Private Architectural Walking Tour in Chicago Loop Landmarks
This private architectural walking tour in Chicago highlights the historic core of the Loop district. You will explore landmarks that define the Chicago School of architecture. How did innovation after the Great Fire influence modern city design? The Board of Trade and Rookery buildings reflect early skyscraper engineering. Federal Plaza introduces modern public art within a civic environment. The Marquette Building preserves decorative elements that honor exploration history. The Palmer House reflects early hospitality traditions with refined interiors. The Cultural Center concludes with one of the nation’s most significant civic art spaces. Please note: The program and attractions may vary based on booking date/time and crowd conditions, ensuring each visit is a unique experience.
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1
Chicago Board of Trade Building
The building is a popular sightseeing attraction and location for shooting movies, and its owners and management have won awards for their efforts to preserve the building and for office management. The building was listed as a Chicago Landmark in 1977 and a National Historic Landmark and National Register of Historic Places honoree in 1978.
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2
Rookery Building
The Rookery Building is a historic office building. After the Great Chicago Fire, a quickly constructed building was used as an interim city hall.
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3
Federal Plaza
Public square is known for its massive Alexander Calder sculpture & seasonal farmer's market. The piece was commissioned by the Government Services Administration and installed in 1974 to great fanfare, unveiled following a parade celebrating Calder’s work, with the artist sitting atop a circus wagon pulled by 40 horses.
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Marquette Building
The building was one of the early steel-frame skyscrapers of its day, and is considered one of the best examples of the Chicago School of architecture. The building features several distinct elements that have earned it honors as a Chicago Landmark, a National Historic Landmark, and a National Register Historic Place.
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5
Palmer House a Hilton Hotel
The Palmer House – A Hilton Hotel is a historic hotel in Chicago's Loop area. The Palmer House was the city's first hotel with elevators and the first hotel with electric light bulbs and telephones in the guest rooms.
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6
Marshall Field and Company Building
Marshall Field established numerous important business "firsts" in this building and in a long series of previous elaborate decorative structures on this site for the last century and a half. It is regarded as one of the three most influential establishments in the nationwide development of the department store and in the commercial business economic history of the United States.
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Chicago Cultural Center
Cultural Center is one of the city's most popular attractions and is considered one of the most comprehensive arts showcases in the United States. The Chicago Cultural Center underwent an extensive renovation in 2021 - 2022 with the goal of unearthing the original beauty of the building.