John Hancock Center

Skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois

For the tower in Boston, see John Hancock Tower. For other similarly named buildings, see John Hancock Building.

875 North Michigan Avenue

875 North Michigan Avenue in October 2015, viewed from the Willis Tower

Location within Chicago metropolitan area

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John Hancock Center (Illinois)

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John Hancock Center (the United States)

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Record height
Tallest in Chicago from 1969 to 1973[I]
Preceded by| Richard J. Daley Center
Surpassed by| Willis Tower
General information
Status| Completed
Architectural style| Structural Expressionism
Location| Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Address| 875 North Michigan Avenue (additional entrances at 175 East Delaware Place and 170 East Chestnut Street)
Coordinates| 41°53′56″N 87°37′23″W﻿ / ﻿41.8988°N 87.6230°W﻿ / 41.8988; -87.6230
Construction started| 1965
Completed| 1969; 55 years ago (1969)
Cost| US$100 million[1]
($831 million in 2023 dollars[2])
Owner| The Hearn Company
Height
Architectural| 1,128 ft (344 m)[3]
Tip| 1,500 ft (457 m)[3]
Roof| 1,128 ft (344 m)
Top floor| 1,054 ft (321 m)[3]
Observatory| 1,030 ft (314 m)[3]
Technical details
Floor count| 100[3]
Floor area| 2,799,973 sq ft (260,126 m2)[3]
Lifts/elevators| 50, made by Otis Elevator Company[3]
Design and construction
Architect(s)| Bruce Graham & Fazlur Rahman Khan
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Developer| John Hancock Insurance
Structural engineer| Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)
Main contractor| Tishman Construction Co.
Website
875northmichiganavenue.com
References
[3][4][5][6]

The John Hancock Center is a 100-story, 1,128-foot[7] supertall skyscraper located in Chicago, Illinois. Located in the Magnificent Mile district, the building was officially renamed 875 North Michigan Avenue in 2018.

The skyscraper was designed by Peruvian-American chief designer Bruce Graham and Bangladeshi-American structural engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM).[8] When the building topped out on May 6, 1968,[1] it was the second-tallest building in the world after the Empire State Building, in New York City, and the tallest in Chicago. It is currently the fifth-tallest building in Chicago and the thirteenth-tallest in the United States, behind the Aon Center in Chicago and ahead of the Comcast Technology Center in Philadelphia. When measured to the top of its antenna masts, it stands at 1,500 feet (457 m).[9] The building is home to several offices and restaurants, as well as about 700 condominiums, and at the time of its completion contained the highest residence in the world. The building was named for John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, a developer and original tenant of the building, which itself was named for the U.S. Founding Father John Hancock.[10] In 2018 John Hancock Insurance, years after leaving the building, requested that its name be removed; the owner is seeking another naming rights deal.[10]

From the 95th-floor restaurant, which closed in late 2023, diners were able look out at Chicago and Lake Michigan. The observatory (360 Chicago),[11] which competes with the Willis Tower's Skydeck, has a 360° view of the city, up to four states, and a distance of over 80 miles (130 km). 360 Chicago is home to TILT, a moving platform that leans visitors over the edge of the skyscraper to a 30-degree angle,[12] a full bar with local selections,[13] Chicago's only open-air SkyWalk, and also features free interactive high-definition touchscreens in six languages.[14] The 44th-floor sky lobby features the highest indoor swimming pool in the United States.[15]

## History

[edit]

### 20th century

[edit]

August 17, 1968 photograph of the John Hancock Center during construction

The project, which would become the world's second tallest building at opening, was conceived and owned by Jerry Wolman in late 1964. The project was financed by John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company. Construction of the tower was interrupted in 1967 due to a flaw in an innovative engineering method used to pour concrete in stages, that was discovered when the building was 20 stories high.[16] The engineers were getting the same soil settlements for the 20 stories that had been built as what they had expected for the entire 99 stories. This forced the owner to stop development until the engineering problem could be resolved, resulting in a credit crunch. The situation is similar to the one faced during the construction of 111 West Wacker, then known as the Waterview Tower. Wolman's bankruptcy resulted in John Hancock taking over the project, which retained the original design, architect, engineer, and main contractor.

The building's first resident was Ray Heckla, the original building engineer, responsible for the residential floors from 44 to 92. Heckla moved his family in April 1969, before the building was completed.

