It’s easy to find exemplary architecture in Chicago, whether you’re admiring the skyline from Lake Michigan or taking a stroll through the streets of a neighborhood. After a large section of the city burnt to the ground in 1871, architects went to work rebuilding Chicago on a grand scale, erecting classic buildings like the Tribune Tower and the Chicago Cultural Center.
RECOMMENDED: Your guide to living in Chicago
The architectural innovation hasn’t slowed down since, with recent projects like Aqua Tower and the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library cementing Chicago’s status as a hotbed of innovative structures. Even the city’s historical buildings are being put to new uses, housing stores, bars and restaurants that allow visitors to experience a part of the area’s architectural history. We went on a few boat tours, consulted some experts and explored the city to assemble our list of 50 of Chicago’s most beautiful buildings.
