The public lobby is the only free part and it was just ok. If you're expecting to explore a lot without paying for a tour you will be underwhelmed. Unless you're a big Frank Lloyd Wright fan or planning to do a guided tour, it's not really worth going out of your way for. Honestly not even as nice as some malls in terms of impressiveness. If you're already in the area it's fine to pop in for a few minutes and look around, but I wouldn't make a special trip just for this. The entrance to the lobby also smelled. read more

Stunning interior that should not be missed by architecture enthusiasts. Literally breath taken as I walked into the main lobby which basks in natural light. So much detail everywhere yet beautifully balanced. It's Chicago's oldest high rise, the lobby updated by Frank Lloyd Wright. A private tour will take you up the circular staircase and second lobby level. Hoping to tour on my next visit. There's a small Frank Lloyd Wright gift shop on the ground level. Space is available for private events. I hope those who work here in the businesses never lose appreciation of its beauty. If you're a tourist who visits the nearby Money Museum, stop by The Rookery and prepare to be amazed! read more

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Visiting The Rookery was one of those quiet Chicago moments that really sticks with you. From the outside it's understated, but once you step into the Light Court, the space opens up with natural light, ironwork, and detail everywhere you look. The Frank Lloyd Wright staircase is subtle but impressive--nothing flashy, just solid design that holds up over time.Tip for first-time visitors: go on a weekday and aim for mid-morning if you can--the light is best, it's calmer, and you'll actually have space to stop and look around. It's not a long visit, but it doesn't need to be. The Rookery is simple, beautiful, and worth slowing down for. read more

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3.5 stars. I took an architectural tour of The Rookery. The tour was about 45 minutes. Since it is an active office building, we were mainly outside of the building and in the lobby. The guide spoke of the history of the building and the changes Frank Lloyd Wright. My main appeal was the Oriel staircase, which was pretty stunning. We were able to go up two flights for photographs. This is only worth it if you love architecture and Chicago history. read more

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From a standing start at the exterior walls of the Rookery Building, it's only a short walk through the revolving doors before you'll see one of Frank Loyd Wright's works of architectural genius :-) Tip: The Rookery Building is situated at 209 S. LaSalle St. LaSalle St. is the heart of Chicago's financial district, so you'll probably want to proceed from here West on LaSalle to the Chicago Board of Trade Building. Within the Rookery Building, the natural lighting from above provides a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere. Once you're inside, there's only a small amount of diligent observation required before you locate a column where you'll see the pre-FLW design in full view. Look at this for a while, and decide for yourself whether you prefer Mr. Wright's design ideas to the original ones. When you're finished here, if you head exit and proceed North a short way for about 15 minutes on foot you'll come to the Harold Washington Library Center. This was built by Frank Loyd Wright's former employer, Louis Sullivan. Since the HWL was completed in October of 1991, it has appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest public library building in the world. read more

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Great building! Take the FLW tour to learn all the details and history. They are amazing! I don't wanna spoil it. Just go!! read more

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Gorgeous piece of architectural history in downtown Chicago. Too many people walk right past this building and have no idea the beauty that can be found inside. Take a tour if you can, or if not, it's possible to still visit parts of the building independently. read more

We stopped at this building on our way to the train station and spent about 10 minutes in the building. The interior is indeed pretty and worth taking a look. Plus, it's free to enter the building and talk around on the 1st floor and 2nd floor where businesses are located. read more

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a architecturally gorgeous building that fits right in with the rest of the architecture history of chicago. a nice stop for visitors to get a close view of Chicago intricately beautiful architecture. read more

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This spot was underwhelming and NOT what I thought it would be. I thought this would be a gorgeous spot for photos of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. And you can view a pretty skylight and parts of a grand staircase. But you're confined to the first floor, so you don't get to see most of that staircase. This spot is composed of apartment complex on the upper floors and a US Bank office and a couple other shops. There is a Frank Lloyd Wright shop there. Ok to see if you're in the area (I was there to see the money museum), but I wouldn't make a special trip. read more

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Very interesting building - would recommend taking a tour and getting the guide Chris. Very informative. Would have been nice to go to the 11th floor, so if there is a tour that does that go for it. Regular tour talks about that floor and leaves you wishing you could see it. read more

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Building is gorgeous and such a hidden gem. Take the CAC tour to see the library and go up the stairs. read more

