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Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower

Coordinates: 41°53′5.55″N 87°37′11.66″W / 41.8848750°N 87.6199056°W / 41.8848750; -87.6199056
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower is located in Chicago metropolitan area
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower
Location within Chicago metropolitan area
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower is located in Illinois
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower (Illinois)
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower is located in the United States
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower (the United States)
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeOffice
Location300 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, Illinois
Coordinates41°53′5.55″N 87°37′11.66″W / 41.8848750°N 87.6199056°W / 41.8848750; -87.6199056
Construction started1995 (phase 1)
2007 (phase 2)
Completed1997 (phase 1)
2010 (phase 2)
Height
Roof744 ft (227 m)
Technical details
Floor count54
Design and construction
Architect(s)Lohan Associates (Phase 1)
Goettsch Partners (Phase 2)
Structural engineerMagnusson Klemencic Associates

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower (BCBS) is on the north end of Millennium Park along E. Randolph Street at the NE corner of Randolph and Columbus Drive, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is home to the headquarters of Health Care Service Corporation.

The building's address is 300 E. Randolph Street and is next to the Aon Center. Original plans to connect the two buildings via an underground pedway never came to fruition.

Architect James Goettsch of Goettsch Partners designed the building. The 33-story first phase was completed in 1997 under the firm name of Lohan Associates (now Goettsch Partners). The 24-story second phase started in 2007 and was completed in 2010.

Expansion

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In 2006 the City of Chicago granted a building permit to Health Care Service Corporation Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to renovate the building upwards, which gave additional 24 stories and made the building 57 stories in total (3 floors below ground).[1] Upon its completion, it became the first project in Chicago that built upon an existing tower.[2]

Photo from 2007 prior to expansion
2010 - Showing the building's new height in relation to surrounding
2010 - Showing the building from Lakeshore East
Photo from Sept. 2008 during expansion

Tenants

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Tower as billboard

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A message displayed to celebrate the Chicago Cubs' effort to win the 2015 NLCS

The management of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower frequently shows its support for health care issues, local events, Chicago sports, and charities by arranging to have appropriate messaging displayed at night on the south facade of the building facing Grant Park.[3]

Unlike the nearby CNA Center,[citation needed] the drafting of the message is done by hand.[4]

Position in Chicago's skyline

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The skyline of a city with many large skyscrapers; in the foreground is a green park and a lake with many sailboats moored on it. Over 30 of the skyscrapers and some park features are labeled.311 South WackerWillis TowerChicago Board of Trade Building111 South WackerAT&T Corporate CenterKluczynski Federal Building333 South WabashChase TowerThree First National PlazaMid-Continental PlazaRichard J. Daley CenterChicago Title and Trust Center77 West WackerPittsfield BuildingLeo Burnett BuildingThe Heritage at Millennium ParkCrain Communications BuildingIBM PlazaOne Prudential PlazaTwo Prudential PlazaAon CenterBlue Cross and Blue Shield Tower340 on the ParkPark TowerOlympia Centre900 North Michigan875 North Michigan AvenueWater Tower PlaceHarbor PointThe ParkshoreNorth Pier ApartmentsLake Point TowerJay Pritzker PavilionBuckingham FountainLake MichiganLake MichiganLake Michigan

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Blue Cross-Blue Shield Tower - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  2. ^ Japsen, Bruce (July 26, 2006). "24 More Stories Coming to Blue Cross Building". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  3. ^ "LifeTimes - Your Guide to Lifelong Health - Community Corner - How'd They Do That? Turning a Building into a Billboard". Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
  4. ^ A final tribute in lights: 'Thanks Chris', Chicago Tribune, 2013-12-11
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