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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.
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.
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.
Great building! Take the FLW tour to learn all the details and history. They are amazing! I don't wanna spoil it. Just go!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Building is gorgeous and such a hidden gem. Take the CAC tour to see the library and go up the stairs.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
7 months ago
4 months ago
8 months ago
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
2 years ago
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
2 years ago
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
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
1 year ago
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
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
3 years ago
Building is gorgeous and such a hidden gem. Take the CAC tour to see the library and go up the stairs. read more
7 years ago
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
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
8 years ago
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
3 years ago
8 years ago
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
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
9 years ago
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
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
15 years ago
Frank Lloyd Wright. Free. Downtown Chicago. Free. Historic Landmark. Free. Impressive degree of detail from the tourguides. Free. read more
9 years ago
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
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
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
18 years ago
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 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
8 years ago
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
15 years ago
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
15 years ago
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More info about The Rookery Building
209 S LaSalle St
Chicago, IL 60604
The Loop
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(312) 994-4000
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https://www.therookerybuilding.com
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Ask the Community - The Rookery Building
Is the public allowed to casually walk around and view the interior at their leisure?
Yes. The public is allowed in the building. During regular business hours you can go on the upper floors, at the end of the day they section those off for staff only. But you can always go in and walk around the ground floor.
