This list of tallest buildings in Chicago ranks skyscrapers by height in the U.S. city of Chicago, Illinois, which is considered to be the birthplace of the skyscraper.[1][2] The tallest building in Chicago is the 108-story Sears Tower, which rises 1,451 feet (442 m) in the Chicago Loop and was completed in 1974.[3] It also stands as the tallest building in the United States, and the fifth-tallest building in the world. In addition, the Sears Tower has the most floors of any completed building in the world, and stands as the world's tallest completed skyscraper when measuring to pinnacle height,[3] rising 1,730 feet (527 m) with the addition of its western antenna.[4] The second- and third-tallest buildings in Chicago are the Aon Center and the John Hancock Center, respectively. As of June 2008, the John Hancock Center, with 49 floors of condominiums,[5] holds the world record for the highest residence.[6] In addition, Chicago has the distinction of being the only city in the world with more than one completed building containing at least 100 floors.[A]
The history of skyscrapers in Chicago began with the 1885 completion of the Home Insurance Building, which is often regarded as the first steel-framed skyscraper in the world. The building was originally constructed with a height of 138 feet (42 m) and 10 stories, and was later expanded to a height of 180 feet (55 m) and 12 stories before being demolished in 1931.[7][8] Historically, Chicago has played a prominent role in the development of the skyscraper. The Masonic Temple Building was the tallest building in the world using the unconventional definition that excludes the New York World Building's ornamental lantern.[9] Three past buildings have been considered the tallest building in the United States, including the Chicago Board of Trade Building, which in both of its incarnations held the title of Chicago's tallest building.[10] Chicago went through a very early high-rise construction boom that lasted from the early 1920s to the mid-1930s, during which time 11 of the city's 91 tallest buildings were constructed. The city then went through an even larger building boom that has lasted from the early 1960s until the present. During this time, the city has seen the completion of 79 buildings rising at least 500 feet (152 m) in height, including the Sears Tower, the Aon Center and the John Hancock Tower. The high-rises that have been constructed are mostly concentrated in the Loop and along the Magnificent Mile in Chicago's Near North Side community area. Chicago is the site of 91 completed buildings that stand at least 500 feet (152 m) in height, with 16 more under construction. Overall, the skyline of Chicago is ranked (based on existing and under-construction buildings over 500 feet (152 m) tall) first in the Midwestern United States and second in the United States, after New York City.[B] As of June 2008, there are 1,074 completed high-rises in the city, second in the country behind New York.[11] Based on the average height of the ten tallest completed buildings, Chicago has the tallest skyline in the world.[12]
Chicago has three buildings under construction that are planned to exceed 1,000 feet (304.8 m) in height: the 2,000-foot (610 m) Chicago Spire,[13] the 1,362-foot (415 m) Trump International Hotel & Tower,[14] and the 1,047-foot (319 m) Waterview Tower.[15] The 150-story Chicago Spire, upon its completion in 2012, would become the tallest building in the United States and the tenth tallest building in the world.[13] The tower would also stand as the second tallest all-residential building in the world,surpassing Q1 in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[16] There are also several buildings proposed for construction in the city, the largest being the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and Residence Tower, which would rise 1,265 feet (386 m) and 107 floors upon its completion in 2012.[17] As of June 2008, there are 160 high-rise buildings under construction, approved for construction, and proposed for construction in Chicago.[11]
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This list ranks Chicago skyscrapers that stand at least 500 feet (152 m) tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts. Existing structures are included for ranking purposes based on present height.
