John Hancock Center - Architecture, Facts, and Figures

John Hancock Center Location :

John Hancock Center
875 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Map It

Related Reading: The John Hancock Observatory - Planning Your Visit.

John Hancock Center Overview:

Although the Sears Tower wins the hearts of Chicagoans who love architectural superlatives, I prefer the graceful criss-cross grid of the Hancock and its gently tapering form. I find it to be the more beautiful building of the two.

Its location in the heart of the Magnificent Mile, and the sweeping views of the city and the expanse of Lake Michigan provided by the observatory and the Signature Room, make it easy to see why this building is a Chicago favorite.

John Hancock Center Architecture :

The building was completed in 1970, and it was designed by Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill. Bruce Graham was the architect and Fazlur R. Khan was the engineer.

In 1994, the Hancock's lower-level, where the building meets the street and below street level, plus the plaza, were re-designed by architects Hiltscher Shapiro.

John Hancock Center Facts and Figures:

The building is a 100-story mixed-use center.

It has 896,980 square feet of office space and 171,771 square feet of retail space.

49 floors are dedicated to residential condominiums.

34,307 square feet of TV and radio broadcast facilities.

The elevators move at 1,800 feet per minute.

Source: The John Hancock Center and the John Hancock Observatory Websites

John Hancock Center - Who's Tallest?:

The Hancock stands 457.2m to the top of its antennae and 343.5m to its roof.*

It's currently the third tallest completed building in Chicago behind the Sears Tower and the Aon Center. When the Trump Tower is completed and should the Chicago Spire see completion, they would "trump" the Hancock in height as well.

*Source: SkyscraperPage.com

Restaurants at the John Hancock Center:

The Signature Room at the 95th
Undeniably one of the best views in the city.

The Cheesecake Factory
Expensive, good food in big portions served in an atmosphere that resembles the inside of a mushroom.

Jamba Juice
Juice bar and healthy fruits fast.

L'Appetito
Popular stop with great sandwiches.

John Hancock Center Website:

John Hancock Center Official Website