The Chicago Traveler

Completed in 1891 and standing 197 feet tall (60 m), the Monadnock Building is an impressive and important figure in architectural history.
Traditional “skyscrapers” these days are supported by steel skeletons and/or reinforced concrete. But that’s what makes the Monadnock all that much more impressive. The northern half of this 17-story building (near the MCC) was designed by legendary architect John Wellborn Root and is completely supported by its brick walls. There are no internal columns and no steel reinforcements. All of the structure’s weight is sustained by the walls—which are six feet thick (1.8 m) at the building’s base—and an …read more

Comments Off

The Sears Tower may be Chicago’s architectural shining star, but skyline neighbor 311 South Wacker Drive is a dazzling princess, complete with a beautiful crown.
Completed in 1990, this 65-story skyscraper stands 961 feet tall (293 m), making it the tallest building in the world to be known only by its street address. With few nearby towers to compete with, the building reigns over the southwestern end of the Loop landscape. The skyscraper comes with style and perhaps a touch of Southern charm, its octagonal main shaft dressed in pink granite from Texas.
Of course, what people can’t help but notice is …read more

1 Comment

If you’ve been to Chicago’s downtown area, you know one of its neighborhoods is called “the Loop,” named after the circular path created by the ‘L’ train tracks. Completed in 1969, the Chase Tower (across the street from Three First National Plaza) stands 850 feet tall (259 m) and is the tallest building within the namesake route.
The most obvious notable feature is its curving shape, which changes a viewer’s perspective and makes the building seem taller than it is. Another fun illusion: if you put your foot on one of these curved flanks, the ramp-like appearance makes it feel like …read more

Comments Off

One of the questions I often get from out-of-towners is “Have you ever been to a Jerry Springer show?” No, I haven’t, but I do know someone who was once on the show. (That’s a story for another time.) In case you didn’t know, the Jerry Springer show is filmed right here in Chicago, inside the NBC Tower.
The NBC Tower is a 37-story skyscraper that was completed in 1989. At a height of 627 feet (191 m), it is considered one of the best reproductions of the art deco style in a postmodern building. The NBC peacock logo is incorporated …read more

1 Comment

As I was watching the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony on Friday, one of the most awe-inspiring moments was seeing the flags from all 200+ nations waving next to each other, just before the Olympic Torch was lit. For me, it was a symbol of the global unity that is temporarily achieved during these Games. While there are plenty of politics to debate outside the stadium, inside lies the purity and passion of sport.
Chicago is showing its own support by displaying a wall of flags in the lobby of the Sears Tower. The exhibit features more than 200 flags from …read more

2 Comments

I know what you’re thinking. This 1928 24-story high-rise doesn’t look like interesting at all. And you’re right. There’s nothing about it physically that makes it stand out. Rather, what makes this building distinctive is its name… or perhaps, lack thereof.
Near the Seventeenth Church, what was formerly the Millinery Mart Building was renamed after its location: 65 East South Water Street. However, if you look up this address on a map, you’ll notice that it doesn’t actually exist!
Most people assumed that South Water Street ended at Michigan Avenue. Unfortunately for them, the building was located a good half block west …read more

1 Comment

As the saying goes, “there’s strength in numbers.” That’s certainly the case with the Presidential Towers, a residential complex that spans two city blocks (near 525 West Monroe). Each of these buildings wouldn’t seem like much on its own. Built in 1985, the towers are 49 stories tall and “boring brown.” However, standing four strong (six towers were originally planned), they make quite an impression in the West Loop. All of the towers are linked at the base and contain over 2,000 apartments.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) yuan2003, anselmogz, swanksalot, 24gotham
Presidential Towers: 555 W Madison St; 866-273-0973Public trans: Bus # 14, …read more

Comments Off

The Chicago Lantern Building at 191 North Wacker may not be quite as famous as its next-door neighbor, 333 Wacker Drive, but it holds its own in the downtown neighborhood. This 516-foot tall (157 m) skyscraper with 37 floors borders the Chicago River, and the building’s bluish-green glass complements the waters below. At the very top of the building, the glass is white and, at night, is illuminated by bright lights, creating a brilliant icing to top this glass-and-steel cake.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) polomex, Antre, crowbert
191 North Wacker Dr
Public trans: Bus # 11, 124, 125, 157
Pink/Green Line train (Clinton)

Comments Off

The Sears Tower may no longer be officially considered the tallest building in the world, but that hasn’t stopped Chicago from building and reaching higher. The Chicago Spire is a skyscraper currently under construction that, when completed in 2011, will be 2,000 feet tall (610 m) with 150 floors. It will be the second-tallest building in the world, the tallest free-standing structure in North America, and the tallest all-residential building on the planet.
The skyscraper is being constructed in Streeterville, just west of Navy Pier. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava imagined a smoke spiral coming from a campfire when he designed the …read more

Comments Off

The city of Chicago features numerous impressive buildings designed by famous architects. Even if you’ve never studied the field, you may have heard of prominent names like Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Stuart Cohen, or “the Chicago Seven.” Every Monday, The Chicago Traveler features at least one attractive piece of architecture in the Windy City. The Chicago Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is also passionate about educating the public on the incredible design that graces our city.
CAF offers over 80 tours, from downtown to suburbia, from a healthy walk to a comfy bus ride. Among the …read more

2 Comments