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Tribune Tower: A Gothic Icon on Chicago's Magnificent Mile

A landmark neo-Gothic skyscraper in Chicago, the Tribune Tower boasts a design from an international competition and stones from world monuments.

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The Tribune Tower, a neo-Gothic skyscraper completed in 1925, stands as a landmark of Chicago's architectural heritage. Built to house the Chicago Tribune newspaper, its design was the result of an international competition and features stones from famous structures worldwide embedded in its facade. Today, it's a mixed-use building offering luxury residences and retail spaces.

A brief summary to Tribune Tower

Local tips

  • Take a stroll around the building's exterior to discover the various historical stones embedded in its walls.
  • Visit the lobby to see the Hall of Inscriptions, featuring famous quotations about the freedom of the press.
  • Look for the carvings of Robin Hood and a howling dog near the entrance, visual puns on the architects' names.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Michigan Avenue Bridge, head north on Michigan Avenue. The Tribune Tower is located on the east side of the street, just north of the Wrigley Building. Look for the tall, neo-Gothic structure with its distinctive crown.

  • Public Transport

    Several bus routes serve the Tribune Tower area. Check the CTA website or app for real-time schedules and route information. The closest 'L' stations are Grand-Red and Chicago-Red. Exit the station and walk east towards Michigan Avenue. The tower will be on your right. A single ride on CTA bus or rail is $2.25 and $2.50 respectively. You can pay with a Ventra card, contactless credit/debit card, or mobile payment.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in downtown Chicago. Simply provide the destination address, 435 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, and the driver will take you directly to the Tribune Tower. A short taxi ride from nearby locations typically costs $6-$8.

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Discover more about Tribune Tower

The Tribune Tower, located at 435 North Michigan Avenue, is a 463-foot-tall neo-Gothic skyscraper that has been a defining feature of Chicago's skyline since its completion in 1925. The tower was built to serve as the headquarters for the Chicago Tribune newspaper, following an international design competition to create the "most beautiful building in the world". The winning design by John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood, draws inspiration from Medieval architecture, most notably the Butter Tower of the Rouen Cathedral in France. The building's exterior is clad in Indiana limestone and incorporates stones and fragments from historically significant sites around the globe, including the Great Wall of China, Westminster Abbey, and the Parthenon. These stones, collected by Tribune correspondents, add a unique layer of historical depth to the building. The tower also features intricate carvings, including depictions of Robin Hood (a play on the architect's name, Hood) and a howling dog (Howells) near the main entrance. While the Chicago Tribune moved out in 2018, the Tribune Tower remains a significant landmark and an example of neo-Gothic architecture in the United States. In 2023, it received a Driehaus Prize for its architectural preservation and adaptive reuse as luxury residences. Visitors can explore the building's exterior and appreciate its architectural details, including the Hall of Inscriptions in the lobby, which features quotations on the freedom of the press.

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