Karl M. Vitzthum
He was born in Tutzing, near Munich, in Germany and attended Munich's Royal School of Architecture (Technical University of Munich or Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)?). He came to the U.S. in 1902 and to Chicago in 1914. He also worked with Fredrick J. Teich before partnering with John J. Burns (1886-1956) in 1919 in firm Karl M. Vitzthum & Co.
Also recorded as Karl Martin Vitzthum
Karl M. Vitzthum
- Birthplace
- Tutzing
- Died
- 1967
- Occupation
- Architect Karl Martin Vitzthum (1880–1967) was an American architect.
- Nationality
- United States
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Documentary summary
He was born in Tutzing, near Munich, in Germany and attended Munich's Royal School of Architecture (Technical University of Munich or Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)?). He came to the U.S. in 1902 and to Chicago in 1914. He also worked with Fredrick J. Teich before partnering with John J. Burns (1886-1956) in 1919 in firm Karl M. Vitzthum & Co.
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wikidata · Q64683531 · wikipedia · Karl M. Vitzthum
In this article
Biography
Biography
Burns was the junior partner. At some point Vitzthum & Burns became the firm name. After Burns died the firm became Vitzthum & Kill, and specialized in churches, schools, high-rise residential, and penal institutions. He designed more than 50 bank buildings. He self-reportedly proposed that Comiskey Park be built with cantilevering, avoiding use of posts and allowing unobstructed views, but Comiskey balked at the extra cost. Several of his works are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
Key facts
Key facts
• Birthplace — Tutzing • Died — 1967 • Occupation — Architect Karl Martin Vitzthum (1880–1967) was an American architect.
Works
Works
Works by Vitzthum or the firms include: • All American Bank Building (1924), South Bend, Indiana, (Vitzthum & Burns), NRHP-listed • Old Republic Building (1925), Chicago (Vitzthum & Burns) • Lerner Theatre (1924), 410 S. Main st., Elkhart, Indiana • Home Bank and Trust Company (1926), 1200 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, NRHP-listed • Granada Theater (1927) South Bend, Indiana • State Bank of Hammond Building (1927), 5444-5446 Calumet Ave., Hammond, Indiana, NRHP-listed • Steuben Club Building (1929), later known as Randolph Tower, 188 West Randolph Street, Chicago (K.M. Vitzthum & Co.), NRHP-listed • One LaSalle Street Building (1930 or 1939?), also known as One North LaSalle Building, at 1 N LaSalle St., Chicago, (Vitzthum & Burns), NRHP-listed • Sheboygan County Courthouse (1933–34), 615 N. 6th St., Sheboygan, Wisconsin, (with W.C. Weeks, of Sheboygan), NRHP-listed • St. Peter's in the Loop (1953), (Vitzthum & Burns)
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Karl M. Vitzthum”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q64683531: Karl M. Vitzthum
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Art Institute of Chicago. Karl Martin Vitzthum. 1880.
- 2.TheChicagoLoop.Org. Vitzthum & Burns.
- 3.Peters, Linda. National Register of Historic Places Registration: Home Bank and Trust Company Building. Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. July 27, 2006.
- 4.Rogers Park National Bank.
- 5.George W. Hilton. Comiskey Park.
- 6.Preliminary Summary of Information.
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Citations
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reference work
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General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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