The 1988 film Poltergeist III was set at the John Hancock Center and was filmed in early 1987.[17]

### 21st century

[edit]

On December 10, 2006, the non-residential portion of the building was sold by San Francisco–based Shorenstein Properties for $385 million[a] and was purchased by a joint venture of Chicago-based Golub & Company and the Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds.[18] Shorenstein Properties had bought the building in 1998 for $220 million.[b]

Golub defaulted on its debt and the building was acquired in 2012 by Deutsche Bank, who subsequently carved up the building.[19] The venture of Deutsche Bank and New York–based NorthStar Realty Finance paid an estimated $325 million[c] for debt on 875 North Michigan Avenue in 2012 after Shorenstein Properties defaulted on $400 million[d] in loans.[20] The observation deck was sold to Paris-based Montparnasse 56 Group for between $35 million and $45 million[e] in July 2012.[21] That same month, Prudential Real Estate Investors acquired the retail and restaurant space for almost $142 million.[f][22] In November 2012, Boston-based American Tower Corp affiliate paid $70 million[g] for the antennas.[23] In June 2013, a venture of Chicago-based real estate investment firm Hearn Co., New York–based investment firm Mount Kellett Capital Management L.P. and San Antonio–based developer Lynd Co. closed on the expected acquisition of 875 North Michigan Avenue's 856,000 square feet (79,500 m2) of office space and 710-car parking deck. The Chicago firm did not disclose a price, but sources said it was about $145 million.[h][20] This was the last step in that piecemeal sale process.[20] In May 2016, Hearn Co. announced that they were seeking buyers for the naming rights with possible signage rights for the building.[24]

Hustle up the Hancock is an annual stair climb race up the 94 floors from the Michigan Avenue level to the observation deck. It is held on the last Sunday of February. The climb benefits Respiratory Health Association. The record time as of 2007 is 9 minutes 30 seconds.

The building is home to the transmitter of Univision's WGBO-DT (channel 66), while all other full-power television stations in Chicago broadcast from Willis Tower. The City Colleges of Chicago's WYCC (channel 20) transmitted from the building until November 2017, when it departed the air as part of the 2016 FCC spectrum auction.

On February 12, 2018, John Hancock Insurance requested that its name and logos throughout the building's interior be removed immediately; John Hancock had not had a naming-rights deal with the skyscraper's owners since 2013. The building's name was subsequently changed to its street address as 875 North Michigan Avenue.[25]

### Incidents

[edit]

On November 11, 1981, Veterans Day, high-rise firefighting and rescue advocate Dan Goodwin, for the purpose of calling attention to the inability to rescue people trapped in the upper floors of skyscrapers, successfully climbed the building's exterior wall. Wearing a wetsuit and using a climbing device that enabled him to ascend the I-beams on the building's side, Goodwin battled repeated attempts by the Chicago Fire Department to knock him off. Fire Commissioner William Blair ordered Chicago firemen to stop Goodwin by directing a fully engaged fire hose at him and by blasting fire axes through nearby glass from the inside. Fearing for Goodwin's life, Mayor Jane Byrne intervened and allowed him to continue to the top.[26][27]

On December 18, 1997, comedian Chris Farley was found dead in his apartment on the 60th floor of the building.[28][29]

On March 9, 2002, part of a scaffold fell 43 stories after being torn loose by wind gusts around 60 mph (100 km/h) crushing several cars, killing three people in two of them. The remaining part of the stage swung back-and-forth in the gusts repeatedly slamming against the building, damaging cladding panels, breaking windows, and sending pieces onto the street below.

On November 21, 2015, a fire broke out in an apartment on the 50th floor of the building. The Chicago Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire after an hour and a half; five people suffered minor injuries.[30]

On February 11, 2018, a fire in a car on the seventh floor required approximately 150 firefighters to extinguish.[31]

On November 16, 2018, an express elevator cable broke. Initial reports stated that an elevator with six passengers plunged 84 stories from the 95th to 11th floor. Since express elevators are not accessible from floors within the express zone, a team of firefighters had to break through a brick wall from the parking garage to extricate the passengers, none of whom suffered injuries. Elevators to the 95th/96th floor were closed thereafter pending investigation.[32] Subsequent investigation documented only a controlled descent from the 20th floor to the 11th floor.[33]

A piece of cladding fell from the building on January 5, 2022.[34]

## Architecture

[edit]

John Hancock Center in 1974 X-bracing on the tower's facade

One of the most famous buildings of the structural expressionist style, the skyscraper's distinctive X-braced exterior shows that the structure's skin is part of its "tubular system". This is one of the engineering techniques which the designers used to achieve a record height; the tubular system is the structure that keeps the building upright during wind and earthquake loads. This X-bracing allows for both higher performance from tall structures and the ability to open up the inside floorplan. Such original features have allowed 875 North Michigan Avenue to become an architectural icon. It was pioneered by Bangladeshi-American structural civil engineer Fazlur Khan and chief architect Bruce Graham.

