"Architecture-Rookery" Top 5 Page for this destination Chicago Things to Do Tip by Dabs

Built between 1885-1888, the Rookery is a Burnham & Root designed building. They had their offices in this building for awhile as did Frank Lloyd Wright who remodeled the lobby in 1905. It's the oldest high rise building in Chicago that's still standing.

The name "Rookery" comes from the previous building on this site, a temporary city hall and water tank that stood on the site after the Chicago Fire of 1871, which was a favorite roosting spot of pigeons.

Tthe lobby in the attached photo is open to visitors, there is a security guard posted but they do allow you to go past and view the lobby if you ask and there is an information sheet right near the guard booth. The Chicago Architecture Foundation also has tours twice a month.

On the exterior, be sure to look at the corners of the building where the street names are embedded in the exterior, one of my favorite design elements of the exterior.

Address: 209 S. LaSalle Street
Directions: Downtown business district, south loop
Website: http://www.cityofchicago.org/Landmarks/R/RookeryBuilding.html