9-Sep-15 – The colorful deck in the corner of the Boyce Building rooftop is a visual treat for people in high-rises throughout River North but its story, arguably, is not well known.

When William D. Boyce, a newspaper and magazine publisher and founder of the Boy Scouts of America, built the 12-story brick building, there was no rooftop deck but there was a small penthouse for Boyce in the middle of the roof.

The Boyce Building – actually the second of two buildings given that name – was constructed in three phases between 1911 and 1923. Originally designed by Daniel Burnham’s architectural firm, it had five printing presses on the first floor, powered by electricity generated in the basement. Boyce died in the penthouse in 1929. His building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996.

(Above) Closer view of the rooftop deck from its southeast corner.

In 2009, the 25-employee insurance law firm Childress Duffy was located directly one block east at 515 North State Street, then known as AMA Building. From their conservative, button-down, 22nd floor offices, they could see the Boyce Building and its rooftop.

“It was very much small, white cubicles, doors on all the offices,” recalls Seth Bohn, who provides technical support for Childress Duffy. “I think for years they had been admiring this rooftop. So when they moved in, they pretty much went for the exact opposite. Brightly colored walls, big open spaces, everyone working in a sort of open community environment.”

Shortly after moving in April 2010, the firm went to work on the rooftop, doubling the habitable portion with wooden floor planks painted in bright colors, equipped with tables, chairs, planters, vegetable garden, Buddha, and a pergola with outdoor grill.

(Above) East side of the rooftop deck. The hand gesture of the Buddha, according to the law firm Childress Duffy, represents “explanation and argumentation.”

It took about two months to build, working from a design by company founder Michael Childress. The artwork was provided by Erik DeBat, a former graffiti artist and now a respectable art and craft professional with his own design firm.

The law firm is located on the 12th floor of the Boyce Building, its top floor accessible by elevator. Stairs lead up to more offices, a conference room, and the rooftop deck.

The deck is utilized as workspace, for meetings, lunch, and an occasional happy hour.

“The deck is open to all our people for when they want it,” says Childress. “It is wired for computer use. Everyone has laptops and can work outside if they wish. During the summer, most of the meetings I have are on the deck.”

(Below) Looking northeast from table and chairs in the middle of the rooftop deck.