Chicago Cultural Center - People's Palace

Stop on Historic Chicago Loop Walking Tour, a free self-guided tour.

Walk north on Michigan Avenue to the Chicago Cultural Center, originally built as the Chicago Public Library in 1897. Architects Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge designed this magnificent Beaux-Arts building with neoclassical elements after the firm's success with the Art Institute. The building features the world's largest Tiffany stained glass dome in Preston Bradley Hall, stretching 38 feet in diameter with 30,000 pieces of glass. A second dome by Healy and Millet showcases Renaissance motifs. The grand marble staircases, ornate mosaics, and polished brass fixtures reflect the Victorian era's opulence. The building cost over 2 million dollars, an enormous sum in the 1890s, demonstrating Chicago's commitment to public education and culture after the fire. The library moved in 1991, and the building became a cultural center offering free exhibitions, concerts, and events. The Cultural Center embodies Chicago's belief that magnificent public buildings should serve everyone, not just elites. This people's palace provides a glimpse into Gilded Age grandeur while continuing its democratic mission today, welcoming visitors free of charge.