Architecture
The story of The Magnificent Mile hearkens to convictions of Chicago's great city planner and famed architect Daniel H. Burnham. In his 1909 vision for the Plan of Chicago, Burnham wrote: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble and logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with growing intensity. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be 'order' and your beacon 'beauty.'"
In the coming decades, a line of like-minded Chicagoans—business people, developers, politicians and volunteers—stayed fast to Burnham's ideals. By the mid-20th century, North Michigan Avenue was a bustling and attractive street with worldwide recognition. Numerous architectural tours and famous vantage points are yours for the choosing via foot, trolley, boat and tall tower. Soak in sites such as the historic Water Tower, the longest standing structure on Michigan Avenue; the Michigan Avenue bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in the city of Chicago; as well as the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower, the earliest of the celebrated skyscrapers along The Magnificent Mile.The lower-level facade of the Tribune Tower is embedded with more than 150 stones from landmarks around the world, including the Taj Mahal, the Berlin Wall, the pyramids and the Great Wall of China. A mobile tour of the historic building can be enjoyed at your convenience by dialing 312-222-TOUR.
On May 14, 1920, the ground-breaking, double-decked steel bascule bridge linking South Michigan Avenue to Pine Street (subsequently renamed as a continuation of Michigan Avenue) was officially opened. Monumental bridge towers were built with Bedford stone and mansard roofs in 1928. Lined with flags, the bridge serves as a grand gateway to The Magnificent Mile and features detailed bas-relief sculptures depicting early Chicago history. Chicago’s First Lady Cruises, in partnership with the Chicago Architectural Foundation, presents the official Chicago Architectural river cruise and offers unique views of the historic bridge towers, Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower and striking Chicago skyline.
Hop-off your Chicago Trolley and Double Decker sightseeing tour in a classic red and green trolley or open-top double decker bus when you pass the Historic Water Tower. It is the longest standing structure on Michigan Avenue and the steadfast crown jewel of the street. The castellated Gothic tower was a rare survivor of the great Chicago Fire of 1871 and remains a symbol of Chicago's "I will" spirit.
Standing strong at the north end of The Magnificent Mile, The Drake Hotel Chicago occupies one of the most beautiful locations in the city, overlooking Lake Michigan and Oak Street Beach. Designed by Marshall and Fox in 1920, the 13-story limestone structure features grand public spaces and has a history of famous guests. Sweeping views of Chicago's architecture and extraordinary lakefront can also be enjoyed from the observatory in the soaring John Hancock Center at North Michigan Avenue between Chestnut and Delaware. Built in 1969 by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the building's exterior is aluminum and glass with distinctive x-shaped external bracing that has made it an architectural icon. For that, we can thank engineer Fazlur Khan. He pioneered this system to derive higher performance from tall structures and open up usable floor space (the X-bracing virtually eliminates the need for interior columns). The John Hancock Observatory offers a stunning, sensational view, multi-media tours, an open air Skywalk and the fastest elevators in North America!