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 Award
East-West University Student Life Center•2014 Chicago Building Congress Merit Award Finalist for New Construction under $55,000,000
Rightpoint Consulting Office Buildout•2014 Chicago Building Congress Merit Award Finalist for Interior Buildout
University of Chicago Midway Studios Renovation•2014 Preservation Excellence Award in Exterior Rehabilitation - City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development
2013
J&J Arnaco Monroe Building Restoration and Renovation•ALA Design Awards, Merit Award
University of Chicago Logan Center for Creative and Performing Arts• Chicago Building Congress Merit Award for New Construction in 2012
2012
J&J Arnaco Monroe Building Restoration and Renovation• Chicago Building Congress Merit Award for Rehab Construction
J&J Arnaco Monroe Building Restoration and Renovation• Landmarks Illinois’ Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards, Restoration Project of the Year
Waubonsee Community College Plano Classroom Building• ALA Design Awards, Merit Award
2011
Chicago Housing Authority Kenmore Senior Apartment Housing• American Society of Interior Designers Design Excellence Award in Green Residential Design
J&JJ Arnaco Monroe Building Rehabilitation• Chicago Architecture Foundation Patron of the Year Award Excellence in Academic Libraries Award for 2011
J&JJ Arnaco Monroe Building Rehabilitation• Friends of Downtown Best Historic Renovation Project
Grinnell College Noyce Science Center• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring
Grinnell College Noyce Science Center• Excellence in Academic Libraries Award for 2011
Heartland Housing inc. Hollywood House Apartments• The Polk Bros. Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award
2010
Beloit College Center for the Sciences• Wisconsin Builder 2009 Top Projects
St. Olaf College Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences• 2010 Honor Award for Excellence in Masonry Design and Construction
2009
Beloit College Center for the Sciences• AIA Chicago Design Excellence Award
Chicago Cultural Center Domes Restoration• 2009 Illuminating Engineering Society Illumination Merit Award
Chicago Cultural Center Domes Restoration• Chicago Architecture Foundation Patron of the Year Award
Chicago Cultural Center Domes Restoration• 2009 AIA Illinois Crombie Taylor Award
St. Olaf College Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences• Xcel Energy Best Integrated Design in the Energy Assistance Program 2009
Village of Oak Park Public Works Facility• ASHRAE Region IV Technology Award
Village of Oak Park Public Works Facility• ASHRAE Society Level Technology Award Honorable Mention
2008
City of Davenport Pedestrian Skybridge• 2008 AIA Illinois Honor Award
Dominican University Parmer Hall• Illinois Indiana Masonry Council Silver Award
First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield• Illinois Indiana Masonry Council Craftsmanship Award
Lake View Presbyterian Church Exterior Historic Restoration• Landmarks Illinois’ Richard H. Driehaus Foundation 2008 Preservation Award
Marquette Building Exhibition• Friends of Downtown 2008 Coolest Thing Award
Chicago Cultural Center Domes Restoration• 2008 Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation
Chicago Cultural Center Domes Restoration• Midwest Construction Best of 2008 Renovation/Restoration Project of the Year
Opus 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 Year
Village of Oak Park Public Works Facility• American Public Works Association-Suburban Chicago Metro Chaper 2008 Project Excellence Award
Village of Oak Park Public Works Facility• American Public Works Association-Suburban Chicago Metro Chaper 2008 Project of the Year Award
Village of Oak Park Public Works Facility• ASHRAE Illinois Chapter 2008 Excellence in Engineering Award
2007
Drake University Olin Hall Renovation and Addition• Association of Licensed Architects Design Award of Merit
Grinnell College Conard Environmental Research Area• AIA Chicago Sustainable Design Award
2006
The Zweig Letter 2006 Hot Firm List
Grinnell College Conard Environmental Research Area Education Center• Environmental Design + Construction Excellence in Design Awards Finalist
City of Davenport Pedestrian Skybridge • American Institute of Steel Construction IDEAS2 Merit Award Winner
Lake View Presbyterian Church Exterior Historic Restoration• AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award
2005
Truman State University Fine and Performing Arts Center• Association of Licensed Architects Design Award of Merit
City of Davenport Pedestrian Skybridge• National Council of Structural Engineers Association 2005 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award
City of Milwaukee North Avenue Dam Pedestrian Bridge• AIA Chicago Divine Detail Award
Forest Hills Public School District Fine Arts Center• AIA Michigan Honor Award for Building Design
Forest Hills Public School District Fine Arts Center• AIA Grand Valley (Michigan) Building Award and Sustainable Design Award
Forest Hills Public School District Fine Arts Center• AIA Wisconsin Merit Award
Schauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse• United States Institute for Theatre Technology Merit Award
2004
AIA Illinois Distinguished Firm Award
Forest Hills Public School District Fine Arts Center• American School and University Education Excellence Specialized Facility Award