Rank | Name | Height ft / m |
Floors | Year | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sears Tower | 1,451 / 442 | 108 | 1974 | 5th-tallest building in the world, tallest building in the United States. Has been the tallest building in the city, the state, and the country since 1974. Tallest building in the world from 1974 until 1998. Remains the tallest completed building in the world when measuring to pinnacle height. Tallest building constructed in the city and the world in the 1970s.[3][4] |
2 | Trump International Hotel and Tower* | 1,362 / 415 | 96 | 2009 | This building topped out in August 2008 to become the second-tallest building in the city.[14][18] |
3 | Aon Center | 1,136 / 346 | 83 | 1973 | 17th-tallest building in the world, 4th-tallest in the United States.[19][20] |
4 | John Hancock Center | 1,127 / 344 | 100 | 1969 | 19th-tallest building in the world, 5th-tallest in the United States. Tallest completed building in the world that contains both commercial and residential units. Tallest building constructed in Chicago in the 1960s. [6][21] |
5 | AT&T Corporate Center | 1,007 / 307 | 61 | 1989 | 35th-tallest building in the world, 10th-tallest in the United States. Tallest building constructed in the city in the 1980s.[22][23] |
6 | Two Prudential Plaza | 995 / 303 | 64 | 1990 | 39th-tallest building in the world, 12th-tallest in the United States. Tallest building constructed in Chicago in the 1990s.[24][25] |
7 | 311 South Wacker Drive | 961 / 293 | 65 | 1990 | 47th-tallest building in the world, 15th-tallest in the United States.[26][27] |
8 | 900 North Michigan | 871 / 265 | 66 | 1989 | 77th-tallest building in the world, 25th-tallest in the United States.[28][29] |
9 | Water Tower Place | 859 / 262 | 74 | 1976 | 89th-tallest building in the world, 29th-tallest in the United States.[30][31] |
10 | Chase Tower | 850 / 259 | 60 | 1969 | 101st-tallest building in the world, 32nd-tallest in the United States.[32][33] |
11 | Park Tower | 844 / 257 | 67 | 2000 | 108th-tallest building in the world, 35th-tallest in the United States.[34][35] |
12 | 300 North LaSalle* | 785 / 239 | 60 | 2009 | Under construction - this building topped out in July 2008 to become the 12th tallest building in the city.[36][37] |
13 | Three First National Plaza | 767 / 234 | 57 | 1981 | 58th-tallest in the United States.[38][39] |
14 | Chicago Title & Trust Center | 756 / 230 | 50 | 1992 | 63rd-tallest building in the United States.[40][41] |
15 | One Museum Park* | 734 / 224 | 62 | 2008 | Under construction; this building was topped out in early 2008. 85th-tallest building in the United States. Tallest building on South Side of Chicago. Tallest all-residential building in the city, second-tallest all-residential building in the United States after Trump World Tower in New York City.[42][43] Tallest building in the city located outside of the Chicago Loop and the Near North Side. |
16 | Olympia Centre | 725 / 221 | 63 | 1986 | 89th-tallest building in the United States.[44][45] |
17 | 330 North Wabash | 695 / 212 | 47 | 1973 | Also known as IBM Building.[46][47] |
18 | 111 South Wacker Drive | 681 / 208 | 51 | 2005 | [48][49] |
19 | 181 West Madison Street | 680 / 207 | 50 | 1990 | [50][51] |
20 | Hyatt Center | 679 / 207 | 48 | 2005 | [52][53] |
21 | One Magnificent Mile | 673 / 205 | 58 | 1983 | [54][55] |
22 | 340 on the Park | 672 / 205 | 64 | 2007 | Tallest completed all-residential building in the city[56][57] |
23 | 77 West Wacker Drive | 668 / 204 | 49 | 1992 | Also known as the United Building. Formerly known as the R.R. Donnelley Building.[58][59] |
24 | UBS Tower | 652 / 199 | 50 | 2001 | [60][61] |
25 | Richard J. Daley Center | 648 / 198 | 31 | 1965 | Tallest flat-roofed building in the world that contains less than 40 floors.[62][63] |
26 | 55 East Erie Street | 647 / 197 | 56 | 2003 | 2nd-tallest completed all-residential building in the city, and 3rd-tallest all-residential building in the country.[64][65] |
27 | Lake Point Tower | 645 / 197 | 70 | 1968 | Shortest building in the world to contain 70 floors.[66][67] |
28 | River East Center | 644 / 196 | 58 | 2001 | [68][69] |
29 | Grand Plaza I | 641 / 195 | 57 | 2003 | [70][71] |