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Chicago , Illinois 9-11-2019 I took the tour of the Rookery building and the architecture is stunning. The tour is only scheduled for Monday and Wednesday... a 12:00 noon or 1:00 pm if you miss the 12:00 noon. Otherwise one can only view the Lobby where one can view part of the magnificent staircase and the "Light Court" The Building was built with an Atrium which can not actually be viewed very well even on the $ 15.00 tour. However , there is good news Yelpers. After the tour I went on line and found a two minute video tour of the Rookery Building ( Chicago ) on YouTube. The video tour on YouTube is more spectacular than the actual tour of the building due to restrictions imposed on the tour by building management. The tour is offered by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust located in the lobby where tickets are sold for the tour. To avoid expensive downtown parking it is suggested that you take public transportation to the city center or Uber it. But do yourself a favor. Go on YouTube and search for the Rookery Building in Chicago and find the 2 minute video tour of the Rookery where a stunning view of the Atrium and magnificent stairwell "ORIEL" is on display along with a great view of the outside of the building and it's ornate art work. Rookery ... the tallest building in Chicago at the time ... ( 1888 ) where all the birds gathered for a better view of the city... hence the name ROOKERY. read more

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WOW! An over the top architectural gem! This place is about as cool as a building can get! The Rookery is a fantastic place to check out- It's got this series of staircases that twist and turn gracefully while ascending each subsequent floor in a beautiful pattern. The building was redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright, who put some cool angles on the building, giving it marble covers for the ornately designed pipes. The attention to detail here is exquisite! There's a Frank Lloyd Wright souvenir store here, with some cool stuff to commemorate your trip here. Everything here is covered with the most intricate displays of architectural flourishes. It's such a beautiful space here. It's a great building to cut through. I'm glad I went! Parking can be challenging if you want to come here. I have no idea how you'd begin to park around here. read more

Truly a hidden gem in the city of Chicago. It has the most amazing spiral staircase I've ever seen. Chances are, you've seen a picture of them at some point. I haven't done the tour, but it is on my to do list in Chicago. It's hard to get in if you're simply trying to get a look at the stairs. But if you're inconspicuous about it, no one will say anything. If anything, sign up for the tour! read more

The Rookery Building - Staircase - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love Frank Lloyd Wright and architecture in general, and I had seen beautiful pictures of the light court in this building, so I knew I had to go see the Rookery, a Chicago historic landmark located in the Loop. Originally designed and built by Daniel Burnham and John Root, the Rookery is a magnificent building inside and out. The red exterior of the building includes Moorish, Romanesque, Venetian, Arabian, and Byzantine influences. Considered one of the early skyscrapers, the 11-story Rookery is now dwarfed by neighboring buildings. At the time it was built (right after the Great Chicago Fire), it was a revolutionary building because it was one of the first buildings built with a steel interior frame and masonry exterior walls. And to get nerdy on you for a few minutes, here are a few little other factoids on the Rookery. The name supposedly originated with the crows that lived in the previous structure's walls, paralleling the politicians who roosted there each day, hence the Rookery. It's considered the oldest standing high rise in Chicago. The Rookery's light fixtures were originally equipped for both gas and electricity. It once housed Chicago's first public library, and at another time served as a safe deposit building and still contains safe deposit boxes. The central light court is the most beautiful part of this building and was designed to greet visitors and leave them with a sense of awe. And awe-inspiring it is. The wrought and cast iron frame creates a light, airy, bird-cage-like feel that even today's interior office tenants can enjoy. The light court is also where most of Wright's renovation work can be seen. He replaced all the light fixtures with his signature circle within a square geometric pieces. In the lobby, Wright covered nearly every inch of the original decorative panels and railings with incised and gilded marble to lighten up the space. Another magnificent feature of the building is Root's iron staircase that winds down from the top floor to the second floor and projects into the light well. When you look up into the stairwell, the intricate, repeating patterns and the spiraling nature of the steps is a breathtaking sight. The Chicago Architecture Foundation gives an hour tour at noon two Thursdays a month for $10. If you can fit this in during your lunch break, I'd recommend it. If you don't want to pay, you can go inside and check out the lobby and light court area for free but won't be allowed to go up the stairs. The two good reasons to go on a tour is that you can go up to see the famous winding iron staircase and light well, and if you're a history buff, on the CAF tour, you can go to the 11th floor and see the private Burnham library, where famous minds planned the World's Columbian Exposition. read more

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I LOVE architecture and have loved Chicago for the past 20yrs or so because of the incomparable architecture there. The Rookery is one of my favorite buildings in the city. The highlights to remember about this historic building: *Designed by the great architects Root and Burnham. *The gorgeous lobby was renovated by the infamous Frank Lloyd Wright. *The light court and the staircase are incomparable! A must-see in Chicago. Skip the weenies and the pizza gouging and visit Chicago's many hidden architectural gems. read more

Beautiful building with a gorgeous interior! Came here for a small concert and it was super enjoyable!

