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'{{Short description|Modern supertall skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois}} {{distinguish|Aon Center (Los Angeles)}} {{Use American English|date=January 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox building | name = Aon Center | status = Completed | architectural_style = [[Modern architecture|Modern]] | image = File:Aon Center in Chicago May 2016.jpg | image_size = 230px | caption = The Aon Center, designed by Edward Durell Stone | location = 200 E. [[Randolph Street (Chicago)|Randolph St.]]<br />[[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] 60601<br />[[United States]] | coordinates = {{coord|41|53|07|N|87|37|17|W|region:US-IL|display=inline,title}} | start_date = 1970 | architect = [[Edward Durell Stone]]<ref name=skyscraperCenter/> | owner = [[Mark Karasick]]<br>Victor Gerstein<ref name="Owners">{{cite news |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2018/06/j-p-morgan-brookfield-provide-678m-financing-package-for-chicagos-aon-building/ |title=J.P. Morgan, Brookfield Provide $678M Financing Package for Chicago's Aon Center |journal=Commercial Observer |date=June 8, 2018 |first1=Cathy |last1=Cunningham |first2=Matt |last2=Grossman}}</ref> | cost = {{US$|link=yes}}120 million | floor_area = {{convert|3,599,968|sqft|m2|0|abbr=on|disp=flip}}<ref name=skyscraperCenter/> | top_floor = {{convert|328|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=skyscraperCenter/> | floor_count = 83 above ground<ref name=skyscraperCenter>{{cite web|url=http://skyscrapercenter.com/chicago/aon-center/ |title=The Skyscraper Center: Aon Center |website=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808052100/http://skyscrapercenter.com/chicago/aon-center/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref><br />5 below ground | references = <ref name=skyscraperCenter/> | map_type = Chicago#Illinois#USA | building_type = Office | architectural = {{convert|346.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=skyscraperCenter/> | tip = {{convert|362.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=skyscraperCenter/> | elevator_count = 50, made by the [[Otis Elevator Company]] | main_contractor = [[Turner Construction]]<ref name=skyscraperCenter/> | opening = 1973 | developer = [[Standard Oil of Indiana]] }} The '''Aon Center''' (200 East [[Randolph Street (Chicago)|Randolph Street]], formerly '''Amoco Building''')<ref>{{cite news| url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F968E80C195CF74&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2| title=New owner expected for Aon Center| access-date=September 18, 2008| date=February 21, 2003|via=Newsbank| newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]| last=Roeder| first=David}}</ref> is a modern supertall skyscraper in the [[Chicago Loop]], [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], United States, designed by architect firms [[Edward Durell Stone]] and The [[Perkins and Will]] partnership, and completed in 1974<ref>{{cite book| title=The Sky's the Limit: A Century of Chicago Skyscrapers| page=[https://archive.org/details/skyslimitcentury0000unse/page/219 219]| location=New York| publisher=Rizzoli| year=1990| editor-last=Saliga| editor-first=Pauline| isbn=978-0847811793| url=https://archive.org/details/skyslimitcentury0000unse/page/219}}</ref> as the '''Standard Oil Building!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'''.<ref name="emporis">{{cite web| website=Emporis| title=Aon Center, Chicago| url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=aoncenter-chicago-il-usa| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207041041/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=aoncenter-chicago-il-usa| url-status=dead| archive-date=December 7, 2006| access-date=April 23, 2008}}</ref> With 83 floors and a height of 1,136&nbsp;feet (346&nbsp;m), it is the [[List of tallest buildings in Chicago|fourth-tallest building in Chicago]],<ref name=skyscraperCenter/> surpassed in height by [[Willis Tower]], [[Trump International Hotel and Tower (Chicago)|Trump International Hotel and Tower]], and [[Vista Tower (Chicago)|St Regis Chicago]]. The building is managed by [[Jones Lang LaSalle]], which is also headquartered in the building. Aon Center also houses the headquarters of [[Aon plc|Aon]] and one of [[Kraft Heinz]]'s two headquarters (the other being in [[Pittsburgh]]), and the former world headquarters of [[Amoco]] prior to its acquisition by [[BP]].