Dating back to the late 1920s, the Palmolive may just be the coolest condo high-rise in all of Chicago. The vintage building gains its namesake from none other than the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Corporation.
Not long after the building opened, crews added a rotating beacon to its very top, used to help guide in airplanes to a safe landing at Midway Airport. Named to honor aviator Charles Lindbergh, the site became one of the city’s most visible landmarks.
Then, around 1960 Playboy moved into the building, setting up its very first Playboy Club on the ground floor. Within a few years the company expanded, setting up its headquarters in the tower and changing its name to the Playboy Building, in huge illuminated lettering.
In more recent years a new developer came in, converting the old building into office and retail space on its lower levels, topped off by several additional levels of high-end condos. The Art Deco building also changed its named once again, this time back to its roots.
Posted by Sam Tarara on
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