Citigroup Center in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
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Citigroup Center in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
Click here to license this image
Click here to purchase a poster or print of this image
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Citigroup Center in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
Click here to license this image
Click here to purchase a poster or print of this image
Citigroup Center in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
Click here to license this image
Click here to purchase a poster or print of this image
Citigroup Center in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
Click here to license this image
Click here to purchase a poster or print of this image
Citigroup Center in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
Click here to license this image
Click here to purchase a poster or print of this image
Citigroup Center in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
Click here to license this image
Click here to purchase a poster or print of this image
Citigroup Center in Chicago, Illinois
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
Click here to license this image
Click here to purchase a poster or print of this image

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Citigroup Center
Formerly:Citicorp Center
Formerly:Northwestern Atrium
500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois, West Town 60661 United StatesPrint this page   •   Share this page   •   Map This

Text by Wayne Lorentz

A massive hulk of a building that manages to not feel imposing in spite of its girth. The Citigroup Center combines reflective glass with setbacks to maximize office space while remaining pedestrian-friendly.

In essence, this building is actually a group of three traditional Art Deco towers attached shoulder-to-shoulder and clad in blue glass. The massing of a shaft on top of a podium with additional setbacks at the top is a method used for a hundred years to make sure that light reaches street level. By covering this building in reflective blue glass it maximizes the amount of light it shares and also helps blend into the sky to reduce its visual footprint.

Though some believe the shape of the building is reminiscent of a cash register to represent its largest tenant, it is actually intended to look like a waterfall to help link it to the nearby Chicago River.

Part of the reason for the spread at the bottom of the building is to incorporate a shopping mall and the Ogilvie Transportation Center, a busy suburban commuter railroad station.

Chicago Spire Condo Information
Quick Facts
Statistics
  • Floor space: 1,460,000 square feet
  • Atrium height: 80 feet.
  • Elevators: 24
Timeline
  • December 8, 2007: Inventor Joe Jackson snaps and begins shooting up a law office on the 38th floor of this building. Three people are killed and one wounded before police manage to kill the gunman.
Notes
  • Architect: Helmut Jahn
Stacking Diagram
41: 
32-40: 
31: 
20-30: 
18-19: 
17: 
14-16: 
13: 
4-12: 
Mezzanine: 
3: 
2: 
1: 
B1: 
Did You Know?
  • This was formerly the site of the Chicago and NorthWestern rail terminal, built in 1911 by Frost and Granger.
Look For
  • The shape of the upper stories, which some people believe resembles a giant old-fashioned cash register.
Rate This Skyscraper
method='post' action='/Building.php?ID=1041#Rate'>Current rating:50% 70%  name='Rating' id='Rating' value='Praise' class='Plain'> name='Rating' id='Rating' value='Raze' class='Plain'>

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Your Thoughts

There are four comments.

  I love this building! I walk past it everyday and go to its foodcourt occassionally. For its massive size it doesn't make a giant visual footprint - but is still visually beautiful, which is something only good design can accomplish!

Joshua - Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 @ 7:38pm  

  I'm sorry. This building is lying. There is NO way this HUUUGE hunk of beautiful glass covered monolith - is only 588ft tall! C'mon now, I KNOW the tape measure says one thing, but spooky truth says another. It's waaay taller than that.. surely?? It's all just one big magic trick.. I am certain of it!(PS. It IS gorgeous though!)

Russ - Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 @ 7:01pm  

  so sleek and sexy it belongs among chicago best and the view from the top is aww inspiring

such a perfect building in every way fom design to fuctionality - Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 @ 2:06pm  

  the first time i saw this building (1992)I was impressed with its design it looks like a waterfall cascating down a cliff it is a beautiful building

Wilbert NYC - Tuesday, June 20th, 2006 @ 5:05am  

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