Tour Guide - Karen was nice, friendly, informative, and passionate about this building. She's the kind of tour guide that made me excited about a room that had only tables and chairs. Design - Beautiful, many patterns, and incredible attention to detail. Tour - 60 minutes. Several photo opportunities. Rich with architectural history. I feel more cultured already. read more

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This building is stunning. Stuch amazing attention to detail. Don't walk by it without checking out the lobby. There are a few retail stores as well as a Pot Belly (with a public restroom). If you are a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright like I am you will want to check out the FLW store. The trust also offers a tour, it's about an hour and I think the price was $10-15. Well worth it, and it's the only way you are going to get beyond the lobby to get the great shots of the stairs. They are pretty strict about where you can and cannot go on the tour but this is also an office building with tenants that I'm sure pay quite a bit to have their office in such a prestigious building. Be classy, and prepare to delve into Chicago history and of course get another glimpse into the mastermind known as Frank Lloyd Wright as well as other great architects of the day Burnham and Root. read more

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Interesting space. The Rookery Light Court was one stop on the Chicago Architecture Foundation's Architectural Highlights by Bus (which is a 3.5 hour tour) on Saturday. Our Guide aka Volunteer Docent Dan Fitzgerald pointed out the Rooks on the outside arch of the building...if you are like me, I had no idea what "Rooks" were....online definition via the Internet states..Rooks are "a gregarious Eurasian crow with black plumage and a bare face, nesting in colonies in treetops." Anywhoo...the building is one of the earliest examples of skyscrapers in Chicago designed by Daniel Burnham and John Root in 1881. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright later remodeled it with a central light court and goldleaf-incised Carrara marble. The original ornamental metalwork designed by Root still remains. The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust is also located on the edge of the light court. Which seems fitting. read more

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We just walked in to check out the lobby area instead of opting for a tour, but take 5 minutes to stick your head in. It's beautiful. read more

If you want to see the iconic stairwell I suggest buying a ticket to the noon tour that includes the library on Wednesday for $15 ($16.30 plus fees) . It does costs more, however, I was the only only one who bought a ticket and therefore received a private tour. It made it so much easier to shoot the stairs without a bunch of other tourists in the group getting in the way. For example the cheaper stairwell only tour at 11am before mine had about 12 people in it all trying to shoot at once. Joan gave an amazingly thorough tour and I left with so much more knowledge of Frank L. Wright's architectural work. read more

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My wife wanted to see "The Rookery" while we were in Chicago... I had no idea what that meant, but I went along anyway. Apparently, it's one of Chicago's best examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's work. It's a rather off-the-books tourist spot; no signs, no crowds, no admission fees. You just gotta look for the address, walk inside just past the elevators into the main lobby area. There's not really anything to do here... it's just about admiring the architecture. That being said, there is definitely a lot to admire about the architecture! The attention to details is something you never, ever see in today's buildings. Everything was stylized with some elaborate designs that would add billions to the cost of today's big-city buildings. It's really more of a self-guided thing, and it's just a lobby. I don't think you can freely wander around the upper levels of the building unless you are there for business. There are a couple posters off to the side of the lobby that give you some history behind the building and the restoration of it. But hey, if you are in the area and have 30 minutes to spend, why not check it out? Remember, it's FREE! Cool fact: They used the building exterior as "Duncan's Toy Chest" in Home Alone 2!! read more

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Frank Lloyd Wright. Free. Downtown Chicago. Free. Historic Landmark. Free. Impressive degree of detail from the tourguides. Free. read more

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This is for the Light Court Guided Rookery Tour. Absolutely gorgeous, although I was a little disappointed with how little we got to see on the tour. However, because there are opportunities to see more on different tours, I have decided not to lower my rating.. just know going into it that you're not going past the second floor. The tour is short (half hour), but very informative. With fees, it only costs $7.53 per person, so it's definitely worth it. You tour the downstairs (can enter this part for free but won't get additional information provided by tour), outside briefly, and then go upstairs to look at the staircase. If you're going to see Frank Lloyd Wright's work, be forewarned that he was responsible for renovating and brightening up the Light Court, but not for designing the entire building. Burnham and Root were the original designers, and it has undergone several renovations since then, one of them involving FLW's work. I love the glass roof and all of the details. The light fixtures and marble are breathtaking. If you're interested in architecture and are in the area, definitely worth exploring. I would've loved to have seen Burnham and Root's library, but it wasn't included in this tour (only available on Wednesdays). read more

