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Chicago, Illinois, founded at the end of the 18th Century, is the United States' third largest city
(2,9 million inhabitants), behind New York City and Los Angeles.
Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper. Here it was, in 1885, that
the first steel skyscraper was erected, a ten-story building called the Home Insurance Building.
(in 1890, two more stories were added; in 1931, the building was demolished).
Since then many more skyscrapers followed and although New York City and Hong Kong may be
called the Skyscraper Capitals of the world, Chicago isn't far behind.
It's currently home to five of the world's 30 tallest skyscrapers in the world.

On this first - of three - Chicago pages, you can find pictures
of the ten tallest buildings of the Windy City.


Above: Chicago, seen from two different observatory spots.
The first picture was taken from the observatory of the Sears Tower;

the second picture from the observatory of the John Hancock Building.


Above: upon its completion in 1974, it became the tallest building in the world,
but these days it's 'no more' than America's tallest skyscraper, and #4 in the world: Sears tower.
The 108 stories tower reaches 442m/1,450f, while the twin antennas atop the building
bring its total height to 527m/1,729f.
For more pictures of the Sears Tower go to this page; a special Sears Tower picture page.


Above: Chicago's 2nd tallest building: Aon Center (346m/1136f, 83 stories, 1973),
seen from a couple of angles. It's currently the 14th tallest building in the world.
It was the city's tallest from 1973-1974, when it was surpassed by Sears Tower.
For more pictures of the Aon Center go to this page; a special Aon Center picture page.


Above: Chicago's third tallest building, the John Hancock Center (344m/1,127f, 100 stories,1969).
Including its antennas, the John Hancock Center reaches a height of 457m/1,499f.
As you may notice from most of the pictures, the eastern antenna is slightly taller than the western one.
In 2002, the eastern antenna was retrofitted and subsequently both antenna's were painted white.
On some of the pictures (these were taken in 1999) the building can be seen
with a red and white colored set of antennas with similar heights.
In 2000, part of the western antenna was removed, because it wasn't in use anymore.
The building has an observatory on the 94th floor (314m/1,030f);
price to go up is US$10.80 and - as always with observatories at such heights -
very much worth the price of admission. You will get 360-degree views of Chicago,
and on clear days you can see parts of the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and other parts of Illinois, as well.
The observatory is also home to a skywalk (an open-air viewing area) and a history wall,
with over 100 photos of Chicago (skyscraper) history.
For more pictures of the John Hancock Center go to this page; a special John Hancock Center picture page.


Above: AT&T Corporate Center (307m/1,007f, 60 stories, 1989), Chicago's 4th tallest;
without the spires on top, the building reaches a height of 270m/886f.
For more pictures of the AT&T Corporate Center go to this page;
a special AT&T Corporate Center picture page.


Above: Two Prudential Plaza (303m/995f, 64 stories, 1990), Chicago's 5th tallest.
The spire on top is about 35m/115f tall.
For more pictures of Two Prudential Plaza go to this page.




Above: ten pictures of 311 South Wacker Drive (293m/961f, 65 stories, 1990)
Sears Tower's 'smaller' neighbour and the city's 6th tallest.
When completed it was the tallest reinforced concrete building in the world;
it was surpassed two years later by Hong Kong's Central Plaza.
It is the tallest building in the world without a 'real' name, as it is known under its street address.


Above: 900 North Michigan (265m/871f, 66 stories, 1989).
The second and last picture were taken from the observatory deck of the John Hancock Building.
The building consists of a seven-story atrium shopping mall, a Four Seasons Hotel,
office space in the lower sections and condominiums in the higher sections of the building.


Above: Water Tower Place (262m/859f, 74 stories, 1976), Chicago's 8th tallest.
The building is situated on top of a large shopping center.
The building itself houses a hotel, offices and condominiums.


Above: Chase Tower (259m/850f, 60 stories, 1969).
The building changed its name from Bank One Plaza in October 2005 as a result of a corporate merger.
Before that, the building was named First National Plaza and changed for the same reason.




Above: Park Tower (257m/840f, 67 stories, 2000).
The only building in the last 15 years that was added to Chicago's top 10 of tallest buildings.
The lower floors are occupied by the Park Hyatt Hotel;
the upper floors are luxury condominiums.

On this page you have just looked at pictures of the ten tallest buildings of Chicago.
At the moment, one building is under construction that will enter this top 10 in the next few years:
Trump International Hotel & Tower. This skyscraper will be 415m/1,362f tall, with 92 stories.
The building will be completed by 2008. More info about this building you can find at:
http://www.trumpchicago.com/main.htm


Above left: the skyscrapers of Chicago seen from an airplane.
Above middle: tall, taller, tallest.
Above right: skyline view from the southwest, with Sears Tower rising above it all.


To see more pictures of more tall buildings of Chicago go to the following pages:

Click here to go to page 2 of skyscraper pictures of Chicago

Click here to go to page 3 of skyscraper pictures of Chicago



Chicago's 10 tallest skyscrapers:
1. SEARS TOWER 442m/1450f, 108 stories, 1974
2. AON CENTER 346m/1136f, 83 stories, 1973
3. JOHN HANCOCK CENTER 344m/1127f, 100 stories, 1969
4. AT&T CORPORATE CENTER 307m/1007f, 60 stories, 1989
5. TWO PRUDENTIAL PLAZA 303m/995f, 64 stories, 1990
6. 311 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE 293m/961f, 65 stories, 1990
7. 900 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE 265m/871f, 66 stories, 1989
8. WATER TOWER PLACE 262m/859f, 74 stories, 1976
9. CHASE TOWER 259m/850f, 60 stories, 1969
10. PARK TOWER 257m/840f, 67 stories, 2000

The building data, the top 10 of tallest buildings and some of the building information are courtesy of
SKYSCRAPERS.COM, one of the world's leading architectural resources on tall buildings.

All pictures copyright © 1999 - 2005 Patrick Beckers. All Rights Reserved.
Download of any pictures from this site without written consent is strictly prohibited, unless for personal use!
This personal use does NOT include using the pictures on other web sites.

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