If you’ve ever walked down State Street on a Saturday afternoon, you know the vibe. It’s loud. It’s crowded. There’s a specific kind of energy that only exists in the Chicago Loop, where the shadows of the "L" tracks hit the pavement just right. Right there, at the corner of State and Washington, sits 111 State Street Chicago. You might know it better as the massive Macy’s building, but locals of a certain age—and anyone who cares about architectural history—still think of it as the legendary Marshall Field and Company Building. It’s a landmark. Not just because a plaque says so, but because it’s basically the soul of Chicago retail.
It’s huge. Honestly, the scale of the place is hard to wrap your head around until you’re standing in the middle of the first floor looking up at the ceiling. We're talking about a structure that takes up an entire city block. It’s bounded by State, Randolph, Wabash, and Washington.
People come for the shopping, sure. But they also come for the clocks. Those big, green, ornate Great Clocks on the corners of State Street are the ultimate "meet me here" spot. If you’re meeting a friend downtown and you don’t want to get lost, you meet under the clock. It’s been that way for over a hundred years.
The Marshall Field Legacy at 111 State Street Chicago
You can't talk about this address without talking about Marshall Field. He wasn't just a businessman; he was the guy who basically invented the idea that "the customer is always right." Before him, shopping was a chore. He turned it into an event.
The building we see today wasn't built all at once. It’s a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster of architecture, but a very beautiful one. The main parts were designed by Daniel Burnham’s firm. Yeah, that Daniel Burnham—the guy who told Chicago to "make no little plans." He definitely followed his own advice here. The construction happened in stages between 1892 and 1914.
Walking through the different sections today, you can actually feel the shifts in history. Some areas feel like a modern department store with bright LED lights and sleek racks. Then you turn a corner, and suddenly you’re under a vaulted ceiling that looks like it belongs in a European cathedral.
That Tiffany Ceiling is Ridiculous
Okay, let's talk about the Tiffany Favrile glass mosaic ceiling. It’s located in the South State Street building. It’s not just "nice." It’s the largest unbroken Tiffany glass mosaic in the entire world. It contains over 1.6 million pieces of iridescent glass.
When the sun hits it right? It’s breathtaking.
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Most people just power through the store looking for a pair of jeans or a kitchen mixer, and they completely miss it. You have to look up. It’s this massive, shimmering expanse of blues and golds. Louis Comfort Tiffany himself oversaw the installation. It’s one of those things that reminds you that back in the day, developers actually cared about making commercial spaces beautiful, not just functional.
What’s Actually Inside 111 State Street Chicago Right Now?
So, what do you do there besides stare at the ceiling? It’s a Macy’s now, obviously. Macy’s bought the Marshall Field’s brand back in 2005, which, if you remember, caused a literal protest in the streets of Chicago. People were furious. They wore "Forever Marshall Field's" buttons and boycotted the store. Even today, you'll find Chicagoans who refuse to call it Macy's. To them, it will always be Field's.
Despite the name change, a lot of the traditions stuck around.
- The Walnut Room: This is the big one. It’s on the 7th floor. It was the first department store restaurant in the United States. During the holidays, there’s a massive tree—the Great Tree—that stretches up toward the ceiling. If you want to eat there in December, you basically have to book your reservation months in advance or prepare to wait in a line that wraps around the floor. The chicken pot pie is the thing to order. It’s the original recipe. Is it the best pot pie in the world? Maybe not, but it tastes like nostalgia.
- The Seven on State Food Hall: If the Walnut Room is too fancy or too crowded, the 7th floor also has a more casual food court area. It’s actually pretty decent for a quick Loop lunch.
- The Beauty Level: The first floor is a sensory overload of perfume and high-end makeup. It’s classic department store vibes.
- Furniture and Home Goods: These are tucked away on the upper floors. These floors are usually much quieter. If you want to see the architecture without the crowds, head to the furniture department.
The basement is where you’ll find the "Wine Shop" and some of the more affordable brands. It feels a bit more like a standard mall down there, losing some of the historic grandeur, but it’s great for deals.