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This building by Burnham and Root dates back to 1886. Its deep red masonry exterior makes this section of LaSalle a favorite backdrop for movie shoots of "Old Chicago". Its interior light court was beautifully remodeled by the young Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905 and is well worth a closer look if the security guard lets you. The fancy Brooks Brothers men's clothing store is here. read more

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Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Frank Lloyd Wright maintained an office in this building, back in the day and did some remodeling work on it as well when he was young. It was originally designed by Daniel Burnham, Burnham and Root - who basically built Chicago. I went to an event here the other night. Sipping champagne in an architectural treasure? Yes, please. read more

I've been decorating in this unique building for over 10 years...Everytime I enter this space I still feel a sense of awe....The interior is a contrast to the exterior. What is heavy and dark on the outside encloses a space that's light and airy almost spirtual on the inside...Frank Lloyd Wright renovated the interior, and it's a rare example of his commercial work of that era. There are so may unique venues in Chicago but this is one of my favorite!!!...though it takes my staff 6 hours to set up the temporary fabric draping for weddings when they get hungry Potbelly is right there to take a break and get something to eat!. Did you also know this was one of the first "Green Buildings' in Chicago....with their method of construction and how the architects employed a combination of designs to maximize light and air in this early office building. Love it!!! ...can't believe there aren't more wedding there! read more

​The Rookery tour was led by a very nice volunteer. She was well spoken and knowledgeable. The tour mostly consists of walking back and forth in the main lobby which you can assess without being on the tour. The only access granted to those on the tour vs the general public is a trip up the staircase for a better look at the spiral stairs and a journey around the mezzanine level. While I didn't get as much access as was expected I still felt I got all the information I had hoped for. The guide was very good at explaining the buildings various transitions and what elements were altered when and by whom. The guide even took us outside to explain some external features of the building as well as explain the method of construction. I would recommend going on the tour if you are going to bother stopping in here at all. There are a few signs posted with information, but the tour provided much more. read more

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We stopped by for a couple Chicago Architecture Foundation Tours. This is important in architectural history for being a transitional building -- part masonry and part metal frame. The external brick details are wonderful -- Just check out the letters spelling out the street names. But you really have to go inside to appreciate bright, intricate glass-marble-gold lobby designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and the beautifully curved staircase protruding into this light court. Plus it's got a Potbelly! Ranked 128th on the American Institute of Architects' Favorite Architecture list: http://favoritearchitecture.org/afa150.php read more

The Rookery Building - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you are an art major, or architect major, you'll appreciate The Rookery Building. From the outside, it looks like just a regular building, but once you step inside, it's a masterpiece of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. If you ever saw the grand entrance in that Titanic movie, the Rookery Building reminds me a bit like it with the staircase, glass clear stained windows on the rooftop, and the materials being used. It's hard to explain just because I am not that artistic, but to think that this was probably designed after the great chicago fire, it's undeniable that Frank Lloyd Wright was a artistic guru. To bad I wasn't able to walk up the staircase as patrol monitored everything, so my pictures didn't come out as great as I could not take what I wanted. Maybe it opens on the weekend or after work? I came during my lunch break. read more

Breathtaking. Stunning. Classic. Elegant. Timeless. All of this went through my head when I entered the lobby. I took one of the daily tours provided by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. The tour guide Karen was very knowledgeable on the building's history. If you appreciate architecture and/or history, I recommend the tour for $10 and 30 minutes of your time. read more

Beautiful inside. Especially the stairway looking up. We did the tour which was $15 a person. You're pretty much paying $15 to take a picture of the stair way. I thought we would be able to go all the way up the stairs but we only went up a flight of stairs. One of those things where you go once and wouldn't come back again. Beautiful place though. read more

