At the time of the construction of the mansion , Potter Palmer was already responsible for much of the development of State Street . After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 , the buildings on State Street were destroyed , and Palmer was yet again responsible for its redevelopment . Construction on the mansion began in 1882 , and its exterior work was completed in 1883 . However , interior decoration would continue for another two years before the building was entirely complete
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Palmer Mansion