It was designed in the Beaux-Arts style by Shepley , Rutan and Coolidge of Boston for the 1893 World 's Columbian Exposition as the World 's Congress Auxiliary Building with the intent that the Art Institute occupy the space after the fair closed .
Shepley , Rutan and Coolidge of Boston , Massachusetts designed the Allerton Building in the Beaux-Arts style . It was built for the 1893 World 's Columbian Exposition as the World 's Congress Auxiliary Building with the intent that the Art Institute occupy the building after the fair closed .