Chase Tower (Chicago)

History

Before the building was constructed, the Morrison Hotel, on its former site, was demolished in 1965. The tower was developed as part of a broader initiative to modernize Chicago’s financial district in the post-war era and consolidate the operations of the First National Bank of Chicago into a contemporary headquarters complex. It first opened in 1969 as First National Plaza, serving as the headquarters of First Chicago Corporation and, at its completion, was among the tallest reinforced concrete buildings in the world.

In 1998, the building became the headquarters for Bank One Corporation and was accordingly renamed Bank One Tower. The current name dates from October 24, 2005, one year after Bank One merged with Chase. Chase’s retail bank division is based in the tower.

The tower’s lower levels historically included an on-site cafeteria and food court area commonly known as the Urban Market, which provided dining options for tenants and visitors. Over time, changes in security practices and office use patterns resulted in the cafeteria space being primarily available to building tenants and authorized guests rather than the general public, aligning access with internal building operations and credentialing.

For a time, from 2006 to 2022, the National Public Radio show Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! was taped on Thursday nights before a live audience at the Chase Auditorium beneath the plaza. In 2022, the show permanently moved to the Fine Arts Building.

On February 26, 2024, JPMorgan Chase unveiled major renovation plans for Chase Tower, marking the building’s first significant overhaul in more than two decades. In an official press release, the company described a transformation of the 850-foot, 60-story headquarters into a modern workplace with refreshed public and common spaces, updated dining and amenity areas, and improved infrastructure and building systems; the project is designed to support flexible and collaborative work and reinforce the firm’s long-term commitment to Chicago’s central business district. The renovation plans include enhancements to the outdoor plaza and public art access, a refreshed lobby and mezzanine, an updated food hall and collaboration areas, new fitness and wellness facilities, and upgraded office infrastructure. Work began in 2024 and continues as of writing (January 2026) with phased implementation of these improvements. JPMC partnered with a local firm, Gensler, to cary out the renovations.

Design and features

Design architects for the construction were C.F. Murphy Associates, Stanislaw Z. Gladych and Perkins and Will. Chase Tower is known for both its distinctive curving shape and its vibrant public space: a deep sunken plaza at the geographic center of the Chicago Loop, complete with a jet fountain and Marc Chagall's ceramic wall mural Four Seasons.

The ground floor is home to the largest Chase Bank branch in Chicago with 22 ATMs.

Position in Chicago's skyline

References

References

1. "Chase Tower - Chicago Architecture". Chicagoarchitecture.info.
2. "Skyscraper.org". Skyscraper.org.
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4. "Chase Tower, Chicago". A View on Cities.
5. "Emporis building ID chasetower-chicago-il-usa". [[Emporis]].
6. [http://www.jpmorganchase.com/corporate/About-JPMC/jpmorgan-history.htm JPMorgan History {{! The History of Our Firm]
7. "[http://www.exeloncorp.com/aboutus/terms/contact_us Contact Us] {{webarchive. link. (December 30, 2009 ." [[Exelon]]. Retrieved on December 5, 2009.)
8. "Chase Tower". Skyscraper.org.
9. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20010410213519/http://www.bankone.com/about/profile/contacts/ Contact Information]." [[Bank One Corporation]]. April 10, 2001. Retrieved on March 31, 2010.
10. "[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=110997427 Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!]." Retrieved on February 9, 2010.
11. (2022-05-13). "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! moves to Chicago's Studebaker Theater". NPR.
12. Kugler, Lukas. (2024-02-27). "JPMorgan Chase unveils major renovation of Chase Tower {{!}} Urbanize Chicago".