The 1993 Construction Collapse at Chicago’s Main Post Office: What Happened and What We Learned

Chicago’s main post office is a historic landmark that spans three city blocks along the Chicago River. The original building was completed in 1921 and expanded in 1932 to meet the growing demand for postal services. The building was designed by the renowned architectural firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White in the Art Deco style, featuring a limestone facade, ornamental details, and a massive lobby with marble floors and walls. However, the old post office also has a tragic history of a construction collapse that occurred in 1993, when a new nine-story building was being built across the street from the original structure. The collapse killed two workers and injured six others, and led to criminal charges and lawsuits against the contractor and subcontractor involved.