Barbara Karant Documented Historic Chicago Office
A new photography book examines the legacy of the Johnson Publishing Company headquarters at 820 S. Michigan Avenue.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in African-American
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Photographer Barbara Karant released a new monograph that provides a visual record of the former Johnson Publishing Company headquarters in Chicago. The 240-page book chronicles the iconic office space designed by John W. Moutoussamy.
Why it matters
The building served as a critical hub for Black creativity and visual identity in American media for decades. This volume preserves the cultural importance of the site for Black entrepreneurship and design.
The monograph covers the building at 820 S. Michigan Avenue, which was completed in 1972 and housed the company until 2012. The book, published by MW Editions, contains 240 pages of interior photography.
The players
Barbara Karant
She is a photographer who authored a monograph exploring the architectural and cultural history of the Johnson Publishing Company building.
John W. Moutoussamy
He was the architect who designed the high-rise structure located at 820 S. Michigan Avenue.
The details
Barbara Karant captured images of the office spaces following the company's relocation from the Chicago site in 2012. The publication incorporates essays from scholars and former employees to provide historical context for the work of interior designers Arthur Elrod and William Raiser.
Timeline
The headquarters building was completed in 1972.
Johnson Publishing Company relocated from the site in 2012.
Barbara Karant will present the book at the Palm Springs Art Museum on February 15, 2027.
Culture Shift
This work aligns with a growing movement to document and preserve spaces that defined Black professional and creative life in the 20th century. By highlighting the specific interior design of this high-rise, the book elevates corporate history to the level of cultural heritage.
Chicago residents can explore a preserved visual history of a landmark that once stood at the center of their local community. The book provides an opportunity for the public to revisit the aesthetic and cultural legacy of an iconic piece of Michigan Avenue architecture.
The takeaway
This publication highlights how photography serves as a vital tool for preserving the physical memory of significant cultural institutions. Readers interested in architectural history may look to this project as a model for documenting workspaces that have transitioned to new uses.
What happens next
Barbara Karant is scheduled to present the book at the Palm Springs Art Museum on February 15, 2027.
Further reading
For more on the history of influential figures and institutions in the city, visit African-American.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Defender.
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Should communities prioritize the preservation of historically significant office interiors?
