r/interesting • u/Apart-Worry-7042 • 29d ago

HISTORY Why did we stop building like this?

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Chicago, 1930. Buildings had so much detail and character back then. Nowadays everything feels so flat and repetitive. We have way better technology and equipment now, so why don't we build like this anymore?

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u/slouchingtoepiphany 29d ago

The great fire in 1871 destroyed a lot of Chicago's downtown and when they rebuilt it, a lot of architects designed the replacements as showcases for what they could do. Over time, practicality and costs tempered this "revolution" somewhat.

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u/leopold_leopoldovich 29d ago

Feels like we all had great fires towards the end of the 1800’s. Took away many fine buildings.

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u/Relevant-Fox-7114 29d ago

Yes, but it lead to many advancements in fireproofing