The interior was remodeled in 1995, adding to the lobby travertine, black granite, and textured limestone surfaces. The elliptical-shaped plaza outside the building serves as a public oasis with seasonal plantings and a 12-foot (3.7 m) waterfall. A band of white lights at the top of the building is visible all over Chicago at night, and changes colors for different events. For example, at Christmas time the colors are green and red. When a Chicago-area sports team goes far in the playoffs, the colors are changed to match that team's colors.

The building is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers. It has won various awards for its distinctive style, including the Distinguished Architects Twenty-five Year Award from the American Institute of Architects in May 1999.[35] In celebration of the 2018 Illinois Bicentennial, the John Hancock Center was selected as one of the Illinois 200 Great Places[36] by the American Institute of Architects Illinois component (AIA Illinois) and was recognized by USA Today Travel magazine, as one of AIA Illinois' selections for Illinois 25 Must See Places.[37]

2015 photograph of the interior of one of the Otis Elevator Company-manufactured express elevators that serve the observation deck, The Signature Room, and Signature Lounge

The building is only partially protected by a fire sprinkler system,[38] as the residential floors do not have sprinklers.[39] Including its antennas, the building has a height of 1,500 feet (457 m), making it the thirty-third tallest building in the world when measured to pinnacle height.[40]

## Features

[edit]

### 360 Chicago Observation Deck

[edit]

Panoramic photograph showing the southeast interior corner of the observation deck in 2017

Located on the 94th floor, 360 Chicago Observation Deck is 875 North Michigan Avenue's horizon observatory. The floor of the observatory is 1,030 feet (310 m) above the street-level below. The entrance can be found on the concourse level of 875 North Michigan Avenue, accessible from the Michigan Avenue side of the building. The observatory, previously named John Hancock Observatory, has been independently owned and operated since 2014 by the Montparnasse 56 Group of Paris, France.[41] The elevators are credited as the fastest in the Western Hemisphere, with a top speed of 1,800 ft/min (20.5 mph; 9 m/s).[42] The observatory boasts more floor space than its direct competitor, Skydeck at the Willis Tower. There is a full bar called BAR 94 which stocks local beer and spirits from Revolution Brewing and KOVAL Distillery.[43] The observation deck also features an open-air "skydeck" area.

The Observatory elevators of 875 North Michigan Avenue, manufactured by Otis, travel 96 floors at a top speed of 1,800 ft/min (20 mph; 9.1 m/s). It has been said the elevators to the observation deck are the fastest in North America, reaching the 95th floor in 38 seconds if they could run the entire trip at top speed.[40]

For several years in the 2010s, during its winter season, the observation deck would feature the "world's highest skating rink", with an artificial ice rink being seasonally installed.[44][45][46]

At one point, observation deck had a mascot named Seemore Miles.[44]

In the summer of 2014, 360 Chicago added its TILT attraction. TILT, which requires an additional fee to experience, features a series of floor-to-ceiling windows that slowly tilt outside the building to 30°.[47]

General images of the 360 Chicago Observation Deck

* Tourists enjoy north-facing observation deck views in 2017

* Tourists enjoy views at the southwest corner of the observation deck in 2017

* Tourists enjoy south-facing views in 2005

* Southeast corner of the observation deck in 2015

* Northeast corner of the observation deck in 2005

* Children skate on an artificial ice rink erected on along the north-facing end of the observation deck in late-2011

* Plaza-level entrance to the observatory photographed in 2013 (when it was known as the "John Hancock Center Observatory")

Images of the TILT Thrill Ride

* 2014 interior view of tourists on the TILT Thrill Ride, with the attraction in its outward-leaning position

* 2014 interior view of tourists on the TILT Thrill Ride, with the attraction in its outward-leaning position

* 2014 interior view of the TILT Thrill Ride in its non-tilted position

* Exterior view showing tourists on the TILT Thrill Ride in 2014

Images of the SkyWalk

* Tourists in the observation deck's screen-protected open-air SkyWalk area in 2013

* Exterior view of the SkyWalk area in 2014

* Entrance to the open-air SkyWalk in 2005

### 95th floor restaurant and 96th floor bar

[edit]

Southeast corner of the Signature Room in 2017

Separate from its observatory, 875 Michigan Avenue has a restaurant space on its 95th floor and a bar space on its 96th floor. Prior to 1993, the space was occupied by a restaurant named The 95th.[48] From 1993 until 2023, the 95th floor was home to a restaurant named the Signature Room, with the accompanying bar on the 96th floor being called the Signature Lounge.[49][50][51] The name alluded to the famous signature of early American figure John Hancock.[48] The restaurant was an upscale establishment that offered patrons scenic views. It enforced a dress code for patrons.[50] It received numerous awards. In April 2023, the restaurant and bar were listed for sale.[52] In September 2023, the Signature Room abruptly ceased operations, with ownership citing "severe economic hardship" that they attributed to the impact of the earlier COVID-19 pandemic.[53][54]

