Chicago Post Office Undergoes Historic Redevelopment

Built in 1921, the Old Chicago Post Office was once the largest of its kind in the world, capable of handling 19 million pieces of mail each day. But after sitting vacant for nearly two decades, the historic building underwent the largest historic redevelopment in the nation in 2019 to serve as one of Chicago’s business hubs.

Tasked with specifying products for the extensive retrofit, Gensler wanted attractive, hygiene-friendly and sustainable building products throughout the building—and the restroom was no exception.

The result: elegant, water-saving and touch-free Sloan products in each of the architectural icon’s restrooms spanning 13 floors and 2.5 million sq. ft.

From the minute guests enter the main lobby they are met with a beautiful golden bronze aesthetic—from gold turnstiles to gold mosaic tile and more—
an aesthetic that has been a hallmark of the building since its inception in the 1920s. Gensler wanted that same design theme to carry over into the restroom as well, specifying Sloan’s Polished Brass special finish on all Optima EAF-275 Faucets and Sloan ESD-2000 Soap Dispensers throughout the building. Luxurious and eye-catching with a touch of gold, Sloan’s Polished Brass delivers the golden bronze design that has become synonymous with the Old Post Office and extends it into the restroom to add an element
of high design to the handwashing experience.

While the project was completed before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Old Chicago Post Office wanted to provide users with a touch-free restroom environment. Royal 152 ESS (non-TMO) Flushometers—installed in the building’s office area for employees—and EAF-275 Faucets in the public restrooms deliver the hygienic benefits across all aspects of the iconic facility that tenants have come to expect in today’s commercial environment.

In addition to their hygienic benefits, each Sloan fixture also provides a water-saving element that contributes to the Old Post Office achieving both LEED Gold and WELL building certification.