One Illinois Center, Chicago

One Illinois Center, also known as 111 East Wacker, stands as a significant testament to Mies van der Rohe's architectural legacy. Completed in 1967, this skyscraper was the first building erected on the site of a former rail yard that had once housed Fort Dearborn. Mies van der Rohe’s design embodies the principles of International Style architecture, reflecting his refined approach and the ideas he carried from Germany before World War II.

The building’s design is a classic example of Mies’s commitment to the principles of International Style. It emphasizes volume through the use of thin planes of glass that enclose space, moving away from the traditional solid mass of brick or stone. The façade, rather than featuring a central opening or traditional symmetry, showcases a regular rhythm of columns that create a distinct and regular appearance. The aesthetic appeal of 111 East Wacker lies not in applied ornamentation but in the elegance of its materials and the technical perfection with which they are assembled.

The building’s sleek and minimalist form celebrates industrial materials in a way that aligns with its historical context. Situated on a site once dedicated to industry, the structure’s use of glass and steel highlights Mies’s ability to elevate basic construction into a form of high art. The careful detailing and proportional elegance of the design make One Illinois Center a notable example of Mid-Century Modern architecture, marking a significant moment in the evolution of skyscraper design.