The Holiday Windows and the Great Tree
If you're in Chicago between November and January, 111 State Street Chicago is the center of the universe. The holiday windows are a massive production. Every year they have a different theme, usually something whimsical with moving parts and elaborate storytelling.
Inside, the Great Tree in the Walnut Room is usually about 45 feet tall. It hangs from the ceiling because the floor can't actually support the weight of a tree that size plus all the decorations. It’s a whole engineering feat.
Why This Building Matters for Chicago Business
Beyond the shopping, this address is a cornerstone of the Chicago economy. It’s a massive taxpayer. It’s a huge employer. But more than that, it’s an anchor for State Street.
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In the 80s and 90s, State Street struggled. People were heading to the suburbs or over to the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue. State Street felt a little gritty. But 111 State Street stayed put. It acted as the gravity that kept the street alive. Today, with the resurgence of the Loop as a residential neighborhood and the influx of students from schools like DePaul and Columbia College, the building is busier than ever.
It’s also a National Historic Landmark. That’s a big deal. It means they can’t just tear it down or turn it into a sterile office building without a massive fight and a lot of legal red tape. The integrity of the exterior—those granite walls and the iconic clocks—is protected.
The Weird Stuff You Might Not Know
There are rumors of ghosts. Of course there are. Any building this old has them. Some employees have claimed to see "The Lady in White" wandering the upper floors after hours. Whether you believe in that or not, the building definitely feels different at night.
Then there’s the tunnel system. Chicago has a whole network of old freight tunnels under the Loop. Marshall Field’s used them extensively to move merchandise without clogging up the streets. Most of those are sealed off now, but the history is still down there under the basement floor.
Navigating 111 State Street Chicago Like a Local
If you're planning a visit, don't just walk in the front door and walk out.
- Enter from Washington: The State Street entrances are always the most crowded. The side entrances on Washington or Randolph are usually a bit more chill.
- Use the Elevators: The escalators are fine, but the old elevator banks are beautiful. Plus, they’re faster if you’re trying to get to the 7th floor for the Walnut Room.
- Check out the Museum: There’s a small museum/exhibit area on the 7th floor that details the history of the building. It’s free. It’s worth 10 minutes of your time to see the old photos of what the store looked like in 1900.
- Bathroom Break: Honestly, the restrooms on the upper floors are some of the cleanest and most accessible in the Loop. If you’re touring downtown and need a pit stop, this is your spot.
The Future of the Address
Retail is changing. We all know that. Amazon exists. People buy shoes on their phones while sitting in bed. So, how does a massive, old-school department store survive?
Macy’s has been downsizing their footprint in the building. They’ve sold off some of the upper floors to be converted into modern office spaces. This is actually a smart move. It keeps the building occupied and generates revenue while keeping the lower floors for retail. You get this interesting mix of tech workers in the top half and shoppers in the bottom half. It’s a weird synergy, but it works.
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Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you're headed to 111 State Street Chicago, here is how to make the most of it without getting overwhelmed.
Morning is better. If you want to photograph the Tiffany ceiling or the Great Clocks without a thousand people in your shot, get there right when they open. Usually, that's 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM depending on the day.
Don't skip the 7th floor. Even if you don't eat at the Walnut Room, go up there. The architecture changes, the ceiling gets higher, and you can really feel the history.
Watch the "L". If you want a great view of the building's exterior, take the Brown Line or Green Line train through the Loop. As the train curves around the corners, you get a fantastic elevated perspective of the granite facade that you just can't get from the sidewalk.
Check the events calendar. Macy’s often hosts flower shows, fashion events, and cooking demos. These are usually in the basement or on the 7th floor.
Look for the "Frango" mints. You can't leave without them. They were originally made in the building's own candy kitchen. While they are mass-produced now, they are still the quintessential Chicago souvenir. The green box is iconic.
111 State Street Chicago isn't just a store. It’s a survivor. It’s outlasted economic crashes, a change in ownership that broke the city's heart, and the rise of the internet. It stands there as a reminder that Chicago was built on big dreams and even bigger architecture.
Whether you’re there for a new suit, a piece of history, or just a really good chicken pot pie, the building delivers. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re part of the city’s timeline. Next time you're in the Loop, don't just walk past it. Go inside. Look up.