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Design
The John Hancock Center, now known as 875 North Michigan Avenue, the tower was designed by the architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. One of the most famous buildings of the structural expressionist style, the skyscraper's distinctive X-braced exterior shows that the structure's skin is part of its "tubular system". This is one of the engineering techniques which the designers used to achieve a record height; the tubular system is the structure that keeps the building upright during wind and earthquake loads. This X-bracing allows for both higher performance from tall structures and the ability to open up the inside floorplan. The building's tapering form and black anodized aluminum exterior contribute to its sleek and modern aesthetic.
History
Upon Completion on May 6, 1968, it was the second-tallest building in the world after the Empire State Building, and the tallest in Chicago.The building was named for John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, a developer and original tenant of the building.The building's name changed to 875 North Michigan Avenue in 2018 after John Hancock Insurance's naming-rights deal ended in 2013.
Location
875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
