South Michigan Avenue Streetwall

From Randolph Street to 11th Street, Chicago

This famed 11-block-long wall of buildings facing Grant Park is now a protected local landmark district. It originally was proposed for landmark protection in 1976 but due to opposition from property owners it did not receive landmark designation from the Chicago City Council until 2002. Design guidelines for the district have been drafted with input from property owners and design professionals. Meanwhile, the City of Chicago has invested millions of dollars in the district for building rehabilitation incentives and new public infrastructure, including historic streetlamps. Millennium Park is across the street from the northern end of the district.

(credit: Antunovich Associates)

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