Images of the Signature Room

* Northeast corner of the Signature Room in 2014

* East-facing view of The Signature Room in 2008

* South-facing view showing patrons dining in The Signature Room at night in 2018

Images of the Signature Lounge

* The Signature Lounge facing south in 2017

* Patrons of Signature Lounge enjoying north-facing views in 2017

* Patrons of The Signature Lounge enjoy west facing views in 2017

* The Signature Lounge facing west at night in 2018

### Retail plaza

[edit]

Plaza, photographed in 2007

The building features a two-level outdoor plaza along its Michigan Avenue face. The plaza contains retail and dinning tenants. The top level of the plaza is at street level, while the lower level is sunken below the street level.[55]

Current tenants include The Cheesecake Factory and The North Face.[56] Past tenants have included Best Buy.[57]

The plaza was originally rectangular in shape.[58] Per the Chicago Tribune, the plaza was modeled after the plaza at New York City's Rockefeller Center. The plaza's design featured a fountain pool that would be turned into an ice rink in colder weather.[59]

In 1988, plans were unveiled by the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company (the owners of the building at the time) to replace the plaza with a "$20 million[i] glass and marble three-story atrium". One rationale cited by building's management was they claimed that access to the building's ground level was complicated by the need of pedestrians to circumnavigate around the courtyard in order to reach the street-level entrance to the building's lobby. They also cited a belief that the building's entrance was too understated for a building of its level of prominence. This atrium proposal faced backlash from local residents who felt that such an addition would mar the appearance of the landmark building.[60] In 1989, newly-elected mayor Richard M. Daley criticized the proposed atrium and the plans were ultimately abandoned.[58]

In 1994, the plaza was renovated, with the sunken portion transforming from its previous rectangular shape to an elliptical shape. In 1999, Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin wrote that this renovation had made the plaza a more "welcoming" space.[58] This renovation came after the more dramatic late-1980s renovation plans were abandoned.[58] A further $10 million renovation for the plaza was considered by the building's owners in the mid-2010s which would have added features such as video screens and decorative prisms to the plaza.[55][61]

Images of the plaza

* Plaza, photographed in 2007

* Christmas tree in the plaza in December 2011

* Plaza, photographed from Michigan Avenue street level in 2005

* Plaza, photographed in 2015

* Black and white photograph of the plaza in 2021

* Plaza, photographed from Michigan Avenue street level in 2014

### Parking garage

[edit]

Housed within several of the lower levels of the building is a parking garage, which cars enter and depart via a spiral vehicle ramp.[62]

Images of the parking garage

* Spiral vehicle ramp to the parking garage, photographed in 2015

* Spiral vehicle ramp to the parking garage, photographed in 2012

* Spiral vehicle ramp to the parking garage, photographed in 2016

* Spiral vehicle ramp to the parking garage, photographed in 2007

### Antennas

[edit]

Antennas and the top of the building, photographed in 2009

Since its completion, the tower has been topped by two antenna structures. These antenna superstructures support a large number of broadcast antenna equipment. At the time of the tower's completion, both antenna structures were 350 feet (110 metres) in height, and RCA[clarification needed] had given the architects of the building an estimate that 700 feet of antenna structure would be required to accommodate all of the city's radio and television stations. In 2002, the eastern antenna tower was extended to a height of 378 feet (115 metres) in order to enable WBBM-TV to add new digital antenna equipment at a height greater than the roof height of the Sears Tower (Willis Tower). Subsequently, the western antenna tower was reduced to a height of 285 feet (87 metres).[63]

For a long time, the antenna towers utilized incandescent red lights and a red and white paint scheme to provide a visibility to aviation in compliance with federal regulations. However, in order to forgo the expense and effort of annually reapplying striped paint to the antenna towers, the tower instead installed red strobe lights atop the tower and eliminated the striped paint scheme, as striped paint is not required if structures are topped by such lights.[63]

A sizable number of television and radio stations utilize the antenna towers. Many stations maintain broadcast equipment on both the John Hancock Center and the Willis Tower's antenna structures in order to have both a primary and backup broadcasting point.[63]

In November 2012, Boston-based American Tower Corp affiliate paid $70 million[j] to acquire ownership of the antennas.[23]

Images of the antennas

* John Hancock Center in 1974, with the original striped paint scheme visible on its antenna towers

* Closeup view of an antenna, photographed in 2009

* View of antenna towers in 2022

* Antennas photographed in 2015

* Antennas photographed in 2016

### 44th floor sky lobby

[edit]

44th floor sky lobby, photographed in 2013

The 44th level skylobby is the floor where the building transitions from offices to residential, with offices occupying floors below and residences occupying floors above.[64]

#### Swimming pool

[edit]

