonry Honor AwardIllinois Bell Telephone 4-A Equipment Building and Tower • The Bell Telephone System National Honor Award, Honor Award, and Merit AwardOak Brook-West Suburban Headquarters • The Bell Telephone System Central Region Merit Award1974
Illinois Bell Telephone 4-A Equipment Building and Tower• AIA National Honor Award
Graceland Cemetery Chapel, 1888Pontiac Building, 1891Monadnock Building (southern half), 1893McConnell Apartments, 1210 North Astor, Chicago, Illinois, 1897Gage Group Buildings, 1899Chicago Building, 1904Oliver Building, 1907 & 1920University Club of Chicago, 1908Cook County Courthouse/Chicago City Hall, 1910Muehlebach Hotel, 1915Memorial Stadium (Champaign), 1923Chicago Temple Building, 1923Nicollet Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1924Soldier Field, 1924Palmer House Hotel, 1925Pedestals for Ivan Meštrović's The Bowman and The Spearman statues, 1926Stevens Hotel, 1927Evanston Masonic Temple, Evanston, Illinois, 1927333 North Michigan Building, Chicago, Illinois, 1928Palmolive Building, Chicago, 1929Chicago Daily News Building, Chicago, 1929Rand Tower, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1929Chicago Motor Club Building, Chicago, 1929Chicago Board of Trade Building, Chicago, 1930Henry Crown Field House, Chicago, 1931University of Illinois Ice Arena, 1931Jefferson County Courthouse (Birmingham, Alabama), 1929-1932Wrigley Field Hand-turned Scoreboard and Center Field Bleachers, 1937Mason City Public Library, Mason City, Iowa, 1939North Dakota State Capitol Building, Bismarck, North Dakota, 1934Statler Hotel Washington, 1943Foster Walker Complex, Northwestern University, 1973Northwestern University Law School Renovation and Addition, Chicago, Illinois, 1984Kersten Physics Teaching Center, University of Chicago, 1985Foellinger Auditorium gallery addition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1985Skybridge, City of Davenport, Iowa, 2005Grinnell College Conard Environmental Research Area Education Center (LEED Gold Certified), Grinnell, Iowa, 2005Peninsula Players Theater, Fish Creek, Wisconsin, 2006Grinnell College Noyce Science Center Phases I & II (LEED Silver Certified), Grinnell, Iowa, 2008St. Olaf College Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (LEED Platinum Certified), Northfield, Minnesota, 2008Beloit College Center for the Sciences (LEED Platinum Certified), Beloit, Wisconsin, 2008General Services Administration Training Center Addition and Childcare Center, 2009Heartland Housing, Inc. Hollywood House Apartment Building Modernization, Chicago, Illinois, 2009Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Early Childhood Center, Edwardsville, Illinois, 2009Namaste Charter School Renovation and Addition, Chicago, Illinois, 2009University of Illinois at Springfield Brookens Library Master Plan Study, Springfield, Illinois, 2009New York University Abu Dhabi Peer Review of Plan for New Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2009Waubonsee Community College Plano Classroom Building, Plano, Illinois, 2010Winona State University Integrated Wellness Center, Winona, Minnesota, 2010University of South Dakota Slagle Hall Auditorium Renovation, Vermillion, South Dakota, 2010Ogle County Courthouse Renovation, Oregon, Illinois, 2010Mason City Public Library Master Plan, Renovation and Addition Mason City, Iowa, 2010University of Chicago Midway Studios Renovation, Chicago, Illinois, 2010Higher Learning Commission Office Buildout, Chicago, Illinois, 2010Chicago Housing Authority Kenmore Senior Apartment Building, Chicago, Illinois, 2011City Colleges of Chicago Malcolm X College Laboratory Renovations, Chicago, Illinois, 2011Walgreens Co. Office Renovation, Deerfield, Illinois, 2011Rightpoint Consulting Office Buildout 1.0, Chicago, Illinois, 2011Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Various Task Orders, Chicago, Illinois, 2011University of Chicago Reva and David Logan Center for Creative and Performing Arts (with Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects), Chicago, Illinois, 2012Monroe Building Rehabilitation and Restoration, Chicago, Illinois, 2012School of the Art Institute of Chicago Champlain Building Roof and Facade Renovation, Chicago, Illinois, 2012Chicago Housing Authority Various Task Orders, Chicago, Illinois, 2012City Colleges of Chicago Kennedy-King College Dentistry Hygiene Clinic Renovation, Chicago, Illinois, 2012Breck School Master Plan, Renovation, and Expansion, Golden Valley, Minnesota, 2013Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Various Task Orders, Chicago, Illinois, 2013Chicago Housing Authority Various Task Orders, Chicago, Illinois, 2013Rightpoint Consulting Office Buildout 2.0, Chicago, Illinois, 2013Drake University STEM Complex Master Plan, Des Moines, Iowa, 2013East-West University Student Center, Chicago, Illinois, 2013Rightpoint Consulting Office Buildout 2.0, Chicago, Illinois, 2013Western Illinois University Quad Cities Campus Programming, Master Plan and Design Build, Moline, Illinois, 2014Harper College Campus Buildings D, G, & H, Palatine, Illinois, 2014Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Complex, Effingham, Illinois, 2014Riverbend Commons Mixed-Use Urban Development Master Plan, Moline, Illinois, 2014Northwestern University School of Law Rubloff Building Atrium Addition, Chicago, Illinois, 2015
