The first building in the United States to develop the "air-rights" over railroad tracks,[2] the 26-story building helped revitalize the south central Chicago River from industrial transport to urban office corridor and made innovations in engineering and urban design.

Strong thought it too small and instead acquired the air rights over railroad tracks that ran along west side of the river opposite the original site.

[4] Once that was settled, Strong sold Lawson’s parcel to the utility magnate Samuel Insull, with the understanding that he construct a building that would include a new home for the Opera.

Strong commissioned Holabird & Root to design a modern structure that would house 2,000 Daily News employees and provide studio space for his radio station, WMAQ.

This concourse was originally the main lobby, with an even floor in place of the ramp up to the bridge at Canal Street.