Originally constructed in 1888, the Rookery Office Building is the oldest remaining high-rise in Chicago and was built by Daniel H. Burnham & J. W. Root. It’s name probably came from the previous building on this site which was an old city hall and was a favorite roosting spot of pigeons. The lobby was remodeled in 1905 by Frank Lloyd Wright, who simplified the ironwork of Burham and Root and added planters, terra cotta and light fixtures in his trademark prairie style.
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Interested persons can take a guided tour of the Rookery lobby and the Burnham Library. The Burnham Library is where prominent architects of the day (Louis Sullivan, Charles B. Atwood, Frederick Law Olmsted and more) met to discuss the preliminary building plans for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
Exploring the Loop’s Architectural Treasures
If you want to experience the breathtaking scale of the Rookery firsthand, booking a guided architecture walking tour is an excellent way to see it. Many comprehensive walking tours of the Chicago Loop take visitors inside the spectacular light court, allowing you to stand right beneath Wright’s massive glass skylight and admire the gold-leaf ornamentation in person.
Beyond the Rookery, these walking routes frequently guide you past some of downtown Chicago’s most legendary historic hotels and landmarks. You will get to explore towering masterpieces of the early Chicago School of architecture, mapping out how the city transformed from a pioneer outpost into a world-class metropolis of steel and stone.
Historic Accommodations in the Financial District
For travelers wishing to stay completely immersed in the city’s rich history, the blocks surrounding the Rookery feature some of Chicago’s most opulent historic accommodations. Just steps away on LaSalle Street, you can experience modern luxury inside celebrated landmark structures, such as The LaSalle Chicago (housed in a sophisticated, club-like high-rise) or the Kimpton Gray Hotel (located in the beautifully restored 1894 New York Life Insurance Building). For a taste of classic Gilded Age grandeur, the legendary Palmer House Hilton is also nearby, offering a stunning, frescoed lobby ceiling that mirrors the artistic ambition of the 1893 World’s Fair era.
For travelers arriving via transit, the Rookery Building and its surrounding hotels are remarkably accessible—located within comfortable walking distance or a very short cab ride from Chicago Union Station.
Additional Resources, Links & Products
Browse these resources for more information about this FLW Building, it’s history and information about the region.
- The Rookery: A Building Book from the Chicago Architecture Foundation (2003)
- The Plan of Chicago: Daniel Burnham and the Remaking of the American City by Carl Smith (2006)
- The Space Within: Inside Great Chicago Buildings