30 | Leo Burnett Building | 635 / 194 | 50 | 1989 | [72][73] |
31 | The Heritage at Millennium Park | 631 / 192 | 57 | 2005 | [74][75] |
32 | NBC Tower | 627 / 191 | 37 | 1989 | [76][77] |
33 | Millennium Centre | 610 / 186 | 59 | 2003 | [78][79] |
34 | Chicago Place | 608 / 185 | 49 | 1991 | [80][81] |
35 | Chicago Board of Trade Building | 605 / 184 | 44 | 1930 | Tallest Art Deco building in the world outside of New York City. Tallest building constructed in the city in the 1930s.[10][82] |
36= | One Prudential Plaza | 601 / 183 | 41 | 1955 | Tallest building constructed in Chicago in the 1950s.[83][84] |
36= | CNA Center | 601 / 183 | 44 | 1972 | [85][86] |
38 | Heller International Building | 600 / 183 | 45 | 1992 | Tallest building in the city west of the Chicago River.[87][88] |
39 | Madison Plaza | 599 / 182 | 45 | 1982 | [89][90] |
40 | 1000 Lake Shore Plaza | 590 / 180 | 55 | 1964 | [91][92] |
41 | The Clare at Water Tower | 589 / 179 | 52 | 2008 | Will stand as one of the tallest senior living centers in the world upon completion.[93][94] |
42= | Marina City I | 588 / 179 | 61 | 1964 | [95][96] |
42= | Marina City II | 588 / 179 | 61 | 1964 | [97][98] |
42= | Citigroup Center | 588 / 179 | 41 | 1985 | [99][100] |
45 | Mid-Continental Plaza | 583 / 178 | 49 | 1972 | [101][102] |
46 | Smurfit-Stone Building | 582 / 177 | 41 | 1983 | [103][104] |
47 | North Pier Apartments | 581 / 177 | 61 | 1990 | [105][106] |
48 | Citadel Center | 580 / 177 | 37 | 2003 | [107] |
49 | The Fordham | 574 / 175 | 52 | 2003 | [108][109] |
50 | 190 South LaSalle Street | 573 / 175 | 42 | 1987 | [110][111] |
51 | One South Dearborn | 571 / 174 | 39 | 2005 | [112][113] |
52 | Onterie Center | 570 / 174 | 57 | 1985 | [114][115] |
53 | Chicago Temple Building | 568 / 173 | 21 | 1924 | Tallest building constructed in the city in the 1920s.[116][117] |
54 | Palmolive Building | 565 / 172 | 37 | 1929 | [118][119] |
55= | Huron Plaza | 560 / 171 | 56 | 1983 | [120][121] |
55= | Boeing International Headquarters | 560 / 171 | 36 | 1990 | [122][123] |
57= | The Parkshore | 556 / 169 | 56 | 1991 | [124][125] |
57= | North Harbor Tower | 556 / 169 | 55 | 1988 | [126][127] |
59 | Civic Opera House | 555 / 169 | 45 | 1929 | [128] |
60= | Newberry Plaza | 553 / 169 | 53 | 1974 | [129][130] |
60= | Michigan Plaza South | 553 / 169 | 46 | 1985 | [131][132] |
60= | 30 North LaSalle | 553 / 169 | 44 | 1975 | [133][134] |
63 | Pittsfield Building | 551 / 168 | 39 | 1927 | [135][136] |
64= | Harbor Point | 550 / 168 | 54 | 1975 | [137][138] |
64= | One South Wacker | 550 / 168 | 40 | 1982 | [139][140] |
66 | Kluczynski Federal Building | 545 / 166 | 45 | 1975 | [141][142] |
67 | Park Millennium | 544 / 166 | 57 | 2002 | [143][144] |
68 | USG Building | 538 / 164 | 35 | 1992 | [145][146] |
69= | The Pinnacle | 535 / 163 | 48 | 2004 | [147][148] |
69= | LaSalle Bank Building | 535 / 163 | 45 | 1934 | [149][150] |
71 | Park Place Tower | 531 / 162 | 56 | 1971 | Tallest building in the city located outside of Downtown Chicago (Chicago Loop, Near North Side, Near South Side or Near West Side).[151][152] |
72 | One North LaSalle | 530 / 162 | 48 | 1930 | [153][154] |
73 | Elysées Condominiums | 529 / 161 | 56 | 1972 | [155][156] |
74 | River Plaza | 524 / 160 | 56 | 1977 | [157][158] |
75 | 35 East Wacker Drive | 523 / 159 | 40 | 1927 | [159][160] |
76 | Unitrin Building | 522 / 159 | 41 | 1962 | [161][162] |
77 | Mather Tower | 521 / 159 | 42 | 1928 | [163][164] |
78= | 10 South Wacker | 520 / 158 | 40 | 1987 | [165][166] |
78= | 30 South Wacker | 520 / 158 | 40 | 1987 | [167][168] |
80 | The Columbian | 517 / 158 | 47 | 2008 | [169][170] |
81 | 191 North Wacker | 516 / 157 | 37 | 2002 | [171][172] |
82= | 401 East Ontario | 515 / 157 | 51 | 1990 | [173][174] |
82= | One Financial Place | 515 / 157 | 39 | 1985 | [175][176] |
84 | The Streeter | 514 / 157 | 50 | 2007 | [177][178] |
85= | Park Tower Condominiums | 513 / 156 | 54 | 1974 | Also known as 5415 North Sheridan.[179][180] |
85= | 600 Lake Shore Drive, South Tower* | 513 / 156 | 47 | 2008 | Under construction; this building was topped out in early 2008.[181] |
87 | LaSalle-Wacker Building | 512 / 156 | 41 | 1930 | [182][183] |
88= | Harris Bank Addition II | 510 / 155 | 38 | 1977 | [184][185] |