On its 44th floor, the John Hancock Center has a resident swimming pool. The pool area has double-height ceilings.[65]

The pool is the highest pool in the United States when measured by distance above ground level.[65]

Images of the swimming pool

* Pool, captured in 2011

* Pool and its south-facing view of the city, photographed in 2016

#### Resident/office tenant grocery store

[edit]

On its 44th floor, the building has a 5,200 square feet (480 m2) grocery store accessible only to apartment residents and office tenants. In 2007, operation of the grocery store was taken over by the local Potash chain of grocery stores.[66] As of February 2023, Potash continues to operate the grocery store.[67]

## See also

[edit]

* Chicago portal
* Illinois portal
* Architecture portal

* Architecture of Chicago
* List of buildings and structures
* List of buildings with 100 floors or more
* List of tallest buildings in the world
* List of tallest buildings in Chicago
* List of tallest buildings in the United States
* List of tallest buildings and structures in the world
* List of tallest freestanding structures in the world
* List of tallest freestanding steel structures

## Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ equivalent to $582 million in 2023[2]
2. ^ equivalent to $411 million in 2023[2]
3. ^ equivalent to $431 million in 2023[2]
4. ^ equivalent to $531 million in 2023[2]
5. ^ equivalent to $46.5 million–$59.7 million in 2023[2]
6. ^ equivalent to almost $188 million in 2023[2]
7. ^ equivalent to $92.9 million in 2023[2]
8. ^ equivalent to $190 million in 2023[2]
9. ^ equivalent to $51.5 million in 2023[2]
10. ^ equivalent to $92.9 million in 2023[2]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "John Hancock Observatory – At a Glance" (PDF) (Press release). Edelman. 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2010.[permanent dead link]
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h "John Hancock Center - The Skyscraper Center". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Archived from the original on December 13, 2012.
4. ^ "John Hancock Center". SkyscraperPage.
5. ^ "John Hancock Center". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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7. ^ "John Hancock Center". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2004. Retrieved May 19, 2009.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
8. ^ p. 422, American Architecture: A History, Leland M. Roth, Westview Press, 2003, ISBN 0-8133-3662-7
9. ^ "The John Hancock Center: 875 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois". Chicago Architecture Info. Archived from the original on August 20, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
10. ^ a b "John Hancock Center skyscraper losing its iconic name" Archived February 13, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. Chicago Tribune, February 12, 2018.
11. ^ Malooley, Jake (January 30, 2014). "John Hancock Observatory to rebrand as 360 Chicago". Time Out Chicago. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
12. ^ Kuhrt Brewer, Carole. "TILT Chicago: A Thrill Ride One-Thousand Feet in the Sky Atop 360 CHICAGO". Chicago Now. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
13. ^ "360 CHICAGO and BAR 94 Announce Neighborhood Takeover with KOVAL Distillery". Chicago Food Magazine. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
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20. ^ a b c New owners of Hancock office space plan $45 million rehab. chicagobusiness.com
21. ^ "Boul Mich deck with la view". Crain's Chicago Business. July 18, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
22. ^ Oberlander, Marissa (July 23, 2012). "Hancock's retail, restaurant space sells for almost $142 million". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
23. ^ a b Oberlander, Marissa (November 21, 2012). "How much for the antennas atop Hancock Center?". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
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25. ^ Ori, Ryan (February 13, 2018). "John Hancock Center skyscraper losing its iconic name". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on May 22, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
26. ^ Headliners Higher and Higher Published: 15 November 1981, New York Times
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31. ^ Malagon, Elvia (February 11, 2018). "Car fire at John Hancock Center extinguished without injuries". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
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33. ^ "Former Hancock building broken elevator cable never caused 'freefall,' 3rd party inspection report says". ABC7. April 23, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
34. ^ Liederman, Mack (January 7, 2022). "A Piece Of The Hancock Building Fell Off In 'Freak Incident,' Terrifying Neighbors". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
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38. ^ John Hancock Center "Contractor & Vendor Rules and Regulations, June 2013" Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
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40. ^ a b "Asian Skyscrapers Dominate A New List Of The World's Fastest Elevators". Business Insider. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
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43. ^ "Cafe at 360 Chicago". 360 Chicago. Archived from the original on October 14, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
44. ^ a b "Chicago's John Hancock Observatory Launches Skating in the Sky". Crave Local. February 27, 2013. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
45. ^ "Skating In The Sky: Hancock Center Offers An Ice Skating Rink On The 94th Floor". HuffPost. December 28, 2010. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
46. ^ Tamboer, Andrea (December 29, 2010). "Chicago's John Hancock Center opening 94th floor skating rink". mlive. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
47. ^ "TILT". 360 chicago. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
48. ^ a b Vettel, Phil (June 25, 1993). "Hancock's the 95TH Signs Off On Signature Room Beginning July 9". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
49. ^ Ravenstel, PeterOc (October 3, 2019). "The Views Still Stun at the Signature Lounge". Chicago Magazine.
50. ^ a b "Signature Room on 95th floor of former Hancock building abruptly closes". NBC Chicago. September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
51. ^ "Signature Room at the 95th". www.chicagoreader.com. Chicago Reader. n.d. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
52. ^ Keller, Brennan (April 4, 2023). "Iconic Signature Room listed for sale". Chicago Star Media.
53. ^ Washburn, Kaitlin; Funk, Isabel (September 28, 2023). "Skyscraper heartbreaker? Romantic Signature Room atop former Hancock Center closes due to 'severe economic hardship'". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
54. ^ Ewing, Tia; Duly, Maggie (September 28, 2023). "The Signature Room, iconic Chicago restaurant, closes doors for good". Fox 32 Chicago. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
55. ^ a b Channick, Robert (May 20, 2016). "John Hancock Center shops naming rights to fund plaza redevelopment". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
56. ^ "John Hancock Center Chicago". Benihana. Archived from the original on July 17, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
57. ^ Ori, Ryan (July 22, 2019). "Best Buy closing store in former John Hancock Center, creating another Mag Mile vacancy". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
58. ^ a b c d Kamin, Blair (January 17, 1999). "Plain and Simple, Hancock Rules". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
59. ^ "Pools, Fountains, Greenery Creep Into Chicago Business District". Chicago Tribune. March 16, 1969. Retrieved February 27, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
60. ^ Joravsky, Ben (November 3, 1988). "The John Hancock Center Atrium: Are the owners trying to fix something that ain't broke?". Chicago Reader. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
61. ^ "Landmark status could delay Hancock Center renovations". www.bdcnetwork.com. Building Design + Construction. July 15, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
62. ^ "Hancock Center Garage". Show and Tell. www.chicagoobservations.com. June 2, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
63. ^ a b c Gunderson, Erica (May 23, 2018). "Ask Geoffrey: What's Up With These Mismatched Tower Toppers?". WTTW News. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
64. ^ "The City: Above the Hurly-Burly". Time. April 2, 1965. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
65. ^ a b Spula, Ian (December 15, 2011). "Harbor Point v. Hancock: Who's Got the Edge in Indoor Pools?". Curbed Chicago. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
66. ^ Boss, Donna (October 22, 2007). "Potash Opens a Store With a View". Supermarket News. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
67. ^ "Locations | Chicago". Potash Markets. Retrieved February 21, 2023.

