Equitable Building, Commercial skyscraper on Michigan Avenue, Chicago, United States
The Equitable Building at 401 North Michigan Avenue is a modern commercial tower that rises above Michigan Avenue with a clean rectangular form. Its aluminum curtain walls and central core represent the straightforward design approach of mid-20th-century office buildings.
This site saw Chicago's first Euro-American settlement in the late 1700s, establishing the foundation for what would become a major city. The location later transformed into a center of commercial development as the city grew.
Pioneer Court at the building's base features a fountain and a bust honoring Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, reflecting the site's role as Chicago's birthplace. Visitors can pause here to reflect on the city's founding moment.
The public plaza around the building offers a good starting point for exploring Michigan Avenue and viewing the nearby bridge structure. The area is easily walkable and provides seating areas with views of the surrounding architecture.
The building's foundation uses old railway cars as caissons, a clever solution for the wet ground near the river. This unusual engineering approach reflects the practical problem-solving of the era when it was built.
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