Why is the building called Water Tower Place?

The development takes its name from the historic stone water tower situated nearby that survived the Great Chicago Fire.

What facilities are located inside the skyscraper?

The tower includes an atrium shopping center, a Ritz-Carlton hotel, commercial office spaces, and private residential condominiums.

Who was the lead architect of the structure?

Modernist architect Edward D. Dart of Loebl Schlossman Bennett and Dart designed the building.

Where is the complex located in Chicago?

The building stands along the Magnificent Mile on North Michigan Avenue.

Chicago · United States

Water Tower Place: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Magnificent Mile residents treat the atrium complex as a vertical neighbourhood hub, where indoor shopping corridors provide shelter from lakefront winters but persistent retail turnover limits everyday conveniences.

Water Tower Place · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Now in the cityWater Tower Place+17°CClearupdated 07:46 AM Around here20

Exchange rate$1.00per 1 $USD — the local currencyas of Nov 2, 2026

Best monthSeptembermild weather

About the place

A landmark marble skyscraper defines the northern stretch of Michigan Avenue, combining residential living, hotel hospitality, and multi-level retail under one roof.

The complex stands on North Michigan Avenue as a major mixed-use development beside the historic Chicago Water Tower. Modernist architect Edward D. Dart designed the reinforced concrete tower faced in gray marble, integrating private condominiums, office space, the Ritz-Carlton hotel, and a prominent indoor atrium mall along the Magnificent Mile.

Read on

Developing the property shifted the commercial gravity of downtown northward from State Street, reshaping the Magnificent Mile into a multi-tier shopping corridor. Subsequent structural upgrades enclosed the street arcade, added curved glass bay windows, and installed choreographed water fountains within the multi-level retail atrium.

Recent economic shifts and anchor department store closures altered daily operations across the shopping complex. The transition prompted lender MetLife Investment Management to assume control of the property and initiate plans to downsize retail operations to lower levels while converting upper commercial floors into office suites.

Associations

Magnificent MileThe primary commercial avenue framing the development.
Edward D. DartChief modernist architect behind the marble-faced skyscraper.
Ritz-CarltonLuxury hospitality integrated directly within the main tower.
Retail VacanciesStore departures prompted plans to repurpose upper levels.

Facts

The skyscraper takes its name from the adjacent historic Chicago Water Tower.
Architect Edward D. Dart designed the tower using a reinforced concrete structure.
Urban Retail Properties developed the project and earned the J.C. Nichols Prize.
MetLife Investment Management took control of the site following retail vacancies.

Updated September 10, 2026Source: Wikipedia

Water Tower Place: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around20

A landmark marble skyscraper defines the northern stretch of Michigan Avenue, combining residential living, hotel hospitality, and multi-level retail under one roof.

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