The Cloudbase Chronicles, Life at the Top - An engineers Tale by Harry W. Budge III[1]

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 875 North Michigan Avenue.

* Official website
* 360 Chicago, formerly Hancock Observatory
* 875 North Michigan Avenue on CTBUH Skyscraper Center
* "875 North Michigan Avenue". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
* John Hancock Center at Structurae
* John Hancock Center
* Society of Architectural Historians SAH ARCHIPEDIA entry on John Hancock Center

Records

Preceded by

Richard J. Daley Center

|  Tallest building in Chicago
1969–1972
1,128 ft | Succeeded by

Aon Center

Preceded by

Prudential Tower

|  Tallest building in the United States outside of New York City
1969–1972
1,128 ft

* v
* t
* e

Supertall skyscrapers (300 m/984 ft and taller)

Completed

Africa

| Egypt|

* Iconic Tower

|

Americas

| Chile|

* Gran Torre Santiago

|

Mexico|

* Torres Obispado

United States|

* 1 Manhattan West
* 111 West 57th Street
* 3 World Trade Center
* 30 Hudson Yards
* 35 Hudson Yards
* 432 Park Avenue
* 50 Hudson Yards
* 53W53
* 875 North Michigan Avenue
* Aon Center
* Bank of America Plaza
* Bank of America Tower
* Central Park Tower
* Chrysler Building
* Comcast Technology Center
* Empire State Building
* Franklin Center
* JPMorgan Chase Tower
* One57
* One Vanderbilt
* One World Trade Center
* Salesforce Tower
* St. Regis Chicago
* The Brooklyn Tower
* The New York Times Building
* The Spiral
* Trump International Hotel and Tower
* Two Prudential Plaza
* U.S. Bank Tower
* Wells Fargo Plaza
* Willis Tower
* Wilshire Grand Center
* World Trade Center (1973–2001) †

Asia

| Hong Kong|

* Bank of China Tower
* Central Plaza
* International Commerce Centre
* International Finance Centre
* Nina Tower
* The Center

|

Japan|

* Abeno Harukas
* Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower

Kazakhstan|

* Abu Dhabi Plaza

Kuwait|

* Al Hamra Tower
* Arraya Tower

Malaysia|

* The Exchange 106
* Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur
* Merdeka 118
* Petronas Towers
* Telekom Tower