Aquinas College/Circle Theater/Catholic Secondary Schools Performing Arts Center• Association of Licensed Architects Silver Design Award
Central College, Vermeer Science Center• AIA Chicago Sustainable Design Award
Central College, Vermeer Science Center• Environmental Design + Construction Excellence in Design Awards Honorable Mention
Central College, Vermeer Science Center• Region VI ASHRAE Technology Award
Central College, Vermeer Science Center• Minnesota ASHRAE Technology Award
Schauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse• National Council of Structural Engineers Association 2004 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award
2003
Rochester Public Schools Folwell School• Committee on Urban Design and Environment of the City of Rochester, MN Historic Preservation Award
US Department of Energy/Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Wilson Hall Renovations• Illinois Engineering Council Outstanding Engineering Achievement
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Mayslake Peabody Mansion Renovation• Regional Finals ASHRAE Excellence in Engineering
Loras College Academic Resource Center• Association of Licensed Architects Design Award of Merit
Schauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse• AIA Wisconsin Merit Award
Newaygo Foundation Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts• Association of Licensed Architects Silver Design Award
Wittenberg University Kuss Science Center Renovation and Addition• Associated Builders and Contractors Ohio Valley Chapter Institutional Construction Award of Excellence
Hines Development Corporation Woodfield Corporate Center 425/475 Lobby and Bridge Renovation• Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Chicago
2002
Eastern Illinois University Booth Library Renovation and Expansion• AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Award for Sensitive Renovation
Lake Forest High School East Campus Raymond Moore Auditorium Renovation Addition• Association of Licensed Architects Renovation Design Award of Merit
City of Milwaukee North Avenue Dam Pedestrian Bridge• Design Competition Commission
City of Davenport Pedestrian Skybridge• Design Competition Commission
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Mayslake Peabody Mansion • Illinois Chapter ASHRAE Excellence in Engineering Award
Schauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse • Midwest Construction Magazine Rehabilitation Project of the Year
2001
Schauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse • Association of Licensed Architects Presidential Award
Schauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse • Association of Licensed Architects Rehabilitation Design Award of Excellence
Schauer Arts and Activities Center Renovation and Adaptive Reuse • Structural Engineers Association of Illinois Special Project Award
Judson College Central Library and Academic Center• Association of Licensed Architects Unbuilt Design Award of Excellence
Illinois Institute of Technology McCormick-Tribune Campus Center• The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award and Exhibit
2000
AIA Chicago Firm of the Year Award
Grinnell College Noyce Science Center • Association of Licensed Architects Design Award of Excellence
IBM Mid America Employees Federal Credit Union • Association of Licensed Architects Design Award of Excellence
City of Chicago Public Building Commission Goldblatt’s Building Renovation • Chicago Building Congress Reconstruction Award of Merit
City of Chicago Public Building Commission Goldblatt’s Building Renovation• Commission on Chicago Landmarks Excellence in Historic Restoration
City of Chicago Public Building Commission Goldblatt’s Building Renovation• Midwest Construction “Best of 200” Renovation Award of Merit
Sharon’s California House II• Residential Architect Magazine Award of Merit• Custom Home Magazine Award of Merit
1999
Caryl’s California House I• Structural Engineers Association of Illinois Special Project Award of Merit
Northwestern University Allison Hall Dining Facility Addition and Renovation• Illinois Council of American Registered Architects Design Award of Honor
University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School Addition and Renovation • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award of Merit
Sharon’s California House II • Society of American Registered Architects National Design Award of Merit
Northwestern University Allison Hall Dining Facility Addition and Renovation• Society of American Registered Architects National Design Award of Merit
Northwestern University Galter Health Sciences Library Renovation and Expansion• Society of American Registered Architects National Design Award of Honor
1998
Sharon’s California House II• AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award of Honor
University of St. Thomas Frey Science and Engineering Center• Design-Build Institute of America National Excellence Award
University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School Addition and Renovation • The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award
1997
University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School Addition and Renovation • Wisconsin Society of Architects AIA Honor Award
Macalester College Olin & Rice Halls of Science Addition and Renovation• Minnesota ASHRAE First Place Award Existing Institutional Buildings
