The Rookery

The Rookery, an architectural icon of Chicago's Loop

In the heart of Chicago's financial district, the Rookery Building is one of the city's architectural icons. Behind its stone façade hides a superb light court, a masterpiece signed by a great architect. The Chicago audio-guided tour stops here to reveal this sometimes-overlooked jewel, a witness to the birth of the skyscraper.

A rookery turned masterpiece

The name Rookery means a nest of crows in English, alluding to the birds that perched there and, it is said, to the politicians who haunted the place. Built at the end of the nineteenth century, the building is a listed monument and ranks among the pioneers of the skyscraper in Chicago. Its famous central court, bathed in light, was redesigned by the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

What to see

The highlight of the visit is the interior light court, a glazed space of rare elegance redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright. The exterior façade, robust and finely wrought, is also worth a look. For architecture enthusiasts, the Rookery is an essential stop, in the heart of the cradle of the modern skyscraper.

Practical information

The Rookery Building lies in the financial district of the Loop, in the centre of Chicago, reachable on foot and by metro. It is a working building: the façade can be freely admired, and the light court can generally be seen during the opening hours of the common areas, sometimes through guided tours. It is best to check the conditions before coming.

What is there to see at the Rookery Building?

Above all its interior light court, redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as its finely wrought façade, in the financial district of Chicago.

What does the name Rookery mean?

It means a nest of crows in English, alluding to the birds that perched there and, according to tradition, to the politicians who frequented the place.