Richard J. Daley Center, Chicago

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Richard J. Daley Center, Chicago

Richard J. Daley Center, Chicago

Check out the Richard J. Daley Center—or as it’s sometimes called, Rust with Style. Completed in 1965, it’s a proud child of Mid-Century Modernism, wrapped in the sleek minimalism of the International Style. But forget flashy colors—this tower went with Cor-Ten steel, which is basically metal that rusts on purpose. Yes, that warm, weathered look is totally intentional. The rust forms a protective coat, so no paint, no fuss—just a whole lot of oxidized charm. Pair that with bronze-tinted windows and you’ve got yourself a building that says, “I’m tough, but I glow.”

Now, here’s where it gets clever: the Daley Center stands tall at 648 feet, but only has 31 floors. That’s because the ceilings are sky-high, with some courtrooms so tall you’d half expect them to echo. And the support system is pure engineering poetry. Just 16 steel columns hold this beast up—12 along the edges and four snug around the elevators. The rest of the space is wide open, thanks to some beefy Warren trusses doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.

Architect Jacques Brownson wasn’t merely thinking big—he was thinking up. Those columns actually get slimmer the higher they go, which isn’t just a flex in aesthetics—it reflects the decreasing weight they carry. Indeed, it’s tall-standing architecture that’s making a point while doing it.

So, being downtown and observing that rust-hued giant with the Picasso sculpture out front, remember—it’s not decaying. It’s aging gracefully, like a brutalist sommelier in a steel suit...

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chicago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ϳԹ: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Richard J. Daley Center on Map

Sight Name: Richard J. Daley Center
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Chicago, Illinois

Create Your Own Walk in Chicago

Create Your Own Walk in Chicago

Creating your own self-guided walk in Chicago is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chicago Old Town Walking Tour

Chicago Old Town Walking Tour

Settled in 1850 by German immigrants, Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood is a popular destination for locals and visitors who cater to the entertainment venues, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and boutiques – all of which have turned an area once referred to as the “Cabbage Patch” into an attraction that rivals Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the Magnificent Mile.

Start your Old Town walking...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
The Magnificent Mile Walking Tour

The Magnificent Mile Walking Tour

The stretch of Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Lake Shore Drive, otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile, is regarded as one of the world’s great avenues – or Chicago’s version of Fifth Avenue. Take this self-guided walk to explore its whole stretch and surrounding area, featuring a wide selection of amazing stores/malls, world-known museums, restaurants and spectacular...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Chicago Chinatown Walking Tour

Chicago Chinatown Walking Tour

Tucked away just south of the Loop, the Chinatown of Chicago was established in 1912 and is considered one of the best examples of American Chinatown. While it may be one of Chicago’s smallest neighborhoods geographically, it is big on character, colors, sights, sounds, and flavors. Here, you’ll find a wide range of unique boutiques, specialty shops, religious sights, authentic Chinese...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour

Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour

The city of Chicago is renowned for its outdoor green spaces. One such “forever free and open” space, is called Grant Park and was established in 1844. In fact, upon foundation, it was called Lake Park, but was renamed in 1901 after the American Civil War General and United States President, Ulysses S. Grant.

Popularly referred to as “Chicago's front lawn,” this lakefront park is...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
University of Chicago Walking Tour

University of Chicago Walking Tour

Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago is among the world’s most prestigious educational institutions. As of 2020, the University’s students, faculty and staff have included 100 Nobel laureates, giving it the fourth-most affiliated Nobel laureates of any university.

Set in the heart of Chicago’s famous eclectic neighborhood, Hyde Park, the campus is worth a visit as it offers a...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Loop District Architecture Walking Tour

Loop District Architecture Walking Tour

The Chicago Loop District—essentially the city’s historic downtown—has long been a stage for architectural innovation and an open-air museum of American architecture.

The construction boom started after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed much of the central business district, gave architects a blank canvas to rebuild the city from the ground up. What followed was a surge of...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles

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