IBM 020 Building Renovation• Region VI ASHRAE First Place Award Existing Commercial Buildings
IBM Mid America Employees Federal Credit Union• Metal Architecture Award of Merit
1996
Caryl’s California House I• AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award of Merit
1995
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning• AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award
Motorola, Inc. Land Mobile Products Sector, Customers Center for Systems Integration• AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Award
1994
Motorola, Inc. Land Mobile Products Sector Customers Center for Systems Integration• New Chicago Interiors Distinguished Interior Award
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture & Urban Planning • Wisconsin Society of Architects AIA Merit Award
Amoco Corporation, Chicago, Illinois • Lighting Chicago Institute Award of Merit for Lighting Excellence
Northern Illinois Gas Company Corporate Headquarters, Naperville, Illinois •Chicago Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Illumination Design Award
1993
The University of Chicago Kersten Physics Teaching Center • Association of University Architects Honor Award
State of Illinois Judicial and Office Complex Renovation and Addition • Thomas H. Madigan Award Special Merit Award for Complex Renovation
State of Illinois Judicial and Office Complex Renovation and Addition • Buildings Magazine Modernization Awards Competition Honorable Mention
Chicago Board of Trade • The Chicago Athenaeum 50-Year Award
1992
Offices of Holabird & Root • AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Award
The Bridget Entrance to the Offices of Holabird & Root • AIA Chicago Divine Detail Award
Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law • AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Honor Award
1991
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Digital Computer Laboratory Addition • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award
Illinois Bell Telephone Remote Switching Unit, Lincolnshire • AIA Chicago Divine Detail Award
Kemper Corporation Headquarters, Long Grove, Illinois • Illinois ASHRAE Energy Design Award
St. Clement’s Church Restoration, Chicago, Illinois • Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art & Architecture (IFRAA) Restoration Honor Award
1990
St. Clement’s Church Restoration • AIA Chicago Distinguished Restoration Award
1989
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago • AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Honor Award
Henry Crown Sports Pavilion Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris Aquatics Center • Athletic Business Facility of Merit
Chicago Historical Society Addition and Renovation • Commercial Renovation Renovation Award
1988
Chicago Historical Society Addition and Renovation • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award
Chicago Historical Society • Building Design & Construction Reconstruction Award
Camp Madron, Buchanan, Michigan • Progressive Architecture Architectural Design Award
1987
Camp Madron Housing, Michigan • Progressive Architecture Award
1986
The University of Chicago Kersten Physics Teaching Center • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award
Foellinger Auditorium Addition and Restoration • Illinois-Indiana Masonry Council Gold Medal Award
1985
Foellinger Auditorium Addition and Restoration • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award
The University of Chicago Kersten Physics Teaching Center • Progressive Architecture Award
1984
Northwestern University Law School/American Bar Center • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Honor Award
Saenger Theatre Restoration, Pensacola, Florida • Governor’s Design Award
Northwestern University Law School Addition/American Bar Center • Structural Engineers Association of Illinois Award of Merit
1983
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 Award
Hollister Inc. Corporate Headquarters Research and Development Facility • ASHRAE Energy Conservation Award
1980
Monsanto Company Environmental Health Laboratory • AIA National Honor Award
Northwestern University Memorial Hospital Health Sciences Building • UCLA School of Architecture and Urban Planning/Columbia University/Architectural Record Outstanding Health Care Design Award
1979
Monsanto Company Environmental Health Laboratory • Industrial Research/Development Magazine Honor Award/Laboratory of the Year
Northwestern University Memorial Hospital Health Sciences Building • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award
Chicago Public Library/Cultural Center • AIA National Honor Award
1978
Monsanto Company Environmental Health Laboratory • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Honor Award
Bedford Park Fire Station • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award
Chicago Public Library/Cultural Center • AIA Chicago Citation of Merit
Chicago Public Library/Cultural Center • Architectural Record Distinguished Interiors
1977
Hollister, Inc., Stuarts Draft, Virginia • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award
Lincoln National Corporation • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award
1976
Oak Brook Village Hall • Metropolitan Chicago Masonry Council Excellence in Masonry Honor Award
