Chicago Cultural Center

By Tara Loughman

While I was in Chicago, IL for the GreenBuild Convention, I was able to go around the downtown area with a friend and experience some of Chicago’s finest architecture. Walking down E. Washington Street, we decided to stop into the Chicago Cultural Center. My first expectations for the center weren’t as positive as one would think, until I first stepped into the building. Once inside I could not believe my eyes; the amount of detail and character expressed throughout the space had me speechless.

The Chicago Cultural Center is located in the downtown loop area across from Millennium Park. Built in 1893, the building was originally designed for the city's central library and Grand Army of the Republic Museum. In 1981, the building then became known as it is today; The Chicago Cultural Center.


The buildings envelope is made up of Bedford Blue Limestone on a granite base with two Tiffany stained-glass domes capping the roof that leave you in awe. Upon entering the 3-story vaulted lobby, a grand staircase, made of white marble, flanks the room’s ornate details. As you begin to walk up the staircase, you begin to see the dramatic and timeless applications used throughout the space. My favorite detail was that of the intricate mosaic tile flooring. The mosaics were made with glass, stone, and mother of pearl tiles. The part that made this my favorite, was not only the tile and its layout, but was the particular pastel-like color mixture applied.

Each floor leads you to exhibitions and or programs that cover a wide range of performing and visual arts. On the third floor, the center was exhibiting a collection of photographs, drawings, and mock models of the late architect, Louis Sullivan. This was very interesting, not only as an architect student, but as a tourist because a lot of his influences were used throughout the city and Chicago’s School of Architecture.


The Chicago Cultural Center was definitely a place I loved seeing. The beauty and history it holds for the city is something I definitely didn’t know about until I was there and I’m definitely glad I was able to experience it.