Oakbrook Terrace

Did you know that Oakbrook Terrace was initially called Utopia? It’s true! Oakbrook Terrace is a small suburb of Chicago, covering just 1.8 square miles. The city is located just 17 miles from Chicago’s bustling loop. Oakbrook Terrace was founded in 1958 and was a mostly agricultural area before that. This quiet community was subdivided into lots in the post-war era, bringing growth to the area. Oakbrook Terrace was initially called Utopia, which was suggested by a postmaster. The naming of Oakbrook Terrace seems like a bit of a “what’s in a name” story. Utopia planned on getting a large shopping center. However, before it could materialize, neighboring Oak Brook annexed the shopping center and its commercial properties. To reflect its proximity to the now existing Oak Brook, a disappointed Utopia changed its name to Oakbrook Terrace in 1959. Oakbrook Terrace attempted to regain control of the land but was unsuccessful. Today, the city has grown in both residential and commercial areas, with the DuPage County’s tallest office building being built there in the 1980s. The 31-story office building is named the Oakbrook Terrace Tower and is an iconic building in the suburb. The city is now a thriving area with many commercial spaces and office buildings, offering a glimpse of suburban success and expansion.