88= | 321 North Clark | 510 / 155 | 35 | 1987 | Also known as Quaker Tower.[186][187] |
90 | 400 East Ohio Street | 505 / 154 | 50 | 1983 | [188][189] |
91 | Carbide & Carbon Building | 503 / 153 | 38 | 1929 | [190][191] |
92= | One Superior Place | 502 / 153 | 52 | 1999 | [192][193] |
92= | 10 South LaSalle | 502 / 153 | 37 | 1986 | Also known as Chase Plaza.[194][195] |
94 | 120 North LaSalle | 501 / 153 | 39 | 1992 | [196][197] |
95= | The Tides | 500 / 152 | 51 | 2008 | [198][199] |
95= | 200 South Wacker Drive | 500 / 152 | 41 | 1981 | [200][201] |
* indicates still under construction, but has been topped out
This list ranks Chicago skyscrapers based on their pinnacle height, which includes radio masts and antennas. As architectural features and spires can be regarded as subjective, some skyscraper enthusiasts prefer this method of measurement. Standard architectural height measurement, which excludes antennas in building height, is included for comparative purposes.
Rank | Name | Pinnacle height ft / m |
Standard height ft / m |
Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sears Tower | 1,730 / 527 | 1,451 / 442 | [4] |
2 | John Hancock Center | 1,500 / 457 | 1,127 / 344 | [21] |
3 | Aon Center | 1,136 / 346 | 1,136 / 346 | [20] |
4 | AT&T Corporate Center | 1,007 / 307 | 1,007 / 307 | [23] |
5 | Two Prudential Plaza | 995 / 303 | 995 / 303 | [25] |
6 | 311 South Wacker Drive | 961 / 293 | 961 / 293 | [27] |
7 | One Prudential Plaza | 912 / 278 | 601 / 183 | [84] |
8 | 900 North Michigan | 871 / 265 | 871 / 265 | [29] |
9 | Water Tower Place | 859 / 262 | 859 / 262 | [31] |
10 | Chase Tower | 850 / 259 | 850 / 259 | [33] |
This lists buildings that are under construction in Chicago and are planned to rise at least 500 feet (152 m). Under construction buildings that have already been topped out are also included.
Name | Height ft / m |
Floors | Year | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago Spire | 2,000 / 610 | 150 | 2012 | Construction of this building has been suspended. Upon completion, will be the tallest building in the United States. It will also stand as the second-tallest all-residential building in the world and tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere.[13][202][203] |
Trump International Hotel and Tower | 1,362 / 415 | 96 | 2009 | This building topped out in August 2008. Tallest development by Donald Trump currently under construction in the world. Upon completion, it will break the record for the world's highest residence that is currently held by the John Hancock Center, but will likely lose the title to the Chicago Spire in 2011.[14][18] |
Waterview Tower | 1,047 / 319 | 89 | 2009 | Construction suspended.[15][204] |
Aqua | 822 / 251 | 82 | 2009 | Upon completion, will stand as one of tallest buildings in the world designed by a female-lead architectural firm. Will be the first skyscraper in Chicago to contain a hotel, condominiums, apartments and retail space.[205][206][207][208] |
The Legacy at Millennium Park | 819 / 250 | 73 | 2009 | [209][210] |
300 North LaSalle | 785 / 239 | 60 | 2009 | Topped out in July 2008.[36][37] |
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower | 743 / 226 | 54 | 2010 | Building is undergoing a height addition; it was originally completed in 1997 with a height of 571 feet (174 m).[211][212] |
One Museum Park | 734 / 224 | 62 | 2008 | Topped out in early 2008.[42][43] |
Elysian | 686 / 209 | 60 | 2009 | [213][214] |
155 North Wacker | 638 / 195 | 45 | 2009 | [215][216] |
353 North Clark | 624 / 190 | 44 | 2009 | [217][218] |
One Museum Park West | 620 / 189 | 54 | 2009 | [219][220] |
The Clare at Water Tower | 589 / 179 | 52 | 2008 | Will stand as one of the tallest senior living centers in the world upon completion.[221][222] |
Streeter Place | 570 / 174 | 53 | 2009 | [223] |
600 Lake Shore Drive, South Tower | 513 / 156 | 47 | 2008 | Topped out in early 2008.[181] |
This lists buildings that are approved for construction in Chicago and are planned to rise at least 500 feet (152 m). A floor count of 40 stories is used as the cutoff in place of a height of 500 feet (152 m) for buildings whose heights have not yet been released by their developers.
