The Tallest Brick Skyscraper Ever Built

The Monadnock Building in Chicago stands as the tallest load-bearing masonry building in history. Because it relies on solid brick walls rather than a steel skeleton, its base is an incredible six feet thick to support the immense weight above.

Constructing this 16-story giant required massive walls that consume significant floor space at the ground level. To achieve this height without a steel frame, engineers had to innovate, even inventing a unique wind-bracing system. The building also holds the honor of being the first to feature aluminum in its structural staircases. It remains a historic testament to the transition between old-fashioned masonry and the steel-frame era of modern architecture.