Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, Courthouse in the Loop, Chicago, United States
The Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse is a 30-story skyscraper in Chicago's Loop, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and completed in 1964. Its facade is a grid of dark glass windows set in a steel frame, and a glass-enclosed great hall runs through the center, opening a view across the complex.
The courthouse was the first building of the Chicago Federal Center to be completed, in 1964, after Congress authorized the complex in 1960. It was renamed in 1969 to honor Everett Dirksen, the longtime Illinois senator, following his death.
The great hall acts as a public passage, and on weekdays you see lawyers and office workers crossing through it. The courtrooms on the upper floors are finished in black walnut, a warm contrast to the glass and steel outside.
The building sits at 219 South Dearborn Street, with entrances on the plaza side and on Dearborn. Visitors should expect airport-style security checks and should carry a photo ID; the great hall is open during business hours and offers a direct route through the block.
The courtrooms were placed away from the outer walls to reduce noise and distractions, and the building was designed from the start to allow extra courtrooms to be added later. That expansion took place in the 1990s, matching the original details.
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