Metropolitan Tower

In 1924, a grand building graced Chicago’s skyline: the Metropolitan Tower. Originally named the Straus Building, the Metropolitan Tower made history. It was Chicago’s first building with 30 or more floors. Interestingly, it was never officially Chicago’s tallest. The Chicago Temple Building, also completed in 1924, surpassed it in height. The Metropolitan Tower, located at 310 S. Michigan Avenue, stands tall at 475 feet. It boasts 30 stories and a distinctive crown. This crown features a 40-foot pyramid, reminiscent of the Tomb of Mausolus. The pyramid, now covered in zinc-coated stainless steel, is topped with a 20-foot glass “beehive”. This beehive, illuminated by powerful lightbulbs, is a beacon in Chicago’s night sky. This unique feature has earned the Metropolitan Tower the nickname “Beehive Building”. Beneath the beehive, four carillon bells reside. Silent for years, they were restored in 1979 for Pope John Paul II’s visit. These bells once chimed the Cambridge Quarters. The Metropolitan Tower has undergone transformations over time. Its base has been altered, with rectangular windows replacing grand arches. The 30th floor once housed the Straus Tower Observatory, offering panoramic city views. The original bronze doors, set in a marble portal, have also been replaced. From 1980 to 2004, Encyclopædia Britannica called the Metropolitan Tower home, leading to its nickname, the Britannica Building. Before that, it was known as the Continental National Insurance Company Building, and later, Continental Center I. Today, the Metropolitan Tower has been repurposed. It now houses 242 condominium units, ranging from cozy one-bedrooms to expansive three-bedrooms. The building also houses a CVS, replacing a former Chase Bank branch. In 2009, this adaptation earned the Metropolitan Tower a “Best Adaptive Reuse” award from the Friends of Downtown. The Metropolitan Tower, steeped in history and architectural significance, stands as a testament to Chicago’s ever-evolving urban landscape.