Mid-Continental Plaza, International Style skyscraper in Chicago, United States
Mid-Continental Plaza is a 49-story office and residential tower in downtown Chicago with a glass facade marked by thin vertical steel lines. The structure spans across an entire block and features a granite-lined interior passage connecting different street levels.
Construction began in 1969 and finished in 1972 as Chicago's financial district was expanding. The building was later redesigned to include residential apartments in its upper levels.
The interior design displays a straightforward, no-nonsense approach that reflects how office buildings were imagined in its era. Visitors notice the simple materials and clean lines that prioritize function over ornamentation.
The building sits in a busy business district with good access to multiple transit stations nearby. The public passage running through the interior is open during daytime hours and provides a convenient shortcut between different streets.
The building was designed with specially chosen granite cladding throughout its lobby spaces, setting it apart from other skyscrapers of its time. This detail shows how careful attention to materials and finishes was possible even in large structures.
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