The John Hancock Center is a 100-story, multi-use building, recognized around the world for its distinctive architecture, prestigious location and presence on Chicago’s skyline.  When completed in 1969, it was the tallest building in the world outside New York City.  It is the third-tallest skyscraper in Chicago and the fifth-tallest in the United States, after the Sears Tower, the Empire State Building, the Bank of America Tower and the Aon Center.  When measured to the top of its antenna masts, it stands at 1,500 feet (457 m). The building is home to offices and restaurants, as well as about 700 condominiums and contains the highest residences in the world.  The Observatory is situated on the 94th floor and offers breath-taking views of both the city of Chicago and Lake Michigan.  It is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions.

Some interesting facts

At the peak of construction, more than 2,000 people worked on the project; some five million man-hours were required to complete the development.

• Enough steel to make 33,000 cars was used to make the frame, which took three years to complete and weighs 46,000 tons.
• Its four corner columns weigh up to 100 tons each.
• The building’s 1,250 miles of wiring carries enough power to supply a city of 30,000 people.
• There’s enough aluminum in the building to cover 12 football fields.
• Its 11,459 extra-thick, bronze windows contain enough glass to produce a single, 5ft sheet 13 miles long.
• Because of John Hancock Center’s lakeside location, caissons had to be sunk into 10ft holes drilled 190ft into bedrock.
• The unusual design required innovative construction methods, including the use of “creeper cranes,” previously used only in bridge construction, to hoist steel beams into place.
• Prefabrication of the immense corner joints meant construction proceeded at a rapid pace - up to three floors a week.

In June of this year, TZO partnered with the John Hancock Observatory to rebrand and create new signage surrounding the building.  The existing signage had been in place for 15 years and was looking much the worse for wear.  Also, people would often circle the building unsure about how access the Observatory Lobby.  TZO was tasked to create new signage employing the updated Observatory brand.  This has been quite a process and has been quite a logistical challenge.  The job is now complete and the John Hancock Observatory has directional signage worthy of a building of its stature.

Hamish McDonald

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