Walk down West Madison Street and you can’t miss it. That jagged, sawtooth exterior of Three First National Plaza Chicago hits differently than the glass boxes surrounding it. It’s got this tinted, almost moody carnelian granite skin that screams 1980s prestige, yet it doesn’t feel dated. Honestly, it’s one of those buildings that manages to look solid. Permanent. In a city like Chicago, where skyscrapers go up and come down or get renamed every five minutes, this 57-story giant has held its ground since 1981.
People often confuse it with the "Big Chase" building across the street. Don't. While the nearby Chase Tower (formerly First National Bank Building) has that iconic sloping curve, Three First National Plaza is its sophisticated, geometric sibling. It was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)—the same architects who gave us the Willis Tower and Burj Khalifa—and you can see that DNA in the crisp lines. It’s a massive 1.4 million square feet of prime real estate that basically defines what it means to be a "Class A" office space in the Central Business District.
The Architecture of the Sawtooth
Why the jagged edges? It wasn't just to look cool.
The "sawtooth" design was a brilliant hack for the 1980s corporate world. By creating those recessed corners, the architects at SOM managed to maximize the number of "corner offices" on every single floor. Back then, your status in the firm was measured by how many windows you had. Today, it just means everyone gets a killer view of the lake or the Chicago River.
The building sits on a site that was once part of the original 19th-century street grid, and it’s actually connected to the city's famous Pedway system. That’s a lifesaver. If you’ve ever tried to walk through the Loop in mid-January when the wind is whipping off Lake Michigan at 40 miles per hour, you know that being able to grab a coffee and get to your train without ever stepping outside is the ultimate luxury.
The lobby is another story entirely. It’s got this nine-story glass atrium that lets in a ton of light, which is pretty rare for buildings of that era. Inside, there’s a massive Henry Moore sculpture titled Large Upright Form. It’s bronze, it’s imposing, and it perfectly matches the "big business" energy of the space. Most people just walk past it on their way to the elevators, but it’s worth a look. Moore is a legend in the art world, and having a piece that size in a private lobby is a major flex.
Why Law Firms Love Three First National Plaza Chicago
If you look at the tenant roster, it reads like a "Who’s Who" of the legal world. K&L Gates is there. So is Cozen O'Connor. Why do law firms flock to this specific spot?
Location is everything. You're steps away from the Daley Center and the federal courthouses. If you’re a litigator, every minute counts. Being able to run from your desk to a hearing in five minutes is a competitive advantage. But it’s also about the "vibe." Three First National Plaza Chicago feels serious. It’s a building for people who do important work.
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The floor plates are also surprisingly flexible. Even though the building is over 40 years old, the core-to-window dimensions are deep. This allows for those massive, sprawling law libraries or—more commonly these days—open-concept collaborative zones. It’s been renovated enough times to keep the tech fast, but it kept the granite and the prestige that newer, "glassier" buildings sometimes lack.
Recent Upgrades and the "Flight to Quality"
Post-2020, the office market in Chicago got weird. A lot of companies started downsizing. But Three First National Plaza Chicago stayed surprisingly resilient because of the "flight to quality." Basically, if you’re going to force employees to come into the office, the office better be nice.
Hines, the firm that manages the building, hasn't been lazy. They’ve poured money into the fitness center and the tenant lounges. The "Plaza Club" on the 57th floor is arguably one of the best spots in the city for a sunset cocktail or a high-stakes closing dinner. It’s that mix of "old school Loop" and "new school amenities" that keeps the occupancy rates higher than the neighborhood average.
Navigating the Loop’s Competitive Landscape
How does it stack up against the newcomers like Salesforce Tower or 110 North Wacker?
It’s a different beast. Those new buildings are sleek and sustainable, but they often lack the central "gravity" that Three First National Plaza Chicago has. You are literally in the heart of the city here. You’re at the corner of Madison and Franklin. You have the L tracks nearby, the Pedway underneath, and some of the best lunch spots in the city within a three-block radius.
- The Pedway Access: Direct links to the CTA and Metra.
- The Atrium: A massive 9-story glass-enclosed winter garden.
- The Sculpture: Henry Moore’s Large Upright Form as a focal point.
- Security: State-of-the-art 24/7 monitoring and high-speed elevator banks.
Sustainability is a factor too. While it’s an older building, it’s been retrofitted for LEED certification. That’s huge for corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. You get the aesthetic of a classic skyscraper with the energy efficiency of something much younger. It’s sort of like a classic car with a Tesla engine hidden under the hood.
The Future of Three First National Plaza Chicago
Look, the office market is changing. Some buildings in the Loop are being converted into apartments or "med-tail" spaces. But Three First National Plaza is too iconic—and too well-performing—to go that route anytime soon. It remains a cornerstone of the financial district.
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The building’s endurance is a testament to the "Chicago School" of architecture. It’s functional. It’s sturdy. It doesn't try too hard to be trendy, which ironically makes it timeless. Whether you're a tourist looking at the skyline or a professional looking for a new headquarters, this building represents the "grit and gold" of Chicago business culture.
If you’re planning a visit or looking at lease options, here are the real-world steps you should take:
Check the Pedway first. If you’re coming in via the Blue or Red Line, learn the tunnels. You can enter Three First National Plaza without ever dealing with the rain. It takes a few tries to learn the map, but it’s a total game-changer for your morning commute.
Visit the Atrium. Even if you don’t work there, the lobby is generally accessible to the public during business hours. Go see the Henry Moore sculpture. It’s a quiet, monumental space that offers a rare moment of peace in the middle of the chaotic Loop.
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Watch the lease trends. For business owners, keep an eye on the sublease market here. Because some of the larger firms are hybridizing their workforce, you can often find "plug-and-play" spaces in this building that were built out with millions of dollars in high-end finishes but are now available for a fraction of the cost.
Three First National Plaza Chicago isn't just another skyscraper; it's a piece of the city's soul that continues to adapt and thrive in an ever-shifting economic climate.