The 11-story Johnson Publishing Company Building at 820 S. Michigan Avenue was built for John H. Johnson, owner of one of the largest black-owned businesses in the country. Architect John Moutoussamy designed the building, which was completed in 1971. The building served as offices for a number of Johnson publications, including Ebony and Jet magazines, and it had exuberant interiors designed by Palm Springs-based Arthur Elrod and William Raiser. A 1972 special edition of Ebony magazine was dedicated entirely to the new building and included numerous photos of the building’s vibrant, sometimes even psychedelic, interiors.

The Johnson Publishing Building is the only high-rise building in downtown Chicago designed by an African American architect. The building was designated as a Chicago Landmark in 2017 and was converted to residential use in 2018. Before the building’s conversion, the iconic Ebony Magazine test kitchen was removed from the building and is now in the collection of the New York-based Museum of Food and Drink. The Johnson Publishing Building retains its iconic “Ebony / Jet” rooftop sign overlooking Michigan Avene.

The 11-story Johnson Publishing Company Building at 820 S. Michigan Avenue was built for John H. Johnson, owner of one of the largest black-owned businesses in the country. Architect John Moutoussamy designed the building, which was completed in 1971. The building served as offices for a number of Johnson publications, including Ebony and Jet magazines, and it had exuberant interiors designed by Palm Springs-based Arthur Elrod and William Raiser. A 1972 special edition of Ebony magazine was dedicated entirely to the new building and included numerous photos of the building’s vibrant, sometimes even psychedelic, interiors.

The Johnson Publishing Building is the only high-rise building in downtown Chicago designed by an African American architect. The building was designated as a Chicago Landmark in 2017 and was converted to residential use in 2018. Before the building’s conversion, the iconic Ebony Magazine test kitchen was removed from the building and is now in the collection of the New York-based Museum of Food and Drink. The Johnson Publishing Building retains its iconic “Ebony / Jet” rooftop sign overlooking Michigan Avene.