400-408 North Clark Street

Before the Chicago Fire of 1871, this part of North Clark Street was densely built up with stores, hotels, and theaters.  The collection of four brick storefront buildings still standing at 400-408 North Clark Street were part of the intense post-fire redevelopment that occurred in the years immediately following the fire

.  Title records suggest  Matthias Schaub built the two north buildings in 1872 and Henry Apfel the two south buildings in 1873.   Typical of small-scale 1870s commercial construction with their tall windows, with stone lintels or shallow brick arches above, the buildings all once sported wood or metal cornices at their tops.  A variety of small stores were located in these buildings throughout the years, with hotel rooms and offices in the upper floors.  Chicago's first professional architect, John M. Van Osdel, had his offices on the upper floor for 406 North Clark Street in 1882, while the Acme Hotel was at 400 North Clark, presently home to Citibank,  throughout the 1920s.