Chicago Board of Trade Building
At the foot of LaSalle Street's financial canyon, a three-story aluminum goddess of grain has crowned this 604-foot tower since 1930.
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Designed by Holabird & Root and finished in 1930, this 44-story Art Deco skyscraper held the title of Chicago's tallest building for 35 years. It anchors the south end of the LaSalle Street "canyon" and carries National Historic Landmark status earned in 1978 — recognition for both its architecture and its role as the site where global grain prices were set for over a century.
What to look for
- The Ceres statue at the very top — aluminum, three stories tall, depicting the Roman goddess of agriculture that caps the entire structure
- Large-scale stone carving covering the Art Deco facade, part of what earned it Chicago Landmark designation in 1977
- The LaSalle Street canyon itself: the building closes the southern end of the corridor, framing the view from street level
The exterior and street-level canyon view are freely accessible; the building operates as a commercial office and event space, so interior access is not guaranteed without a specific booking.
Chicago Board of Trade Building is one of 37 sights worth the detour in Chicago, all bundled offline in Voyage GO — download the Chicago pack and it sits on your map with no signal, filling your travel passport the moment you walk past.
More to see in Chicago
- Willis TowerIt held the world's tallest title for nearly 25 years after opening in 1973 — and the Skydeck is still the highest observation deck in the United States.
- Art Institute of ChicagoFour paintings you've seen your whole life — Nighthawks, La Grande Jatte, The Old Guitarist, American Gothic — hang in the same building.
- John Hancock Center (875 N Michigan Ave)A moving platform pivots you 30 degrees outward over the Magnificent Mile — 1,128 feet of nothing beneath your feet.
- Aon CenterWhen it opened in 1973 as "Big Stan," this 83-floor tower was the fourth-tallest building on Earth — and clad entirely in marble.
- United CenterThe Bulls hardwood floor is literally assembled over the Blackhawks ice and taken apart game by game — two teams, one frozen surface, shared by puzzle.
- Soldier FieldThe NFL's oldest stadium lost its National Historic Landmark status because of the renovation meant to save it.