Illinois Bell Telephone 4-A Equipment Building and Tower • The Bell Telephone System National Honor Award, Honor Award, and Merit Award
Oak Brook-West Suburban Headquarters • The Bell Telephone System Central Region Merit Award
1974
Illinois Bell Telephone 4-A Equipment Building and Tower• AIA National Honor Award
Graceland Cemetery Chapel, 1888
Pontiac Building, 1891
Monadnock Building (southern half), 1893
McConnell Apartments, 1210 North Astor, Chicago, Illinois, 1897
Gage Group Buildings, 1899
Chicago Building, 1904
Oliver Building, 1907 & 1920
University Club of Chicago, 1908
Cook County Courthouse/Chicago City Hall, 1910
Muehlebach Hotel, 1915
Memorial Stadium (Champaign), 1923
Chicago Temple Building, 1923
Nicollet Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1924
Soldier Field, 1924
Palmer House Hotel, 1925
Pedestals for Ivan Meštrović's The Bowman and The Spearman statues, 1926
Stevens Hotel, 1927
Evanston Masonic Temple, Evanston, Illinois, 1927
333 North Michigan Building, Chicago, Illinois, 1928
Palmolive Building, Chicago, 1929
Chicago Daily News Building, Chicago, 1929
Rand Tower, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1929
Chicago Motor Club Building, Chicago, 1929
Chicago Board of Trade Building, Chicago, 1930
Henry Crown Field House, Chicago, 1931
University of Illinois Ice Arena, 1931
Jefferson County Courthouse (Birmingham, Alabama), 1929-1932
Wrigley Field Hand-turned Scoreboard and Center Field Bleachers, 1937
Mason City Public Library, Mason City, Iowa, 1939
North Dakota State Capitol Building, Bismarck, North Dakota, 1934
Statler Hotel Washington, 1943
Foster Walker Complex, Northwestern University, 1973
Northwestern University Law School Renovation and Addition, Chicago, Illinois, 1984
Kersten Physics Teaching Center, University of Chicago, 1985
Foellinger Auditorium gallery addition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1985
Skybridge, City of Davenport, Iowa, 2005
Grinnell College Conard Environmental Research Area Education Center (LEED Gold Certified), Grinnell, Iowa, 2005
Peninsula Players Theater, Fish Creek, Wisconsin, 2006
Grinnell College Noyce Science Center Phases I & II (LEED Silver Certified), Grinnell, Iowa, 2008
St. Olaf College Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (LEED Platinum Certified), Northfield, Minnesota, 2008
Beloit College Center for the Sciences (LEED Platinum Certified), Beloit, Wisconsin, 2008
General Services Administration Training Center Addition and Childcare Center, 2009
Heartland Housing, Inc. Hollywood House Apartment Building Modernization, Chicago, Illinois, 2009
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Early Childhood Center, Edwardsville, Illinois, 2009
Namaste Charter School Renovation and Addition, Chicago, Illinois, 2009
University of Illinois at Springfield Brookens Library Master Plan Study, Springfield, Illinois, 2009
New York University Abu Dhabi Peer Review of Plan for New Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2009
Waubonsee Community College Plano Classroom Building, Plano, Illinois, 2010
Winona State University Integrated Wellness Center, Winona, Minnesota, 2010
University of South Dakota Slagle Hall Auditorium Renovation, Vermillion, South Dakota, 2010
Ogle County Courthouse Renovation, Oregon, Illinois, 2010
Mason City Public Library Master Plan, Renovation and Addition Mason City, Iowa, 2010
University of Chicago Midway Studios Renovation, Chicago, Illinois, 2010
Higher Learning Commission Office Buildout, Chicago, Illinois, 2010
Chicago Housing Authority Kenmore Senior Apartment Building, Chicago, Illinois, 2011
City Colleges of Chicago Malcolm X College Laboratory Renovations, Chicago, Illinois, 2011
Walgreens Co. Office Renovation, Deerfield, Illinois, 2011
Rightpoint Consulting Office Buildout 1.0, Chicago, Illinois, 2011
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Various Task Orders, Chicago, Illinois, 2011
University of Chicago Reva and David Logan Center for Creative and Performing Arts (with Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects), Chicago, Illinois, 2012
Monroe Building Rehabilitation and Restoration, Chicago, Illinois, 2012
School of the Art Institute of Chicago Champlain Building Roof and Facade Renovation, Chicago, Illinois, 2012
Chicago Housing Authority Various Task Orders, Chicago, Illinois, 2012
City Colleges of Chicago Kennedy-King College Dentistry Hygiene Clinic Renovation, Chicago, Illinois, 2012
Breck School Master Plan, Renovation, and Expansion, Golden Valley, Minnesota, 2013
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Various Task Orders, Chicago, Illinois, 2013
Chicago Housing Authority Various Task Orders, Chicago, Illinois, 2013
Rightpoint Consulting Office Buildout 2.0, Chicago, Illinois, 2013
Drake University STEM Complex Master Plan, Des Moines, Iowa, 2013
East-West University Student Center, Chicago, Illinois, 2013
Rightpoint Consulting Office Buildout 2.0, Chicago, Illinois, 2013
Western Illinois University Quad Cities Campus Programming, Master Plan and Design Build, Moline, Illinois, 2014
Harper College Campus Buildings D, G, & H, Palatine, Illinois, 2014
Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Complex, Effingham, Illinois, 2014
Riverbend Commons Mixed-Use Urban Development Master Plan, Moline, Illinois, 2014
Northwestern University School of Law Rubloff Building Atrium Addition, Chicago, Illinois, 2015
