The Chicago Traveler

John Hancock Center: the OTHER Black Skyscraper

by Matt B on May 26th, 2008

Earlier today, I wrote about Chicago's architectural icon, the Sears Tower. I feel it necessary now to write about its older, shorter brother, the John Hancock Center.

It amazes me just how many tourists confuse the two. To me, the Sears Tower and John Hancock look nothing alike. Whereas the Sears Tower is made of nine square columns, the John Hancock is a single tower gripped by a series of cross braces. It is the third-tallest skyscraper in Chicago (following the Sears Tower and the Aon Center) and the fifth-tallest in the country. At the tip of its antennas, it stands at 1500 feet (457 m) with 100 floors, home to offices, restaurants, and 700 condominiums. In fact, the John Hancock contains the highest residences in the world.

Perhaps people confuse the two buildings because they were built within 5 years of each other or because both are intimidating black blocks of steel and glass. And both are unique features of the Windy City, their likenesses found in photographs, movies, logos, etc. The X's that make the John Hancock so identifiable though aren't just for decoration. The braces actually eliminate the need for inner support beams, which allows for even more floor space.

The John Hancock also is not just a boring black box. It actually narrows as it rises, tapering by a total of 105 feet (32 m) on the east and west sides and 65 feet (20 m) on the north and south. This play on perspective makes the tower appear even taller than it is.

Chicago had been known for great architecture for years, but the John Hancock Center really opened the door for downtown skyscrapers. Before its construction, Michigan Avenue was lined with low-rise buildings that all looked the same. After 1969 and the completion of the tower though, the Magnificent Mile and it surrounding streets soon came to be home to several buildings reaching for the sky.

Finally, the building's first resident was Benjamin Gingiss, one of the founders of Gingiss Formalwear. (I got my prom tuxedos from there! The Chicago business was eventually sold to competitor Men's Wearhouse.) Comedian Chris Farley also lived in the John Hancock until his death in 1997, and Jerry Springer, who still lives there, was his next-door neighbor.

Remember, the Signature Lounge is also housed here on the 96^th floor, where the women's restrooms are considered the best in the city. The ride up will be a short one: the elevators are the fastest in the United States, traveling 95 stories in 40 seconds. (That's 20 miles per hour! [32 kph]) General admission to the Observatory is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (65+), and $8 for children (ages 4-11). Individual tours and audio tours cost extra. The John Hancock Observatory is also one of over 25 attractions whose admission is included with the Go Chicago Card. Call (312-944-5994) for information on parking rates.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) wallyg (1, 2), Vlastula, ramon82

John Hancock Center: 875 N Michigan Ave; 312-751-3681
Observatory Hours
Daily: 9:00 a.m. ' 11:00 p.m.
Street parking difficult; pay lot available
Public trans: Bus # 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 or Red Line (Chicago)
http://www.hancock-observatory.com/
http://www.johnhancockcenterchicago.com/
3-D View (Google Earth required)

Related Stories

"T" Time
Chicago May Have America’s Best Restroom
Friday Film: Brannigan
Friday Film: Continental Divide
Doing the Architectural Rounds

POSTED IN: Architecture & Attractions