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MUST READ if planning an EVENT here! Beware of Mr. Belvedere cleaning house. It is unfortunate that my review would be much higher if not for one arrogant, pompous individual that should go back to the bloody island he came from. To my understanding the person running the show at this historic Chicago landmark hired a Brit (apparently a friend of his) to consult on the catering operation. This man needs to be kicked in the face by a donkey. This place is a pretty interesting venue for a wedding. The service was decent and the food matched the service. If the Brit goes back home, then this place may be worth looking into, otherwise there are WAY too many other exceptional venues downtown Chicago. And my review stays a 1 star until I get a personal apology from the man who should be kicked by a donkey. However I prefer leaving this a one star review because that man is ridiculous. I would love to do a USA vs England charity boxing event with him at one corner and myself at the other so I can teach him some American Manners. Who's with me? read more

What a perfect place for two architects to get married! I could not have been happier with our Rookery wedding. The space is very old schoo Chicago, grand and elegant, but also really intimate-- exactly the feeling we wanted to achieve at our wedding. We had about 115 guests in attendance, which seemed to be an ideal number for this space. It felt full without feeling claustrophobic. We were told that the space could accommodate up to 190 people, but if you're looking at a guest count of 150+ I would be skeptical about this space. I am sure it would work, but not sure it would be comfortable. We held both the ceremony and reception here and it worked perfectly-- the ceremony was held in the main atrium (and I came down that giant staircase-- scary, but amazing!), the guests were ushered upstairs for cocktails on the mezzanine level while the staff flipped the main level for the reception, and then the guests came back down for dinner and dancing. A perfect wedding in a perfect venue! read more

The Rookery Building - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Rookery is one of most amazing architectural structures in the city. A hidden gem in the "Grand Canyon" of the financial district, LaSalle Street. Years of restoration, a unique structure, of history and strength, in architecture. The Rookery is so magnificently designed with such awe and grandeur. The heavy stone archways with white carrara marble that covers the walls and ceilings, greet visitors in the entrance ways. The Rookery was built with cast iron columns and has wrought iron spandel beams to support it structure. One of the most famous photos of the building is the balustrade. The views of the Light Court are stunning. I have certainly had the privilege of working in the Rookery several years ago. I have grown the love, appreciate and admire the beauty of this architecture in the city of big shoulders. The Rookery is on the National Register of Historic Places. Many people in the architectural society has considered this one of Chicago's masterpieces. The Rookery was designed by Burnham and Root and then redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright including the Light Court. The Rookery was referred to as the site of the post-fire City Hall. The name lends its history to the crows and pigeons that use to inhabit the building. Rooks were ultimately added to the architectural structure of the building in remembrance of the "squawking corrupt politicians", also one of the reasons Chicago was called the Windy City, "long winded politicians". The Rookery hosts private events, especially weddings and fund raising galas. This historical amazement of wonder should be on every tour guide stop in Chicago. read more

We had our wedding here about a month ago and it was perfect! The Rookery is truly one of those hidden gems in Chicago. The architecture speaks for itself the moment you walk in. It's truly breathtaking. We had about 145 people attend our wedding. I was nervous that their wouldn't be enough room for tables and a dance floor, but when everything was set up I was pleasantly surprised by how much space their really was. We had a 7 piece band and still plenty of room for guests to dance. I highly highly recommend the Rookery as a wedding venue, especially for couples looking for something different than the generic banquet hall. read more

I recently attended the annual Frank Lloyd Wright Plus house walk and thought this was a good occasion to show this fantastic group some love. Back in 1974, this group was formed to save (and acquire) the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio in Oak Park. After years of work and a 3 million dollar restoration, the Home & Studio are safe, sound, and enjoyed by thousands of visitors each and every year. Furthermore, they also oversee the Robie House, the restoration of which will be complete sometime in 2010. They work diligently to protect some of FLW's most important buildings, to raise awareness of his works, to educate the public about FLW, and to raise funds to protect both buildings which they oversee. We are lucky to have such a wonderful group of stewards for two of FLW's finest structures. When you visit the Robie House or the Studio in Oak Park, be sure to donate to this fine cause, or better yet, become a member. If you aren't up for that, at least give the annual house walk a try, it's worth every penny. One of the main fundraisers for the trust annually, the house walk is run by enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers. You are guided through a number of private FLW homes whose owners are kind enough to open their homes to the general public for one day as well as some significant homes by other well known architects. The logistics of this event are mind boggling and it's worth every cent to attend. Great organization with a truly worthwhile goal. Check them out on the web for more information, this is one of my all time favorite non-profits. read more

Went to a wedding here this weekend. This building is absolutely gorgeous. The Frank Lloyd Wright atrium is breathtaking. Words can't do it justice, so I will post pictures soon. read more

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