Philippines|

* Metrobank Center

Qatar|

* Aspire Tower
* Lusail Plaza Towers 3 and 4

Saudi Arabia|

* The Clock Towers
* Kingdom Centre
* PIF Tower

South Korea|

* Haeundae Doosan We've the Zenith
* Haeundae LCT The Sharp
* Lotte World Tower
* Parc1
* Posco Tower-Songdo

Taiwan|

* 85 Sky Tower
* Taipei 101

Thailand|

* Baiyoke Tower II
* ICONSIAM
* MahaNakhon

United Arab
Emirates|

* 23 Marina
* Address Boulevard
* Address Downtown
* ADNOC Headquarters
* Almas Tower
* Burj Al Arab
* Burj Khalifa
* Cayan Tower
* DAMAC Residenze
* Elite Residence
* Emirates Office Tower
* Etihad Towers
* Gevora Hotel
* HHHR Tower
* The Index
* Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel
* JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
* The Landmark
* Marina 101
* The Marina Torch
* Ocean Heights
* Princess Tower
* Rose Tower
* World Trade Center Abu Dhabi

Vietnam|

* Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower
* Landmark 81

Europe

| Poland|

* Varso Tower

|

Russia|

* City of Capitals
* Eurasia
* Federation Tower
* Lakhta Center
* Mercury City Tower
* Neva Towers 2
* OKO Tower

United Kingdom|

* The Shard

Oceania

| Australia|

* Australia 108
* Q1 Tower

|

* † No longer standing.

Under construction

| Asia|

| China|

* Chongqing Corporate Avenue 1
* Evergrande Center
* Eye of Spring Trade Center
* Greenland Group Suzhou Center
* Haikou Tower
* Nanjing World Trade Center Tower 1
* Ningbo Center
* North Bund Centre
* Shandong IFC
* South Asian Gate
* Suzhou Zhongnan Center
* Tianshan Gate of the World Plots 27 and 28
* Wuhan CTF Finance Center
* Xi'an Greenland Center
* Xiamen International Centre
* Xiangmi Lake New Financial Center

|

Other|

* Legacy Tower
* One Bangkok
* Taipei Twin Towers
* Thamrin Nine
* Torch Tower

North America|

* 270 Park Avenue
* 520 Fifth Avenue
* The One
* Waldorf Astoria Miami

South America|

* Senna Tower

On hold

* 2 World Trade Center
* 45 Broad Street
* Baoneng Shenyang Global Financial Center
* Busan Lotte Town Tower
* Chengdu Greenland Tower
* Chongqing Tall Tower
* Dalian Greenland Center
* Diamond Tower (Jeddah)
* Dubai Pearl
* Dubai Towers Doha
* Forum 66
* Gate of Kuwait
* Goldin Finance 117
* Hyundai Global Business Center
* Jeddah Tower
* Lamar Towers
* Mandarin Oriental Chengdu
* Marina 106
* Namaste Tower
* Nanjing Olympic Suning Tower
* One Tower
* Palais Royale, Mumbai
* Pentominium
* Runhua Global Center 1
* Ryugyong Hotel
* Sino-Steel Tower
* Skycity
* Square Capital Tower
* The Stratford Residences
* Tameer Commercial Tower
* Tianjin R&F Guangdong Tower
* Tour Financial Hub Center
* Tower Infinity
* VietinBank Business Center Office Tower

See also
Proposed supertall skyscrapers
List of architects of supertall buildings

* v
* t
* e

Chicago skyscrapers

Tallest buildings|

* 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly John Hancock Center)
* Aon Center
* Franklin Center
* St. Regis Chicago
* Trump International Hotel and Tower
* Two Prudential Plaza
* Willis Tower

