Chicago’s “Loop” is the city’s official downtown area. The second largest downtown business district in the United States, the Loop’s boundaries are the Chicago River on the west, Michigan Avenue on the east, Wacker Drive on the north and Congress Parkway on the south. The Loop is known for its famous skyscrapers and historic buildings; it has been the site of architectural creativity and experimentation for years.
Some of the most important and best-known buildings in the Loop are frequented by hundreds or even thousands of people each day.
The Sears Tower held the title of “World’s Tallest Building” for many years; even today, there is some debate over this title. The Sears Tower still holds the title for height of the highest occupied floor and height to the top of the roof. The building is 110 stories tall and rises 1,454 feet above the ground.
Chicago’s present City Hall was dedicated in 1911; before this, the City Hall had moved location more than once due to the Chicago Fire. The main entrance of City Hall is on LaSalle Street and is guarded by four relief panels sculpted in granite, depicting four features of municipal government: city playgrounds, public schools, the park system and the water supply system.
