Walk down Michigan Avenue and look up. You can’t miss it. That massive, dark, tapering obelisk with the white X-braces isn't just a building; it’s a mood. Officially, it’s now 875 North Michigan Avenue, but honestly? Nobody in Chicago calls it that. It’s the John Hancock Building. Always has been. Always will be. It’s the gritty, industrial sibling to the more corporate-looking Willis Tower (formerly Sears), and it holds a special place in the city's architectural soul.
People love this skyscraper because it feels honest. It doesn't hide how it stays standing. Those huge steel crosses on the exterior are there for a reason, and they tell a story of engineering genius that basically saved the project from being a total disaster in the 1960s.
The Engineering Miracle of the X-Braces
When Fazlur Rahman Khan—a name every architecture nerd should know—and the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) started dreaming this up, they hit a wall. A big one. The original plan was for two smaller towers, but the land was too cramped. They pivoted to one giant, 100-story monolith. But how do you keep a 1,128-foot building from swaying like a blade of grass in the brutal Chicago wind?
They used a "trussed tube" system. It was revolutionary.
Instead of hiding the support beams inside the walls, they put the skeleton on the outside. Those iconic X-braces allow the building to act as a rigid tube. It’s incredibly efficient. It used way less steel than a traditional skyscraper of that era would have required. If you’ve ever been inside one of the apartments or offices, you’ve probably seen the massive steel beams cutting right through the windows. It’s a bit weird at first, but it’s the price you pay for living in a masterpiece.
Most people don't realize that the building actually tapers as it goes up. It gets skinnier. Why? Because the bottom floors needed more space for offices and parking, while the top floors were designed for apartments. It’s a "mixed-use" pioneer. You can literally live, work, grocery shop, and go for a swim without ever stepping foot on the sidewalk.
Why 875 North Michigan Avenue is Better Than the Willis Tower
Okay, let's settle the debate. Tourists flock to the Willis Tower for the Skydeck and those glass boxes. But locals? They usually point you toward the John Hancock Building.
Here is why.
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The location is unbeatable. While the Willis Tower is buried in the Financial District (which gets a bit ghostly on weekends), the Hancock sits right on the Magnificent Mile. You’re steps from the lake. When you’re at the top, looking out from 360 CHICAGO (the observation deck on the 94th floor), the view of Lake Michigan is staggering. It feels like you’re looking out over an ocean.
Then there’s "TILT." It’s terrifying.
Basically, you stand against a window frame, hold onto some bars, and the entire glass pane tips you forward at a 30-degree angle over Michigan Avenue. It’s 1,000 feet of "nope" for a lot of people, but it’s a rush you can’t get anywhere else.
And don't get me started on the elevators. They are some of the fastest in North America. You’ll hit the 94th floor in about 40 seconds. Your ears will pop. It’s a rite of passage.
The "Cloud Bar" and the 95th Floor Drama
For decades, the move was to go to the Signature Room on the 95th floor. You’d pay $20 for a cocktail just to get the "free" view. It was a Chicago institution. Proposals, anniversaries, prom nights—they all happened there.
But then, it just... closed.
In late 2023, the Signature Room shut its doors abruptly, citing economic challenges and lease issues. It was a huge blow to the city's dining scene. However, the building hasn't lost its luster. 360 CHICAGO now operates the Cloud Bar, which has a moody, European-bar vibe with local beers and cocktails. It’s a different experience, maybe a bit more modern, but the view remains the undisputed star of the show.
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The bathroom view is still a thing, too.
Specifically, the women’s restroom on the 95th floor used to be famous for having the best view in the city. People would sneak in just to see it. It sounds ridiculous until you’re standing there looking at the entire North Side skyline while washing your hands.
Living in the Sky: What It's Actually Like
Imagine doing your laundry at 1,000 feet. The John Hancock Building houses some of the highest residential apartments in the world. Living there is a trip.
One resident once told me that the wind is the biggest factor. On a windy day, you can hear the building "creak." It’s designed to flex, which is safe, but hearing a skyscraper groan like an old wooden ship can be a little unsettling for the uninitiated.
Then there are the clouds.
Sometimes, you’ll wake up and look out your window, and you won’t see the city. You’ll just see white. You are literally living above the weather. When it snows, you can watch the flakes fall up due to the updrafts created by the building’s shape.
The building even has its own grocery store on the 44th floor (well, a small market) and a private sky lobby. It’s a vertical city. But it’s not all glamour. Moving furniture into a 100-story building is a logistical nightmare. Imagine trying to get a velvet sectional into an elevator that's shared by thousands of tourists and office workers.
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The Name Change Nobody Wanted
In 2018, the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company—the namesake—decided they didn't want to pay for the naming rights anymore. The owners stripped the name off.
Technically, it’s just 875 North Michigan Avenue.
But Chicagoans are notoriously stubborn about names. We still call it the Hancock. Just like we still call the Willis Tower "Sears" and the Marshall Field’s building (now Macy’s) "Field’s." Names here aren't just branding; they’re landmarks of memory. Using the street address feels cold and clinical. "Hancock" feels like home.
Technical Marvels and Facts
- Height: 1,128 feet (344 meters) to the roof. With the antennas? It hits 1,500 feet.
- The Lights: The "Crown Lights" at the top change colors for holidays and sports wins. If the Bulls win, it's red. If it's St. Patrick's Day, it's green.
- The Foundation: It sits on caissons that go down to bedrock, 191 feet deep.
- The Pool: There is a swimming pool on the 44th floor. It’s the highest indoor pool in America. Swimming laps while looking out at the skyline is a total "peak Chicago" experience.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head over there, don’t just walk in and buy a ticket at the door. You’ll wait in a line that wraps around the block.
- Book 360 CHICAGO tickets online. Do it early. Sunset is the "golden hour" for a reason, but it’s also the busiest. If you want a quiet experience, go right when they open at 9:00 AM.
- Check the weather. If the "L" is foggy, the view is gone. Look at the top of the building from the street. If you can’t see the antennas, don't waste your money on a ticket that day. You’ll just be staring at a white wall of fog.
- Visit the 44th Floor. Most people don't realize the sky lobby is accessible. It gives you a sense of the scale of the residential side without needing a ticket to the observation deck.
- Photography. If you’re taking photos through the glass at night, lean your lens directly against the window or use a "Lenskirt." The interior reflections will ruin your shots otherwise.
- Eat Nearby. Skip the overpriced tourist traps directly adjacent. Walk a few blocks west into the Gold Coast for spots like 3rd Coast Cafe or Lou Malnati’s for actual deep-dish pizza.
The John Hancock Building represents an era of Chicago history where we weren't afraid to show the work. It’s bold, it’s dark, and it’s unapologetically structural. Whether you’re there for the terrifying "TILT" experience or just to admire the X-braces from the sidewalk, it remains the most iconic silhouette in the midwestern sky.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Before you head to the tower, download the "360 CHICAGO" app. It includes a hidden audio tour narrated by local historians that explains the specific landmarks you're looking at from the 94th floor. Also, if you're a photography enthusiast, plan your visit for "Blue Hour"—about 20 minutes after sunset—to capture the city lights against a deep blue sky without the harsh glare of the midday sun.