311 South Wacker Drive is a 65‑story office tower in Chicago, Illinois. Rising to 293 meters (961 feet), it was finished in 1990 and occupies a prominent parcel along the west bank of the Chicago River near the Loop. The building is predominantly used for commercial office space and is a visible element of the downtown skyline.
Design and characteristics
The tower is clad largely in glass with a steel-framed structure and a distinctive crown that contributes to its skyline profile. Internally it offers large floor plates typical of late 20th‑century office design, with a multi‑level lobby and ground‑floor retail or public space. Mechanical systems and elevators are arranged to serve 65 occupiable floors.
History and development
Conceived during the late 1980s construction boom in Chicago, the building was completed in 1990. Its development reflected a wave of high‑rise office construction that reshaped the riverfront and reinforced the concentration of corporate office space in the central business district. Since opening, the tower has housed a variety of professional and corporate tenants.
Uses and public presence
311 South Wacker Drive functions primarily as leased office space, with street‑level amenities that serve tenants and visitors. Although it is not generally open as a tourist destination, the building is easily viewed from the Chicago Riverwalk and nearby public thoroughfares and frequently appears in photographic and illustrative depictions of the city.
Notable facts and distinctions
- Height: 293 m (961 ft).
- Floors: 65 occupied stories.
- Completion: 1990.
- Location: riverfront site near the Loop in downtown Chicago.
While not the tallest structure in Chicago, 311 South Wacker Drive is regarded as one of the taller downtown towers from its era and contributes to the architectural variety of the city's high‑rise collection. For more technical details or historical sources consult municipal records or architectural references linked through local resources.