Top 7 tallest buildings in Chicago
Chicago’s skyline is one of the most recognisable around the globe and is known for its innovative architecture, rich history, and presence of supertall skyscrapers that shape it. Some of the tallest skyscrapers found anywhere on American soil can be found in this great city. Below are the seven tallest skyscrapers in Chicago.
(This list and information is based on Wikipedia and The Skyscraper Center)
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Willis Tower
The Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, is Chicago’s tallest skyscraper at 1,451 ft (feet) with 110 floors. It opened in 1973 and held the title of the world’s tallest building for nearly 25 years. Its Skydeck observation deck draws millions of visitors annually, offering unforgettable views across the city and Lake Michigan.
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Trump International Hotel and Tower
This sleek mixed-use skyscraper rises around 1,388 ft with 98 floors, making it Chicago’s second tallest. Completed in 2009, it contains luxury hotel rooms, condominiums and retail space. Its reflective glass exterior curves along the Chicago River, enhancing both skyline views and riverfront aesthetics.
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St. Regis Chicago
Completed in 2020, the St. Regis Chicago (formerly Vista Tower) stands approximately 1,198 ft tall with 101 floors. It is notable as the tallest building in the world designed by a woman, architect Jeanne Gang. Its striking, interlocking tower design creates visual rhythm while housing residences, hotel rooms, restaurants and amenities.
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Aon Center
The Aon Center reaches 1,136 ft with 83 stories and is Chicago’s fourth tallest building. Completed in 1973, its sleek modernist form was originally clad in marble before being replaced due to maintenance issues. It has served as headquarters for major corporations and remains a defining feature of the Loop skyline.
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875 North Michigan Avenue
Also known historically as the John Hancock Center, 875 North Michigan Avenue rises about 1,127 ft with 100 floors. Completed in 1969, it was once the tallest building in Chicago and remains a classic example of structural expressionism. Located on the Magnificent Mile, it houses offices, residences and public observation areas.
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Franklin Center
The Franklin Center, formerly the AT&T Corporate Center, is a dramatic office skyscraper standing 1,007 ft tall with 61 floors. Completed in 1989, it features a striking granite façade and is one of the most visually distinctive towers in Chicago’s Loop. It combines office space with retail and a prominent downtown presence.
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Two Prudential Plaza
Two Prudential Plaza is 64 stories and approximately 995 ft tall, placing it among Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers. Finished in 1990, it was once the world’s tallest reinforced concrete building. Its stepped setbacks and distinctive pyramidal crown add architectural flair, and it remains a major mixed-use landmark in the Loop.
Chicago’s skyline is a reflection of innovative architecture and engineering marvels. From the legacy of the old and majestic Willis Tower to the modern and sleek St. Regis Chicago, each skyscraper plays a unique role in shaping Chicago’s skyline and history.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
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