Chicago City Model Experience

The Exhibition

Since its debut in 2009, the Chicago Model has been an icon, beloved by tourists and locals alike. The Model was enhanced and expanded in 2018 to include more than 4,000 buildings. A film and light show illuminate the model with the amazing story of Chicago’s early growth, its rebirth after the Great Chicago Fire and its ever-changing skyline, which includes some of the world’s first skyscrapers and iconic modern towers made of steel and glass.

Interactive touch screens around the Model allow visitors to orient themselves to Chicago, search for buildings by architect or architectural style and see data projected on the Model.

A gift of DSM Additive Manufacturing

Photo by James Steinkamp
Photo by Anna Munzesheimer
Photo by Michael Courier
Photo by Anthony Tahlier

Inside a gallery space with floor to ceiling windows with models of skyscrapers and people milling around.

Visit the CAC

Located at 111 E. Wacker Drive in Chicago and opened to the public in 2018, the Center’s riverfront location is in the heart of the city. Nearly 10,000 square feet of exhibition space features super-sized models and views of iconic skyscrapers. Learn more about the Chicago Architecture Center and its mission to inspire people to discover why design matters.

Visit the Center