September 11, 1854 in Amenia Union, New York
July 19, 1923
- Two years at U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.
- Draftsman for William Le Baron Jenney
- 1888: Tacoma Building, Chicago (demolished)
- 1893: Old Colony Building, Chicago
- 1894: Marquette Building, Chicago
- 1909: The La Salle Hotel
- 1923: Palmer House
- 1925: Stevens Hotel
Along with his partner Martin Roche, William Holabird forged America's early skyscrapers and launched an architectural style known as the Chicago School.
Holabird began his education at the West Point Military Academy, but after two years he moved to Chicago and worked as a draftsman for William Le Baron Jenney, who is often called "father of the skyscraper." Holabird founded his own practice in 1880, and formed a partnership with Martin Roche in 1881.
The Chicago School style featured many innovations. The "Chicago window" created the effect that the buildings were composed of glass. Each large pane of glass was flanked by narrow windows that could be opened.
In addition to their Chicago skyscrapers, Holabird and Roche became leading designers of large hotels in the midwest. After William Holabird's death, the firm was reorganized by his son. The new firm, Holabird & Root, was highly influential in the 1920s.
