Franklin Building (Chicago)

It is one of the historic buildings in the City of Chicago Printing House Row landmark district.

Oskar Gross, a painter from Vienna, Austria, did a mural over the main entrance and painted tiles for the building[2] depicting an artist, engraver, typesetter, bookbinder, and other artisans involved in the printing process.

[2] The building is topped by a parapet with unusual gables accommodating large skylights, and has polychrome terra cotta tiles adorning it on its east façade, including the inscription: "The excellence of every art must consist in the complete accomplishment of its purpose."

[2] The top three floors were originally a loft space with a glass ceiling (skylight).

[5][6] The autumn leaf tile was made by the Wheatley Pottery Company of Cincinnati.