CHICAGO | AON center | 1,136 FT / 346 M | 83 FLOORS | 1973

America 117 · #1 Posted **Jul 27, 2008, 9:08 PM**

built in 1973 AON center was once the tallset building in chicago.
it is the 4th tallest in the US and 16th tallest in the world.
the buildings facade is made of mount airy white granite.
it was once made of marble but was refaced for about $80 million dollers which was over half the cost of the building itself. the old marble was crushed and used for landscaping.

those facts are from: Aon Center (Chicago) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

this pic is from www.skyscraperpicture.com/aoncenter.htm

America 117 · #2 Posted **Jul 27, 2008, 11:02 PM**

more pics from: www.skyscraperpicture.com/aoncenter.htm

Marcu · #3 Posted **Jul 27, 2008, 11:05 PM**

Seems like people on this board seem to have a fascination with this building, but from my experience an average person on the street really doesn't think too much of it. Bland and tall, and that's about it.

Alliance · #4 Posted **Jul 28, 2008, 12:03 AM**

..but, it really understands verticality. Not the world's greatest building, yet still underappreciated for its simple and monolithic beauty

munda · #5 Posted **Jul 28, 2008, 5:58 PM**

Didnt this building had/has on some floors Tiffany Ceiling?

Buckeye Native 001 · #6 Posted **Jul 28, 2008, 7:13 PM**

I like it, but I also like box monoliths like the AON Center in LA as well.

America 117 · #7 Posted **Jul 29, 2008, 2:55 AM**

it looks like the world trade centers long lost twin!

STERNyc · #8 Posted **Jul 29, 2008, 3:02 AM**

Maybe someone from Chicago can help me...

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the building originally proposed with a pyramid top??

I seem to remember that the pyramid top was scratched in order to allow Sears to become the world's tallest building??

And lastly I seem to remember seeing a rendering of the original design, pyramid topped design. If so I'd love to see it posted.

Is any of this true, or am I just imagining things?

America 117 · #9 Posted **Jul 29, 2008, 3:22 AM**

^^^
yes it did have that. but i couldent find any pics.
sorry.

plinko · #10 Posted **Jul 29, 2008, 3:35 AM**

Unapologetically brutal!

staff · #11 Posted **Jul 29, 2008, 5:07 AM**

Love this shot!

Don't love the building though...

davefyvie · #12 Posted **Jul 29, 2008, 2:03 PM**

My Dad worked here in the 70's for amoco and so this building has always had a special place in my heart.. Cold, Stoic, Brutal, Beautiful.

X-fib2 · #13 Posted **Jul 29, 2008, 2:59 PM**

I have to admit I never cared much for AON ("Big Stan") when it was being built. Since, I have mellowed somewhat and AON has been redeemed even if only for the impact its great size and contrasting light color make on the Chicago skyline. If it were half its height it would have been lost and forgotten in mediocrity. The functionless stone cladding emphasizes vertical line but at the expense of the underlying structure, which done right sans cladding, might have been a more interesting design. It just could have been so much more.

(Yes, its me X-fib. Not my first post by far, had to re-register due to e-mail domain issues).