Rookery Building

  • Interior building lobby with glass ceiling and grand staircase

Explore the interior and exterior of one of Chicago’s most famous and beloved historic buildings. *CAC Select tour.

  • Interior building lobby with glass ceiling and grand staircase

Explore the Rookery by Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root; a Moorish castle on the exterior with a stunning interior atrium redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Duration
1 hour
Site Type
Buildings
Location
Downtown
Architects and Styles
Meet

209 S. LaSalle St. at the grand staircase

Marvel at the exquisite beauty and grandeur of the highly ornamented brick and granite exterior, which some liken to a Moorish castle. Learn more about the method of construction and how the architects employed a combination of designs to maximize light and air in this early office building. We’ll also discuss various renovations and restorations to the building and learn the interesting story of how The Rookery earned its name.

*CAC Select tours are free for membership level Dual and above. See more about the difference between Premier, Essential and Select walking tours or learn more about CAC membership levels.

Tour reviews

    • No image description available.No image description available.
      Guests are wowed by the beauty of the building and the tri-layer history exposed during the tour. They also love the special visit to the Burnham and Root library and being in “the room where it happened.”
      Bobbi PinkertCAC Docent
  • view looking down a staircase with black ornate railings

    Detail of the Rookery staircase

  • view looking down a staircase with black ornate railings

    Rookery Atrium. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers.

  • Group of people gathered in building lobby

    Rookery Atrium.

  • Corner of building with ornate lettering of street names

    Rookery Exterior

  • Corner of building with ornate lettering of street names

    Rookery Exterior. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers.

  • Looking up at entrance to building with two flags

    Rookery Exterior. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers.

Tour Accessibility

CAC is committed to improving access to our tours. The accessibility information below reflects our docents’ experience and is provided for general guidance only.

What to expect on this tour

  • Icon of a person walking with a red percentage sign

    Terrain & Surfaces

    Easy - Paved and flat the entire route

  • Icon of a wheelchair and red arrow

    Wheelchair & Walker Access

    Moderate - Ramps and alternate routes provided

  • Icon of the outline or some steps and a red arrow pointing diagonally right and up.

    Steps or Stairs

    Moderate - Step-free alternate route available

  • Icon of an ear with a red throughline

    Hearing Access

    Easy - Quiet setting, easy to hear

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MORE ABOUT THIS BUILDING

Discover more about the Rookery in CAC's Buildings of Chicago online library.

LEARN MORE
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Ticket price includes entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center within 7 days of your walking or bus tour.

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