If you’ve spent more than ten minutes walking around the Loop, you've seen it. It’s that massive, sloping gray giant that looks like it’s trying to slide into the sidewalk but somehow stays perfectly upright. Most locals just call it the Chase Tower, but on paper, it's 10 South Dearborn Chicago Illinois.
It’s weirdly iconic.
While the Willis Tower gets the tourists and the Hancock has the views, 10 South Dearborn is the functional heartbeat of the city’s financial district. It isn't just an office building. It’s a 60-story vertical city that redefined how architects thought about space in the late 1960s. Honestly, it’s one of those buildings you either love because of its "jet age" swagger or you find a bit imposing because of that sheer, window-filled curve.
The Architecture of the "Swoop"
When C.F. Murphy Associates and the legendary firm Perkins & Will teamed up to design this thing, they weren't trying to make a boring box. They wanted something that felt aerodynamic. Completed in 1969, the building uses a "truncated pyramid" shape. Or, as your average Chicagoan says, "the one that curves at the bottom."
There’s a practical reason for that curve.
Most people don't realize that the wide base was designed specifically for the massive banking halls of what was then the First National Bank of Chicago. Banks in the 60s needed huge, open floors for tellers and paper processing—before everything went digital and lived on a server in the suburbs. As the building goes up, the floor plates get smaller. It’s efficient. It's smart. It’s also a nightmare for window washers, but it looks incredible during a sunset when the light hits those granite-clad columns.
Standing 850 feet tall, it was actually the tallest building in the world outside of New York when it opened. It held that title for a hot minute until its neighbors started getting even more ambitious. But even now, with the skyline crowded by glass needles, 10 South Dearborn holds its own.
What’s Actually Inside 10 South Dearborn Chicago Illinois?
It’s a fortress of finance. JPMorgan Chase is the anchor tenant, which is why the logo is plastered everywhere, but the building houses a mix of law firms, consultants, and tech-adjacent services.
You’ve got over 2 million square feet of space in there. That is a staggering amount of carpet.
One of the coolest parts isn't even inside the building—it’s the plaza. Exelon Plaza (formerly First National Plaza) is basically the backyard of the Loop. It’s where people go to eat lunch, avoid their bosses for twenty minutes, and stare at the "Four Seasons" mosaic by Marc Chagall.
The Chagall Factor
If you visit 10 South Dearborn and don't look at the Chagall, did you even go? It’s a 70-foot-long rectangular box covered in thousands of pieces of glass and stone from all over the world. It depicts the seasons of Chicago. It’s vibrant, slightly chaotic, and surprisingly moving when you see it in person.
The mosaic was a gift to the city in 1974. It’s undergone a few restorations because, well, Chicago winters are brutal on outdoor art. But standing there, looking at these surrealist figures while office workers rush past with their $18 salads, provides this weird, beautiful contrast that defines the city's vibe.
👉 See also: Dubai Dollar to USD: Why the Rate Never Actually Changes
The Logistics of a Legend
Living or working near 10 South Dearborn Chicago Illinois means you are at the absolute center of the grid.
- The Pedway: You can get into the building through Chicago’s underground Pedway system. This is a life-saver in January. You can walk from the CTA stations all the way into the lobby without feeling a single snowflake.
- Elevation: There are 50 elevators. If you’ve ever worked in a high-rise with slow lifts, you know that’s a luxury.
- The Views: Because of its central location, the north-facing windows give you a straight shot down Dearborn, looking toward the river and the Marina City "corncobs."
Why the Loop is Changing Around It
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the "death of the office." You’ve heard the rumors. People stay home, the Loop is empty, the sky is falling.
But 10 South Dearborn is proving to be pretty resilient.
The building has undergone significant renovations to keep up with the times. We're talking revamped lobby spaces, better fitness centers, and modernized tech infrastructure. While some older buildings in the LaSalle Street corridor are being converted into apartments, 10 South Dearborn is doubling down on being a premier workplace. It’s a "Class A" property, which in real estate speak just means "it’s fancy and expensive."
The ownership has stayed focused on making the building a destination. You see this with the food options nearby and the way the plaza is used for events. It’s not just a place to clock in; it’s a landmark that anchors the entire block.
Misconceptions About the Building
People often confuse it with the old Richard J. Daley Center because they both have that dark, authoritative look. They aren't the same.
Another weird myth is that the building is "sinking" because of the weight of the curve. It isn't. The foundations go deep into the Chicago bedrock. It’s as solid as a rock. The curve is purely an architectural choice, not a structural accident or a sign of geological failure.
Also, despite being the "Chase Tower," Chase doesn't own every square inch. They are the primary tenant and have their name on the door, but the building is managed and owned by institutional investors who see it as a long-term cash cow.
Actionable Tips for Visiting or Working There
If you find yourself heading to 10 South Dearborn Chicago Illinois, keep these things in mind:
Security is tight. Don't expect to just wander up to the 50th floor to take a selfie. It’s a high-security financial hub. You’ll need a badge or a pre-arranged guest pass to get past the turnstiles.
🔗 Read more: 600 Fifth Avenue: Why This Rockefeller Center Staple Still Matters
Check the Plaza Schedule. In the summer, there are often midday concerts or farmers' market stalls in the plaza. It’s one of the best free things to do in the Loop. Grab a coffee, sit by the fountain, and watch the city move.
Use the Blue/Red Lines. The Monroe stops on both the Blue and Red lines are literally steps away. Don’t bother driving. Parking in this part of the city will cost you your firstborn child and at least forty minutes of your life circling the block.
Visit the Chagall at Night. The mosaic is beautifully lit after dark. Most of the crowds have cleared out, and you can actually appreciate the detail of the stones without someone bumping into you with a briefcase.
10 South Dearborn remains a testament to a specific era of Chicago ambition. It was built during a time when the city was reaching for the stars and reinventing what a "bank" looked like. Decades later, it’s still the anchor of the Loop, a sloped sentinel that reminds everyone that Chicago doesn't just build—it builds with attitude.
If you’re planning a trip to the Loop, make this your starting point. Use the intersection of Dearborn and Madison as your "North Star." From there, everything else—the theater district, the art institute, and the riverwalk—is within a ten-minute walk. It’s the literal and metaphorical center of the city's professional soul.
To truly experience the area, start at the Chagall mosaic on the plaza level before heading north toward the river. This walk takes you past some of the finest examples of the Chicago School of architecture, allowing you to see how 10 South Dearborn bridges the gap between the historic masonry buildings of the past and the glass towers of the future.