flagship store for William Filene and Sons'
regional retail empire, this was the renowned Mid-
western city planner's last major building. The
decorative treatmant of the cornices and window
mass in the Beaux Arts style reflect the influ-
ence of the Chicago School of design From a small shop begun in 1852,
Polish-born William Filene brought his progressive
retail ideas to Boston in 1881. The early depart-
ment store created an atmosphere of fine specialty
shops. Filene's has been know since for retailing
innovations.