The Kemper Building

The Kemper Building, the world’s tallest marble-clad office building when it opened, remains among the city’s tallest skyscrapers. The tower's striking white exterior and strong vertical lines place it squarely within the city’s Modernist tradition. The Kemper Building originally featured a 360-degree public observation deck, including dramatic views of the Chicago River and other nearby buildings—though this attraction was closed within 10 years of opening. This 41st-floor observation deck was reopened for the first time in more than 40 years during Open House Chicago 2012.

Shaw, Metz & Associates, 1962