Welcome to tuxgraphics.org: Chicago from the John Hancock Center, November 2003

Chicago from the John Hancock Center, November 2003

The John Hancock Center (now known as the 360 Chicago), being 344 meters high, is currently the second tallest building in Chicago.
For three years it was Chicago's tallest building before the Willis Tower (called Sears Tower before) surpassed it in 1973. The John Hancock Center was a pioneering achievement in the use of structural steel and was designed to withstand the high winds of Chicago.

When we went up there by elevator it felt like the take off in an airplane for my ears and I had to swallow a few times to get used to the height difference.

The views from high up there of Chicago and Lake Michigan were spectacular even though it was a bit cloudy.

On a clearer day you can also see parts of Illinois (the state Chicago belongs to), Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan. It is so impressive to see all the skyscrapers from high up and watch the small cars moving along on the roads.

The John Hancock Center was named after the John Hancock Insurance Company, which was the building's main tenant when it was completed in 1970. The insurance company had a strong presence in Chicago and wanted to associate its name with the iconic skyscraper. In 2018 the building was sold and the new owners wanted to highlight the panoramic views available from the observation deck on the 94th floor and therefore renamed it to 360 Chicago.