Illinois is famous for a lot of things, and architecture is definitely one of them. It is not uncommon to see someone photographing a building around here because we have some of the coolest buildings in the world, designed by some of the most famous architects. For you all you architecture buffs, here are 20 pieces of architectural brilliance in Illinois.
- Willis Tower
gabe popa/Flickr We would be remiss if we didn’t start out with the granddaddy of them all. This building, with 108 floors, is a must-see.
- Farnsworth House
jalbertgagnier/Flickr Located in Plano, this modern architectural landmark was designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1951.
- Illinois State Capitol
David Wilson/Flickr The Illinois State Capitol is something to see, with a variety of styles including Greek Revival architecture, Renaissance Revival architecture, and Second Empire architecture.
- Robie House
David Arpi/Flickr Completed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1920, the Robie House is one of the most important buildings in American architecture history.
- Dana Thomas House
Patrick Emerson/Flickr Located in Springfield, the Dana Thomas House is an example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Prairie Style.”
- Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
Esther Westerveld/Flickr Perhaps the most famous architect of all time, you know he would do an amazing job with his own crib. It is located in Oak Park.
- Walter H. Gale House
stu_spivack/Flickr Located in Oak Park, this house was constructed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1893.
- Unity Temple
Teemu008/Flickr This was one of the first non-residential structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was built in 1908.
- Lake Point Tower
O Palsson/Flickr This distinctive residential tower was designed in 1968 by John Heinrich and George Schipporeit.
- Jamer R. Thompson Center
Roman Boed/Flickr This center was designed by architect Helmut Jahn, with art in the front done by Jean Dubuffet.
- Gar Hall
Patrick Emerson/Flickr Inside the Chicago Cultural Center, Gar Hall has a gorgeous design, and it is not surprising it is a popular place for people to tie the knot.
- Holy Name Cathedral
Teemu008/Flickr The Holy Name Cathedral is located in Chicago. It was designed by Patrick Keely in 1874.
- Bahá’í House of Worship
Salil Wadhavkar/Flickr Did you know that this is the only Bahá’í House of Worship in the United States?
- Marina City
Jeremy Keith/Flickr These corncob-like structures were designed by Bertrand Goldberg in 1964.
- Tribune Tower
Zen Skillicorn/Flickr This famous neo-Gothic building was constructed in 1925 as the result of a contest for the best design.
- Nauvoo Illinois Temple
Steve Moses/Flickr The Nauvoo Illinois Temple is the 113th dedicated temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- First Universalist Church
Teemu008/Flickr The First Universalist Church is in Elgin. It was built in 1892, and its design is inspired by a watchmaking company that opened the same year as the church.
- S.R. Crown Hall
Naotake Murayama/Flickr S.R. Crown Hall, at the Illinois Institute of Technology Campus, was done by the famous Mies van der Rohe.
- Mary W. Adams House
Teemu008/Flickr The Mary W. Adams House is in Highland Park, built in 1905 by Frank Lloyd Wright.
- Old Illinois State Capitol
fitzgene/Flickr This building (1837) was designed by John F. Rague in the Greek Revival style.
What’s your favorite piece of architecture in Illinois? Let us know in the comments–or, better yet, post a pic on the Only in Illinois Facebook page!
gabe popa/Flickr
We would be remiss if we didn’t start out with the granddaddy of them all. This building, with 108 floors, is a must-see.
jalbertgagnier/Flickr
Located in Plano, this modern architectural landmark was designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1951.
David Wilson/Flickr
The Illinois State Capitol is something to see, with a variety of styles including Greek Revival architecture, Renaissance Revival architecture, and Second Empire architecture.
David Arpi/Flickr
Completed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1920, the Robie House is one of the most important buildings in American architecture history.
Patrick Emerson/Flickr
Located in Springfield, the Dana Thomas House is an example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Prairie Style.”
Esther Westerveld/Flickr
Perhaps the most famous architect of all time, you know he would do an amazing job with his own crib. It is located in Oak Park.
stu_spivack/Flickr
Located in Oak Park, this house was constructed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1893.
Teemu008/Flickr
This was one of the first non-residential structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was built in 1908.
O Palsson/Flickr
This distinctive residential tower was designed in 1968 by John Heinrich and George Schipporeit.
Roman Boed/Flickr
This center was designed by architect Helmut Jahn, with art in the front done by Jean Dubuffet.
Inside the Chicago Cultural Center, Gar Hall has a gorgeous design, and it is not surprising it is a popular place for people to tie the knot.
The Holy Name Cathedral is located in Chicago. It was designed by Patrick Keely in 1874.
Salil Wadhavkar/Flickr
Did you know that this is the only Bahá’í House of Worship in the United States?
Jeremy Keith/Flickr
These corncob-like structures were designed by Bertrand Goldberg in 1964.
Zen Skillicorn/Flickr
This famous neo-Gothic building was constructed in 1925 as the result of a contest for the best design.
Steve Moses/Flickr
The Nauvoo Illinois Temple is the 113th dedicated temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The First Universalist Church is in Elgin. It was built in 1892, and its design is inspired by a watchmaking company that opened the same year as the church.
Naotake Murayama/Flickr
S.R. Crown Hall, at the Illinois Institute of Technology Campus, was done by the famous Mies van der Rohe.
The Mary W. Adams House is in Highland Park, built in 1905 by Frank Lloyd Wright.
fitzgene/Flickr
This building (1837) was designed by John F. Rague in the Greek Revival style.
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