Wrigley Building / Tribune Tower, 1932

When the gleaming, white-enameled Wrigley Building was completed in 1921, it instantly became one of Chicago's favorite landmarks. Not to be outdone, the Chicago Tribune announced an international design competition in 1923 for its new home to be located right across from the Wrigley Building. The 258 contestants represented 23 countries, with 143 entries from the United States. The winning entry was submitted by Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells of New York City. Their neo-Gothic Tower is rich with complex detail which not only serves as ornamentation but was designed to shed water and therefore prevent damage from the cracking of stonework caused by freezing. Historic stones from famous buildings around the world are imbedded in the lower part of the building. These two landmark skyscrapers flank the southern end of the Magnificent Mile.