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Tribune Tower: A Gothic Icon of Chicago

A landmark neo-Gothic skyscraper in Chicago, famed for its architectural design and historical fragments from world-renowned structures.

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The Tribune Tower, a neo-Gothic skyscraper completed in 1925, stands as a landmark of Chicago's architectural heritage. Home to the Chicago Tribune for many years, it's renowned for its design competition and the stones from famous world structures embedded in its facade.

A brief summary to Tribune Tower

Local tips

  • Examine the building's exterior to find stones and fragments from famous world landmarks embedded in the walls.
  • Visit the lobby to see the Hall of Inscriptions, featuring quotes on the importance of a free press.
  • Look for the carvings of Robin Hood and a howling dog near the entrance, which are visual puns of the architects' names.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Michigan Avenue Bridge, walk north along Michigan Avenue. The Tribune Tower is located at 435 N Michigan Ave, on the east side of the street, across from the Wrigley Building. No costs are involved.

  • Public Transport

    If starting from Chicago Union Station, take the #151 bus from Jackson & Chicago River to Michigan & Hubbard. The tower is a short walk north. A single ride on the bus costs $2.25.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available throughout Chicago. A taxi from Chicago Union Station to the Tribune Tower typically costs $7-$9. Note that taxi fares have a flag pull (base fare) of $3.25, plus $2.25 for each additional mile.

  • Parking

    If driving, parking is available in nearby garages, as the Tribune Tower does not offer on-site parking. Garages such as 401 N Michigan offer parking, with rates starting around $12 for 2 hours. Metered street parking is also available for about $9.50 for 2 hours.

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Discover more about Tribune Tower

Located at 435 North Michigan Avenue, the Tribune Tower is a 463-foot-tall, 36-story neo-Gothic skyscraper. Completed in 1925, it was built to house the Chicago Tribune newspaper. The tower resulted from an international design competition held in 1922 to mark the newspaper's 75th anniversary. The winning design, by New York architects John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood, was selected from over 260 entries from 23 countries. The building's architecture showcases a late example of the neo-Gothic style, drawing inspiration from Medieval European towers like the Rouen Cathedral in France. The exterior is clad in Indiana limestone and adorned with ornate buttresses, especially striking when illuminated at night. Embedded within the tower's walls are fragments of famous structures from around the world, including the Great Wall of China, the Parthenon, and Westminster Abbey. These stones were collected by Tribune correspondents. Inside, the Tribune Tower features a Hall of Inscriptions with quotations from prominent figures like Benjamin Franklin, Voltaire, and Thomas Jefferson, emphasizing the importance of a free press. Carved images of Robin Hood and a howling dog, visual puns on the architects' names, can be found near the main entrance. While the Chicago Tribune moved out in 2018, the Tribune Tower remains a significant landmark and a prime example of Chicago's architectural legacy. It has been converted into luxury residences.

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