Top Architectural Sites in Chicago

Chicago is famed for outstanding architecture and skyscrapers. The Chicago landscape was forever changed by the Great Chicago Fire of 1872. The Windy City rebuilt and became known as the birthplace of the skyscraper. Architecture tours, offered by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, are a terrific way to tour the city and learn the history of the many examples of innovative architecture in the Windy City.

Following are some of the best examples of historic architecture in Chicago.

Sears Tower. Sears Tower s a monument to modernist style as it soars into the sky. Sears Tower was the tallest building in the world for 25 years. Net door to the Sears Tower is a building that is postmodern. Together these two buildings illustrate major design and structural characteristics of a 40 year period of architecture.

John Hancock Building. The Hancock Center dominates the Chicago skyline at the north end of the Magnificent Mile. When is was built John Hancock Center was the world's second tallest building. The John Hancock observatory offers views of up to four states, weather permitting.

Auditorium Building. The historic Auditorium was the masterpiece of Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler. The building was built in 1886 to 1889 and has housed a hotel, a theater and an16 story office tower. At one time the building was threatened with extinction, but was taken over by the City of Chicago to be used as a serviceman's center during World War II. Roosevelt University took over the Auditorium in 1945 and meticulously restored the building. The theatrical space was once proclaimed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright to be the "Greatest room for music and opera in the world - bar none."

Rookery. The Rookery was designed by architects Daniel Burnham and John Vellborn Root in 1886 - 1888. The building is likened by some to a Moorish castle, with a highly ornamented brick and granite exterior. The architecture us a combination of designs to maximize light in this early high rise office building.

Marquette Building. This Chicago landmark, completed in 1895, has an exterior that defines the "Chicago School" of style. The two story rotunda reveals beautiful panels of Tiffany glass, mother of pearl and semi precious stones that depict scenes of the early history of Illinois.

Chicago Board of Trade Building. This Art Deco building was completed in 1930. The two additions were added in 1982 an d1997. The 12th story atrium bridges the Art Deco and postmodern buildings.

Merchandise Mart. Merchandise Mark is a magnificent Art Deco building that was completed in 1931. The Mart boasted the world's larges floor space. Nearly 80 years after being built, the Mart still ranks in the top three.

Macy's on State Street. Macy's is in the historic Marshall Field & Co. building. The famous Chicago department store is a landmark building with a stunning Tiffany dome, century old great clocks, Macy's Walnut Room and Charley's Door.

Lincoln Park Zoo. The second oldest operating zoo in the country dates back to 1868. The zoo building exhibit examples of Neoclassical, Prairie style and Postmodern buildings.

Santa Fe Building. This building is considered a crown jewel of the gilded age of architecture, the epitome of an early skyscraper.

Water Tower Place on the Magnificent Mile . The old Water Tower and Chicago Avenue Pumping Station are the only public buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1872. Both buildings were designed in a Gothic Revival Style, representing a fanciful interpretation of a medieval fortress.

An Architecture Tour is highly recommended when visiting the Windy City. The Chicago Architecture Foundation offers a number of different tours, including: Preserving Chicago's Loop, Evanston Walking Tour, Historic Courthouse District of River North Walking Tour, Temples of Culture Walking Tour, Architecture River Cruise and more. See the Chicago Architecture Foundation Website for details.

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