Characteristics of the John Hancock Building
The John Hancock Center stands at 1,128 feet and comprises 100 stories. The floor area is a total of 2,799,973 square feet, and there are 50 operating elevators. When originally completed, the skyscraper was the tallest building in Chicago and the second tallest in the country, falling behind the Empire State Building in New York City. Architecturally speaking, the John Hancock Center is a product of the structural expressionist style, a design method that fuses high technology with architecture that became popular in the 1970s. The skyscraper is notable for exhibiting a structural X-bracing along each side, an engineering practice allowing for more interior space.
The John Hancock Center
 |
The building has approximately 700 condominiums and various amenities, such as a conference and fitness center. The businesses presently include Chase Bank, Hanig's Footwear, and The North Face. The John Hancock Center's dining options include restaurants such as The Signature Room, The Cheesecake Factory, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and Benihana. There are also conveniences, like a US Post Office, Fed Ex and UPS drop boxes, dry cleaners, and onsite parking.
The 360 Observation Deck
Occupying a space on the 94th floor of the skyscraper is the 360 Chicago Observation Deck, an observatory area that allows optimal views of the city and the surrounding locale. In 2014, an attraction known as TILT was installed, allowing visitors to experience the views through windows stretching from floor to ceiling as they gradually tilt out of the building itself. The observation deck also houses a full bar entitled CloudBar. Finally, various events are held periodically, including weekly yoga classes, art and photography exhibitions, and the option for private events such as weddings. Tickets are required to visit the observation deck. Immediately above the 360 Chicago Observation Deck is the Signature Room, a restaurant on the 95th floor.
Name Change to 875 North Michigan Avenue
John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, the company for which the skyscraper is named, left the building in 2018. Consequently, John Hancock Insurance asked that its name be removed from all listings and signage associated with the John Hancock Center. In reaction, the building owners officially designated the John Hancock Center as 875 North Michigan Avenue, the skyscraper's Chicago street address.
Construction and History of the John Hancock Tower
Preliminary construction of the John Hancock Center began in 1964 after being proposed by developer Jerry Wolman and securing financial backing from the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company. The skyscraper was designed by the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill architecture firm, with Bruce Graham heading as lead architect and Fazlur Khan serving as the structural and civil engineer. However, in 1967 construction was temporarily halted due to an engineering defect. In 1970, the construction of the John Hancock Center was completed. Decades later, in 1995, inside portions of the building were renovated with new stone materials.
Since its completion, the John Hancock Center has received prestigious awards for its architectural design. In 1999, the Twenty-Five Year Award was given to the building by the American Institute of Architects, in addition to placing it on the Illinois 200 Great Places list. Culturally, the John Hancock Center has been featured as a highlight of the Chicago skyline and depicted in film and television.
Lesson Summary
The John Hancock Center is a skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois composed of condominiums, shops, and businesses. It is located in The Magnificent Mile commercial district of Chicago on Michigan Avenue. The John Hancock Center is 1,128 feet tall, has 100 floors, 2,799,973 square feet, and has 50 elevators. After being built, the John Hancock Center was the tallest building in Chicago and the second tallest in the United States, designed in a structural expressionist style and supported with X-bracing engineering.
The 360 Chicago Observation Deck is on the top floor, which allows for superb city views and other amenities. In 2018, the John Hancock Center changed its name to 875 North Michigan Avenue, its official street address, due to the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, its original namesake, leaving. Construction on the building started in 1964, with funding primarily from the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, and was completed in 1970. The building was designed by the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill architecture firm and built in the structural expressionist style, a novel design at the time which incorporated high technology into architecture. The chief architect was Bruce Graham, and Fazlur Khan was the structural and civil engineer.
