You’ve seen it from the Eisenhower. That sharp, geometric silhouette cutting into the Chicago skyline near the Illinois Medical District. Most folks call it the "Triangle Building," but if you're looking for it on a map, you’ll find it listed as the Triangle Office Building at Rush.
Honestly, it’s one of those structures people drive past every single day without actually knowing what happens inside. It isn't just an architectural quirk. It’s a 214,702-square-foot engine for one of the top-ranked hospital systems in the country.
Why the Triangle Office Building at Rush is more than a weird shape
Located at 1700 W. Van Buren St., this isn't some trendy tech startup hub. It’s 100% leased to Rush University Medical Center. Think of it as the brain behind the brawn of the main hospital tower. While the famous "butterfly" or "star-shaped" hospital tower nearby handles the high-stakes surgeries and patient stays, the Triangle Building handles the clinical outpatient services, administrative heavy lifting, and the massive IT infrastructure that keeps the whole campus from crashing.
The building was finished back in 1986. It’s got that classic 80s sharp-edge aesthetic, but it’s aged surprisingly well because of how essential it is to the Medical District's ecosystem.
The layout and what’s actually inside
It’s huge. We're talking a site area of over 212,000 square feet. Because it sits right in the heart of the largest concentration of healthcare facilities in Illinois, every square inch is optimized.
- Clinical Spaces: A huge chunk of the building is dedicated to outpatient care. If you're going to Rush for a checkup or a specialized consultation that doesn't require an overnight stay, there's a good chance you’re headed here.
- The Data Center: This is the part nobody talks about. The Triangle Office Building houses the essential IT and classroom services for Rush University. In 2026, healthcare is basically data management with a stethoscope, so this hub is the nerve center for their digital records and student learning.
- The Wellness Center: Suite 150 is home to the Center for Clinical Wellness. It’s a specific spot designed for the staff and students—basically a "healer, heal thyself" zone to combat the burnout that’s rampant in medicine.
Ownership and the business side of things
Currently, the building is owned by Northwest Healthcare Properties REIT. They’re a heavy hitter in the world of medical real estate. For them, a building like this is a goldmine. Why? Because medical tenants almost never leave. Unlike a random software company that might go remote, a dialysis clinic or a medical classroom needs physical square footage.
The building has 234 on-site parking spaces, which, if you’ve ever tried to park near Rush during peak hours, you know is basically worth its weight in gold.
Navigating the "Rush" of it all
The name is a bit of a double entendre. It’s the "Triangle Office Building at Rush" (referring to the university), but it’s also right in the middle of a perpetual rush. Sitting just meters from the I-290 Eisenhower Expressway, the building is a landmark for the millions of commuters heading into the Loop.
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Traffic here is a beast. If you have an appointment at the Triangle Building, you have to account for the "Blue Line" commuters and the heavy congestion on Ashland Avenue. In fact, roadwork on Ashland between Polk and Van Buren has been a persistent headache for anyone trying to access the facility.
Is it the same as the "Butterfly" building?
No. This is a common mistake.
The "Butterfly" or "Star" building is the Rush University Medical Center Hospital Tower, designed by Perkins+Will and finished around 2012. That’s the LEED-Gold certified masterpiece that looks like a four-petaled flower from above. The Triangle Office Building is the older, more utilitarian sibling located a short walk away. They work in tandem, but they’re distinct entities. One is for acute care; the other is for the "business" and "outpatient" side of health.
Actionable insights for visitors and professionals
If you're heading there, don't just wing it.
1. Use the Blue Line if you can. The CTA stops right nearby. It’s significantly faster than trying to navigate the Van Buren/Ashland intersection during the morning surge.
2. The "Restaurant Row" trick. The building is close to Chicago’s famous Restaurant Row. If you have a long wait between appointments or a break in a seminar, don't eat the vending machine snacks. A ten-minute Uber or a brisk walk puts you near some of the best food in the city.
3. Check your suite number twice. Because the building is triangular, the interior hallways can be a bit disorienting. It’s not a standard grid. Room 150 isn't always where you think it’ll be based on the door you entered.
The Triangle Office Building at Rush isn't just an 80s relic. It’s a specialized piece of infrastructure that bridges the gap between the academic world of Rush University and the clinical world of the Medical Center. It’s the kind of boringly essential building that makes the flashy, award-winning hospital towers possible.
Next time you're stuck in traffic on the 290, look at those sharp angles and remember—there’s a data center in there keeping a world-class hospital alive.
Next Steps for You:
If you're a patient, check the Rush MyChart portal to confirm if your appointment is specifically in the Triangle Office Building or the Professional Building nearby, as they are often confused. For professionals looking at the real estate side, keep an eye on Northwest Healthcare Properties REIT’s annual reports to see how they manage the 2.3-year WALE (Weighted Average Lease Expiry) typical of these specialized medical assets.