Name | Height* ft / m |
Floors | Year | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and Residence Tower | 1,265 / 386 | 107 | 2012 | [17][224] |
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Chicago | 930 / 283 | 78 | 2010 | [225][226] |
Cityfront Plaza Tower III | 65 | 2009 | [227][228] |
* Table entries without text indicate that information regarding building heights, floor counts, and/or dates of completion has not yet been released.
This lists buildings that are proposed for construction in Chicago and are planned to rise at least 500 feet (152 m). A floor count of 40 stories is used as the cutoff in place of a height of 500 feet (152 m) for buildings whose heights have not yet been released by their developers.
Name | Height* ft / m |
Floors* | Year* | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Grant Park Tower IV | 900 / 274 | 83 | [229] | |
29 South LaSalle | 870 / 265 | 51 | 2009 | [230][231] |
Park Michigan | 866 / 264 | 80 | 2009 | [232][233] |
InterContinental Chicago (North Tower) | 850 / 259 | 71 | 2009 | [234][235] |
375 East Wacker Drive | 840 / 259 | 76 | 2010 | [236] |
Grant Park Tower III | 790 / 241 | 73 | [237][238] | |
200 North Riverside Plaza | 700 / 213 | 50 | 2009 | [239] |
Lakeshore East Building 2-O | 650 / 198 | [240] | ||
150 East Ontario | 588 / 179 | 51 | [241] | |
Lakeshore East Building 2-A | 550 / 168 | 2010 | [242] | |
Lakeshore East Building 3-I | 525 / 160 | 2010 | [243] | |
630 North McClurg Court, South Tower | 515 / 157 | 50 | 2009 | Also known as 335-363 East Erie South.[244][245] |
630 North McClurg Court, North Tower | 515 / 157 | 50 | 2009 | Also known as 335-363 East Erie North.[246][247] |
The Peshtigo | 58 | 2010 | [248] | |
Medici Towers I | 53 | [249] | ||
Central Station - 1200 South Indiana | 53 | 2009 | [250] | |
222 West Randolph | 50 | [251] | ||
740 North Rush | 50 | [252] | ||
319 East Illinois Street | 50 | [253] |
* Table entries without text indicate that information regarding building heights, floor counts, and/or dates of completion has not yet been released.
This lists structures that once held the title of tallest building in Chicago. The title of tallest building in the city has changed many times over the decades, although only the Sears Tower has held the title of world's tallest building.
Name | Street address | Years as tallest | Height ft / m |
Floors | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First Holy Name Cathedral[C] | 733 N. State Street | 1854–1869 | 245 / 75 | 1 | [254] |
Saint Michael's Church | 1633 N. Cleveland Avenue | 1869–1885 | 290 / 88 | 1 | [255] |
Chicago Board of Trade Building[D] | 141 W. Jackson Boulevard | 1885–1895 | 322 / 98 | 10 | [256] |
Masonic Temple Building | N. State Street and E. Randolph Street | 1895–1899 | 302 / 92 | 21 | [257] |
Montgomery Ward Building[E] | 6 N. Michigan Avenue | 1889–1922 | 394 / 120 | 22 | [258] |
Wrigley Building | 400 N. Michigan Avenue | 1922–1924 | 438 / 134 | 27 | [259] |
Chicago Temple Building | 77 W. Washington Street | 1924–1930 | 568 / 173 | 23 | [117] |
Chicago Board of Trade Building | 141 W. Jackson Boulevard | 1930–1965 | 605 / 184 | 44 | [82] |
Richard J. Daley Center | 50 W. Washington Street | 1965–1969 | 648 / 198 | 32 | [63] |
John Hancock Center | 875 N. Michigan Avenue | 1969–1973 | 1,127 / 344 | 100 | [21] |
Aon Center | 200 E. Randolph Street | 1973–1974 | 1,136 / 346 | 83 | [20] |
Sears Tower | 233 S. Wacker Drive | 1974–present | 1,451 / 442 | 108 | [4] |
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