Chicago Water Tower

The Chicago Water Tower is a slender limestone structure on Michigan Avenue that rises about 180 feet in Gothic Revival style with castellated details and warm yellow stone walls. The building resembles a medieval European fortress with heavy masonry and pointed arch windows that climb to the crenellated top.

Built between 1867 and 1869 by architect William W. Boyington and engineer Ellis Sylvester Chesbrough, the tower housed a tall standpipe that regulated pressure across the city's expanding water system. After the Great Fire of 1871 devastated much of downtown Chicago, this structure was among the few buildings that survived, becoming a symbol of resilience.

The tower houses the City Gallery, which displays photography and artwork by Chicago artists in a space that connects the building's past function with contemporary art today. Visitors can see how the city transforms industrial heritage into a platform for creative expression.

The City Gallery inside opens free of charge during weekday and weekend hours, while the exterior is accessible anytime for photography and viewing. The location on Michigan Avenue makes it easy to combine with a walk through the downtown shopping and cultural district.

Local accounts tell of firefighter Frank Trautman protecting the building during the Great Fire by wetting blankets and draping them over the yellow limestone walls. This quick action may have prevented the stone from cracking under the intense heat.

Location: Chicago

Location: Illinois

Architects: William W. Boyington

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Height: 55 m

Part of: Old Chicago Water Tower District

Address: North Michigan Avenue

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00-19:00; Saturday,Sunday 10:00-17:00

GPS coordinates: 41.89716,-87.62442

Latest update: December 18, 2025 15:40