Everything you need to know about 360 Chicago

What is 360 Chicago?

Located 1,000 feet above Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, 360 Chicago is an attraction you must experience if you find yourself in the Windy City. Perched atop the iconic former John Hancock Center, the observation deck gives you unparalleled views of Chicago city.

Don’t miss out on TILT, an exhilarating and unforgettable feature available at 360 Chicago.

Brief history of 360 Chicago

1965: The building that houses the observation deck was originally conceived to be the second tallest building in the world.

1967: Construction of the tower was interrupted because of a flaw that was discovered in an innovative engineering method used to pour concrete in stages.

1969: After an engineering problem and a credit crunch, the building was finally completed. Its first resident, Ray Heckla, was the original building engineer.

1999: Originally known as the John Hancock Observatory, the 360-degree observatory has won various awards for its distinctive style, including the Distinguished Architects Twenty-five Year Award from the American Institute of Architects.

2012: A Paris-based company Montparnasse 56 Group purchased the John Hancock Observatory.

Who built 360 Chicago?

The building that houses the 360 Chicago Observation deck was originally financed by the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company. But its engineering issue in 1967 resulted in a credit crunch that pushed the owner to go bankrupt. John Hancock took over the project, which retained the original design, architect, engineer and main contractor. The project was completed in 1969.