Rookery Building

  • Interior building lobby with glass ceiling and grand staircase
Explore the interior and exterior of one of Chicago’s most famous and beloved historic buildings.
  • Interior building lobby with glass ceiling and grand staircase

Explore the Rookery by Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root; a Moorish castle on the exterior with a stunning interior atrium redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Duration
1 hour
Site Type
Buildings
Location
Downtown
Architects and Styles
Meet

209 S. LaSalle St. at the grand staircase

Marvel at the exquisite beauty and grandeur of the highly ornamented brick and granite exterior, which some liken to a Moorish castle. Learn more about the method of construction and how the architects employed a combination of designs to maximize light and air in this early office building. We’ll also discuss various renovations and restorations to the building and learn the interesting story of how The Rookery earned its name.

  • view looking down a staircase with black ornate railings

    Detail of the Rookery staircase

  • view looking down a staircase with black ornate railings

    Rookery Atrium. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers.

  • Group of people gathered in building lobby

    Rookery Atrium.

  • Corner of building with ornate lettering of street names

    Rookery Exterior

  • Corner of building with ornate lettering of street names

    Rookery Exterior. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers.

  • Looking up at entrance to building with two flags

    Rookery Exterior. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers.

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Image. of a large red brown building taken at an angleImage. of a large red brown building taken at an angle

MORE ABOUT THIS BUILDING

Discover more about the Rookery in CAC's Buildings of Chicago online library.

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