Chicago’s architecture welcomes in the holiday season showing their cheer by transforming their buildings into the classic holiday red and green. Our recent snowfall has also played a role in making this month feel extra festive! The buildings along the river and also seen from our Skyline Cruise take on their own holiday glow and some of the best views are right on the water! Dress warm, grab a hot chocolate…if you’re of age, make it boozy with Bailey’s or Peppermint Schnapps and sit back while spotting these fun transformations during your next ride on the river with us during the holidays.
Wrigley Building
Built in 1924, The Wrigley Building was designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst and White, with a Spanish revival style. This Chicago favorite was partially inspired by the White City of the 1893 World’s Fair.
The white terra-cotta is accompanied by red and green up lighting which illuminates the facade during the month of December. Can be spotted on the main branch during your river tour.
Merchandise Mart
Sitting at Wolf Point, the art deco style building was built in 1930 by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White. When the building was completed as the Marshall Field’s wholesale warehouse, it was the largest building in the world, so large it had its own zip code.
Throughout December, the top of the building is lit with a horizontal stripe of holiday red and green. Can be spotted at Wolf Point during your river tour.
Tribune Tower
The Goettsch Partners built the French gothic revival style tower in 1925. Built as the winning design from a competition hosted by the owner of the Chicago Tribune, it is covered in pieces of stone and other building materials from architectural marvels and important buildings around the world.
During the holidays, red and green lighting warms the limestone exterior and the gothic crown on top of the building glows with the classic holiday red. Can be spotted on the main branch during your river tour.
Charles Summer Frost built the modernism style Navy Pier in 1916. The Pier was intended for freight vessels, passenger traffic, and indoor and outdoor recreation. In 1917 and 1918, it was used as barracks for WW1 recruits and housed regiments of soldiers, Red Cross workers and units for Home Defense. After WWII, the Pier became the campus for University of Illinois at Chicago.
During the holidays, the iconic Centennial Wheel is dressed with holiday attire at the center. Navy Pier’s Winter WonderFest has also made its return to the public! Filled with holiday decorations, rides for children of different ages, ice skating, and much more! Can be be spotted from the main branch closer to the lake side on your river tour.
Willis Tower
Bruce Graham and Dr. Fazlur Khan in 1990 built the Willis Tower, it falls under the style of black box modernism. Formally known as the Sears Tower, it stands as the tallest building in Chicago.
Throughout December, each of the antennas sitting at the top of the building are lit, one being red and the other lit green. Can be spotted from the South branch on your river tour or from your Skyline Lake Cruise.
John Hancock Center
Similar to the Willis Tower, Bruce Graham and Dr Fazlur Kahn built the John Hancock Center in 1969 also following the black box modernism style. This 54-story building stands safely on a 39-foot wide base known for its X-bracing and sleek black exterior.
During the holidays, the base of the buildings antennas are lit with red and green bands surrounding the building, easily viewed from our Skyline Lake and or Hot Chocolate Cruise.
Reid Murdoch Center
Built in 1914 by George C. Nimmons, the Reid Murdoch has a prairie style of architecture. Once used as offices and a grocery warehouse, it is one of the last remaining warehouse structures along the main branch of the river.
During the holidays, the Murdoch Center shines along the river with red and green lights beaming from below on each space between the windows to the clock on the main branch. Can be spotted on the main branch closest to Wolf Point on your river tour.
Spot these holiday landmarks from the water on your next evening tour with us!
