Olympia Centre

Olympia Centre is a 221-meter tall skyscraper in Chicago's River North neighborhood with a granite facade that tapers from a wider base toward the top across 63 floors. The structure houses retail spaces at ground level, office areas from floors 6 to 23, and residential condominiums occupying the upper floors.

Construction of the building began in 1981 and was completed in 1986, introducing a new architectural approach to Chicago's downtown commercial development. This completion marked an important phase in the modern reshaping of the River North district.

The Consulate General of Japan occupies the eleventh floor, making the building a place where visitors can sense Japanese cultural presence in the city's downtown landscape.

The building offers ground-level retail spaces that are accessible to the public, while office and residential areas above are restricted to occupants and authorized visitors. You can easily explore the retail areas during business hours, though you may need permission to access the upper floors.

The exterior is clad in Swedish granite that was processed in Italy, giving the building an uncommon material origin story that few visitors know about. This carefully sourced combination of materials contributes significantly to the tower's distinctive appearance.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1986

Architects: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Floors above the ground: 63

Height: 221 m

Address: 161 East Chicago Avenue

GPS coordinates: 41.89636,-87.62306

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:46