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Offered languages
- German
- English
Trace a century of daring architectural gambles in Chicago's Loop. From six-foot brick walls to soaring glass curtain walls, discover how engineers conquered swamp soil, roaring fires, and howling winds to invent the modern skyscraper.
- A 1.6 km self-guided tour with 8 stops over 96 min
- Ideal for travelers interested in Urbanism, Infrastructure & Innovation and Art, Design & Aesthetics
- Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals
- Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet outside the Manhattan Building at 431 S Dearborn Street. Please wait near the main entrance without blocking access. Check your route and local transit connections on the day of travel.
The tour ends outside the Reliance Building at 1 W Washington Street, near State Street. From here, plan your onward journey using current CTA information and the nearest suitable station.
Itinerary
-
1
The world's oldest surviving building using a pure skeletal structure throughout, supporting both internal floors and external walls.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Monadnock Building
Represents the absolute limit of load-bearing masonry technology, featuring six-foot-thick base walls.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
An early masterpiece of steel frame construction and terra cotta cladding, allowing for huge expanses of glass and gothic details.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4The Rookery Building
Showcases pioneering grillage foundation technique and Frank Lloyd Wright's interior light court redesign.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Marquette Building
Features the tripartite façade division and iconic three-part Chicago Window design by Holabird & Roche.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
A mid-20th century landmark moving structural columns to the exterior perimeter for clear-span floor plates.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Sullivan Center
Louis Sullivan's masterwork expressing his 'form follows function' ethos with intricate cast-iron ornament.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Reliance Building
The direct predecessor to modern glass curtain-wall skyscrapers, featuring a steel frame and glazed white terra cotta.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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