The Crain Communications Building in Chicago

• Construction start: 1983
• Construction finish: 1984
• Designed by: A. Epstein and Sons
• Type: Skyscraper
• Stories: 41
• Maximum Height: 575 feet / 175 meters

• Rentable floor space: 625,205 square feet.

• 2010: This building's name was changed from Smurfit-Stone Building to 150 North Michigan Avenue.
• 2011: Smurfit-Stone moved out of this building after being bought by a company in Georgia.
• March, 2012: The building name was changed to Crain Communications Building.

• The building that used to be on this site was the John Crerar Library. The 14-story building was erected in 1920 and designed by Holabird and Roche.
• One of the bogus "facts" sometimes presented by Chicago tour guides is that this building's sloping roof was designed to keep it's shadow from falling on a beach. This is incorrect. There isn't a beach anywhere near this building. There was a controversy over a building on Lake Shore Drive casting a shadow on the Ohio Street Beach in 2006, but that building was erected anyway with no alterations to its plan.
• The top five floors of this building are empty and are not included in its official floor count.

• Three years after its completion, this building played a central role in the film Adventures In Babysitting.

• CAIF - Chicago Architecture Info Forum

• 168 North Michigan
• 172 North Michigan
• 174 North Michigan
• 73 East Lake Street
• Millennium Park Plaza
• Lake-Michigan Building
• The Heritage at Millennium Park
• Chicago Cultural Center
• The Millennium Monument
• Columbus Drive Bridge

There are 15 comments.

  I think it's a great building because for my math project in class i have to build this building i think it's very awesome and i really want to see it from up close.

Tyrianna Hunter - Thursday, April 25th, 2013 @ 12:41pm  

  I may be biased, but I think that we still have the most amazing skyline in the world. The architecture in Chicago is diverse and filled with history, some of the greatest architects have contributed to this wonderful city. The Smurfit building is one of the most distinct and has become a focal point amongst all of the great buildings that frame it. I cannot imagine Chicago without it.

Milka Stanojevich - Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 @ 10:56am  

  A great design that fits distinctly into the Chicago skyline with a great location to provide a proper view of its unique roof.

Distinctive roof and style - Thursday, November 19th, 2009 @ 7:53pm  

  Now looking at the building from Millennium Park, one can see a great contrast with this building and Chicago's Trump Tower, but when looking from Buckingham Fountain, this building looks so much shorter to the other building than in 2007. With more taller buildings, it still stands out greatly in Chicago's Skyline. BCBS extension, 340 On The Park, Trump Tower Chicago, Aqua, 2 Pru, and Aon Center make it seem so much shorter, that the building has that angled power so it will not be missed or mistaken in the skyline. People will recognize Chicago on a foggy or cloudy day when the taller buildings are covered up in clouds or mist and see the building's angled roof and say "we are in Chicago".

Brent Kampert - Sunday, October 11th, 2009 @ 1:49pm  

  It is so immediately recognizable as Chicago's skyline. We're lucky to have it. I also like the the urban myths that accompany it. Makes adults giggle. We need more of that--giggling, of course.

J C Lennon - Sunday, May 17th, 2009 @ 9:21am  

  It's a beautiful building on the inside also. If your one of the lucky who've had a chance to work in the building, the view from the top floors overlooking the lake is beautiful.

Kevin - Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 @ 9:06pm  

  Not only in Adventures in Babysitting, but this building is also rapidly showed in Cheaper by the Dozen.

Artur - Sunday, August 17th, 2008 @ 1:10pm  

  I agree with Franz Hursker, because every time I go downtown, I get overwhelmed and excited!

Brent Kampert - Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 @ 8:08pm  

  One of my favourite Chicago buildings. I always look forward to seeing it when I visit.

Franz Hursker - Monday, May 19th, 2008 @ 1:56pm  

  this is the quintissential midwestern gal visiting the city with big-80's hair (and she still thinks she looks great)

JL - Friday, November 2nd, 2007 @ 2:05am  

  the prettiest building on the skyline. id love to visit it!

anne - Sunday, April 8th, 2007 @ 4:26am  

  This building with its diamond shaped top does stand out as you travel the lake front. When traveling into the city with first time visitors, they always comment on the building with the unusual roof. So I guess the designers accomplished one goal in drawing attention to it.

Thomas Semesky - Monday, November 27th, 2006 @ 1:29pm  

  This is the best skyscraper in Chicago with it's slanted diamond shaped roof, you can see it from the planetarium, as a great skyline addition for Chicago.

Brent Kampert - Sunday, November 5th, 2006 @ 6:12pm  

  On April 30, 2006, I went to a wedding in the One Prudential Plaza. I had a great view of what I often call the "Adventures in Babysitting Building". I was really excited after I read the "Did you know" section about this building.

Lala - Sunday, April 30th, 2006 @ 1:10am