Northern Trust

The Northern Trust building at the corner of LaSalle and Monroe stands out for the massive, fluted limestone columns that frame its entrance. Byron Laflin Smith founded the bank in eighteen eighty-nine in a single room with a handful of employees. He operated on a conservative philosophy, favoring wealthy clients and stable investments while other banks aggressively chased growth. This building, completed in nineteen oh six, housed the growing operation until Smith’s cautious approach eventually required a much larger headquarters nearby.