A little-known fact about Chicago: It was home of the first world’s first skyscraper.
In 1885, architect William Le Baron Jenney completed Chicago’s Home Insurance Building. The building rose to an impressive height of 10 storeys, and while it is no longer standing, it changed the way in which cities were designed for years to come. Next year will see the 140th anniversary of the birth of this architectural concept. Chicago has many ways to appreciate its iconic buildings and architectural styles – from the water, looking up from the streets, or high above the famous skyline.
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise
Known as one of the most popular tours, the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise offers the perfect viewpoint from the Chicago River. During this Chicago tour, architecture experts share stories of more than 50 iconic buildings and the figures who designed and built the city. Aboard Chicago’s First Lady, guests enjoy unobstructed views from the open-air upper decks. www.architecture.org
Chicago Architecture: An Engineer's Guide to Marvels & Masterpieces
Discover the unique route that delves into the technical perspective behind the city's architecture with Chicago's only engineering-themed walking tour. Learn about more than 150 years of engineering innovations from an experienced engineer who also shares Chicago's history and legends. Find out how some buildings' uneven settling on floating foundations led to their reputation as haunted. Visitors will have the chance to tour the interiors of a few of the city's prominent buildings and learn how they have withstood the test of time and the forces of wind and gravity. Chicago Walking Tours: www.insidechicago.com
The 2026 Obama Presidential Center
The complex will span 19 acres and feature a museum, an auditorium, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, a fruit and vegetable garden, and an athletic facility for events and programs. Inspired by four hands coming together, the museum will be a four-sided structure and a historic monument in Jackson Park. Words from former President Obama's speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches will be displayed on the façade. The Obama Presidential Center's multipurpose campus and athletics and events center is scheduled to open in 2026. The Presidential Center, www.obama.org
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Robie House
Many of the famous structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright are located in Chicago, including the famous Robie House, which was built in 1910. Robie House, which is situated in the Hyde Park district of Chicago, is regarded as one of Wright's most notable designs for his distinctive Prairie style, which features strong horizontal lines. In 2019, Robie House received the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Depending on how deeply tourists wish to delve into the history, design, and cultural relevance of Robie House, a range of excursions with varying durations are offered. FLWRIGHT.org
Elevated Architecture: The "L" Train in Downtown
The L train, sometimes referred to as the elevated train, is one of the most well-liked modes of transportation in Chicago. These trains travel around 20 feet above the ground as they transport passengers throughout the city. Through the amazing tour offered by the Chicago Architecture Center, tourists may discover Chicago's breathtaking architecture from the unusual vantage point of elevated trains and platforms. From this vantage point, architectural elements that are frequently overlooked by street-level pedestrians are revealed. Under the direction of informed and experienced tour guides, visitors will discover the background of the well-known "L" system and how it has impacted the construction of structures in and around the Loop. Architecture.org
Magnificent Mile Architecture
This walking tour gives visitors the opportunity to discover how Chicago changed from a dirt road called Pine Street to the famous Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue), the city's main retail area. Numerous architectural styles, such as Parisian, Gothic, neoclassical, and Art Deco, may be found in the buildings in this region. The Magnificent Mile, which features iconic architectural styles that have grown in popularity throughout time, functions as a history book. Skyscrapers, residential towers, vertical malls, and structures designed to represent the brands they house will all be on display for visitors to see. Knowledgeable tour guides will share the backstories and mysteries of the intriguing buildings on North Michigan Avenue. Architecture.org
The Chicago Architecture Center
One of the greatest locations to go for advice, suggestions, and tours on how to learn about architectural history is the Chicago Architecture Centre (CAC). A number of interesting and interactive exhibits, including Framed Views, Disruptors, and the Chicago City Model Experience, are also housed there.
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