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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 significance on the Magnificent Mile.

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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

  • Explore the exterior of the building to find the stones embedded from famous structures around the world.
  • Visit the lobby to see the Hall of Inscriptions, featuring quotes about the importance of a free press.
  • Take a walk along the Magnificent Mile to admire the Tribune Tower and other architectural landmarks.
  • Check out the nearby Wrigley Building and Michigan Avenue Bridge for more iconic Chicago sights.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Michigan Avenue Bridge, walk north along Michigan Avenue for a few blocks. The Tribune Tower is located on the east side of the street, across from the Wrigley Building. This is a straightforward and scenic walk along the Magnificent Mile.

  • Public Transport

    Several bus lines stop near the Tribune Tower, including routes 146, 147, 148, and 157. Check the CTA website or app for real-time schedules and route information. The closest 'L' station is Grand-Red on the Red Line, a few blocks west of the tower. From there, walk east on Grand Avenue to Michigan Avenue, then turn right and walk south to the tower.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available throughout downtown Chicago. Simply provide the destination address (435 N Michigan Ave) to the driver. A short taxi ride from Union Station to the Tribune Tower will typically cost around $7-$9, plus any potential surge pricing.

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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 prominent feature of the Chicago skyline since its completion in 1925. Built to house the Chicago Tribune newspaper, the tower is the result of an international design competition held in 1922 to mark the newspaper's 75th anniversary. The winning design by John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood, selected from over 260 entries from 23 countries, became a historic event in 20th-century architecture. The tower's architecture showcases a late example of the neo-Gothic style, drawing inspiration from Medieval European towers, particularly the Tour de beurre of the Rouen Cathedral in France. The exterior is clad in Indiana limestone and adorned with ornate buttresses, sculptures, and gargoyles crafted by Rene Paul Chambellan. A unique feature of the Tribune Tower is the collection of stones from famous landmarks around the world embedded in its walls, including fragments from the Great Wall of China, the Parthenon, and Westminster Abbey. Inside, the building features a Hall of Inscriptions with quotations from historical figures praising freedom of the press. While the Tribune Tower formerly housed the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, it has since transitioned to luxury residences. Visitors can still appreciate the building's architecture from the outside and explore its lobby. The Tribune Tower is a contributing property to the Michigan–Wacker Historic District and remains a significant architectural landmark in downtown Chicago.

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