Selected buildings
with 20 or more
floors|

* 35 East Wacker
* 55 East Erie
* 71 South Wacker
* 77 West Wacker
* 110 North Wacker
* 111 South Wacker
* 151 North Franklin
* 155 North Wacker
* 181 West Madison
* 311 South Wacker
* 330 North Wabash
* 333 North Michigan
* 333 South Wabash (formerly CNA Center)
* 333 Wacker Drive
* 340 on the Park
* 400 East Randolph
* 401 East Ontario
* 425 South Financial Place
* 541 North Fairbanks Court (formerly Time-Life Building)
* 540 West Madison
* 860-880 Lake Shore Drive
* 900 North Michigan
* 900 West Randolph
* 1700 East 56th Street
* Accenture Tower
* Aqua
* Bilandic Building
* The Blackstone Hotel
* BCBS Tower
* Boeing Building
* Builders Building
* Carbide & Carbon Building
* Chase Tower
* Chicago Board of Trade Building
* Chicago Place
* Chicago Temple Building
* City Hall Square Building
* Civic Opera House
* Coast at Lakeshore East
* Consumers Building
* Crain Communications Building
* Dirksen Federal Building
* Essex on the Park
* Field Building
* Fisher Building
* Grant Thornton Tower
* Harbor Point
* Hilton Chicago
* Home Insurance Building
* James R. Thompson Center
* Joffrey Tower
* Kluczynski Federal Building
* Lake Point Tower
* LaSalle–Wacker Building
* Legacy Tower
* Leo Burnett Building
* London Guarantee Building
* Lurie Children's Hospital
* Marina City
* Masonic Temple
* Mather Tower
* Metropolitan Tower
* Montauk Building
* NBC Tower
* NEMA
* Northwestern Memorial Hospital
* Olympia Centre
* One Bennett Park
* One Magnificent Mile
* One Museum Park
* One North LaSalle
* One North Wacker
* One Prudential Plaza
* Optima Signature
* Palmer House Hotel
* Palmolive Building
* Park Tower
* The Parkshore
* Peoples Gas Building
* Pittsfield Building
* Plaza 440
* Powhatan Apartments
* Presidential Towers
* Regents Park
* Richard J. Daley Center
* River East Center
* Roanoke Building
* The Shoreham
* Skybridge
* Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
* The Buckingham
* The Fordham
* The Heritage
* The Grant
* The Pinnacle
* Three First National Plaza
* Tribune Tower
* Virgin Hotels Chicago
* Waldorf Astoria Chicago
* Warwick Allerton
* Water Tower Place
* Wolf Point East Tower
* Wrigley Building

Chicago Landmark
skyscrapers with
12 or more floors|

* 300 West Adams Building
* The Arc at Old Colony
* Auditorium Building
* Brooks Building
* Bryn Mawr Apartment Hotel
* Chicago Building
* Gage Group Buildings
* Heyworth Building
* Hilliard Towers Apartments
* Inland Steel Building
* Manhattan Building
* Marquette Building
* Marshall Field and Company Building
* Monadnock Building
* Mundelein College Skyscraper Building
* New York Life Insurance Building
* Reliance Building
* Rookery Building
* Sullivan Center

See also|

* Architecture
* Art Deco
* Chicago City Hall
* Chicago School
* Washington Block

Buildings in italics have been demolished.

* v
* t
* e

John Hancock

* 1st and 3rd Governor of Massachusetts, 1780–1785, 1787–1793
* President, Second Continental Congress, 1775–1777, 1785-1786
* Boston Board of Selectmen, 1766–1775

United States
Founding events|

* HMS Liberty confiscation
* Sons of Liberty
* Co-inspired, Boston Tea Party
* 1774 Massacre Day speech
* President, Massachusetts Provincial Congress
* Chairman, Massachusetts Committee of Safety
* Presided over, signed, United States Declaration of Independence (signing
* Dunlap broadside)
* Signed, Articles of Confederation
* 1788 Massachusetts Compromise

Life|

* Early life
* Hancock–Clarke House
* Hancock Manor
* Massachusetts Hall, Harvard University
* Boston Cadets
* Co-founder, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
* United States presidential election, 1788–89
* Granary Burying Ground

Related|

* American Revolution
* patriots
* Founding Father
* Syng inkstand

Legacy|

* 1776 (1969 musical, 1972 film)
* Liberty's Kids (2002 animated series)
* John Adams (2008 miniseries)
* Sons of Liberty (2015 miniseries)
* USS Hancock, 1775
* USS Hancock, 1776
* USS John Hancock (1850)
* USS Hancock (1944)
* USS John Hancock (1977)
* John Hancock Center
* John Hancock Tower
* Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Family|

* Dorothy Quincy (wife)
* John Hancock Jr. (father)
* Thomas Hancock (uncle)
* John Hancock Sr. (grandfather)
* Edmund Quincy (father-in-law)

* v
* t
* e

Timeline of tallest buildings in Chicago

* First Holy Name Cathedral (75 m) (1854)
* Saint Michael's Church (88 m) (1869)
* Chicago Board of Trade Building (98 m) (1885)
* Masonic Temple Building (92 m) (1895)
* Montgomery Ward Building (120 m) (1899)
* Wrigley Building (134 m) (1922)
* Chicago Temple Building (173 m) (1924)
* Chicago Board of Trade Building (184 m) (1930)
* Richard J. Daley Center (198 m) (1965)
* John Hancock Center (344 m) (1969)
* Aon Center (346 m) (1973)
* Sears Tower/Willis Tower (442 m) (1974)

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* FAST

National|

* United States
* Israel

Geographic|

* Structurae

1. ^ Outskirts Press 2010

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