<ref>{{cite news |first1=Nathalie |last1=Tadena |first2=Jason |last2=Dean |first3=Leslie |last3=Scism |date=January 14, 2012 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204542404577158633936346056 |access-date=January 20, 2020 |title=Aon Shifts Headquarters to London |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831134316/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204542404577158633936346056 |archive-date=August 31, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/19980212072931/http://www.amoco.com/contacts/index.html Contacts]". [[Amoco]]. February 12, 1998. Retrieved on March 31, 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Kraft Heinz eliminated another 1,000 jobs in 2016| url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-kraft-heinz-job-cuts-20170223-story.html| first=Lisa| last=Du| date=February 23, 2017| newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]| agency=[[Bloomberg News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Kraft Heinz preps HQ move into Chicago|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2015/07/16/kraft-heinz-preps-hq-move-into-chicago.html| date=July 15, 2015| newspaper=[[American City Business Journals|Chicago Business Journal]]| access-date=January 20, 2020}}</ref> The building was briefly the tallest in Chicago, but was soon surpassed by the [[Willis Tower|Sears Tower]] (now known as the Willis Tower). However, the Aon Building was the fourth-tallest completed building in the world at the time of its completion. ==History== ===Construction=== The Standard Oil Building was constructed as the headquarters of the [[Amoco|Standard Oil Company of Indiana]], which had previously been housed at South Michigan Avenue and East 9th Street. When it was completed in 1973, it was the tallest completed building in Chicago and the fourth-tallest in the world, earning it the nickname "Big Stan".<ref name="gss">{{cite web| website=Glass Steel and Stone| title=Aon Center| url=http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/625.php| access-date=September 25, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826091210/http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/625.php| archive-date=August 26, 2007| url-status=live}}</ref> In 1974, the taller Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) in Chicago surpassed it as the tallest completed building in Chicago (the Sears Tower was also the tallest in the world). However, the Sears Tower had already been [[topped out]] in May 1973.<ref name="SearsTopping"/><ref name="archiseek"/> When the Aon Center opened as the fourth-tallest completed building in the world, it was only exceeded in height by the twin towers of the original [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] and the [[Empire State Building]] in [[New York City]].<ref name="SearsTopping">{{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Bryce |title=Sears 'Topping Out' Puts Chicago On Top |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/265469018/ |website=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 9, 2022 |language=en |date=May 7, 1973}}</ref> Originally clad in [[marble]], the Aon Center was also the tallest marble-clad building in the world.<ref name="archiseek">{{cite web |title=1973 – Aon Center, Chicago, Illinois |url=https://www.archiseek.com/2009/1973-aon-center-chicago-illinois/ |website=Archiseek - Irish Architecture |access-date=October 9, 2022 |date=September 20, 2009}}</ref> The building employs a tubular steel-framed structural system with V-shaped perimeter columns to resist [[earthquakes]], reduce sway, minimize column bending, and maximize column-free space. This construction method was also used for the original World Trade Center twin towers in [[New York City]]. ===Refacing=== When completed, it was the world's tallest [[marble]]-clad building, sheathed entirely with 43,000 slabs of Italian [[Carrara marble]]. The marble used was thinner than previously attempted in cladding a building, which soon proved to be a mistake. On December 25, 1973, during construction a 350-pound marble slab detached from the façade and penetrated the roof of the nearby [[One Prudential Plaza|Prudential Center]].<ref>Chicago Tribune, December 26, 1973</ref> In 1985, inspection found numerous cracks and bowing in the marble cladding of the building. To alleviate the problem, stainless steel straps were added to hold the marble in place.<ref name="gss" /> Later, from 1990 to 1992, the entire building was refaced with [[Mount Airy, North Carolina|Mount Airy]] white [[granite]] at an estimated cost of over $80 million.<ref name="emporis" /><ref name="globe">{{cite news |last=McMillan |first=Greg |publication-date=June 12, 2007 |title=Two buildings, two cities, one problem |periodical=[[The Globe and Mail]] |publication-place=Toronto |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/two-buildings-two-cities-one-problem/article17996906/ |access-date=September 25, 2007}}</ref> Amoco was reluctant to divulge the actual amount, but it was well over half the original price of the building, without adjustment for inflation. Two-thirds of the discarded marble was crushed and used as landscaping decoration at Amoco's refinery in [[Whiting, Indiana]], one-sixth was donated to [[Governors State University]], in [[University Park, Illinois|University Park]], and one-sixth donated to Regalo, a division of Lashcon Inc. Under a grant from the Illinois Department of Rehabilitative Services, Regalo's 25 handicapped workers carved the discarded marble into a variety of specialty items such as corporate gifts and mementos including desk clocks and pen holders.<ref name="emporis" /><ref name="UIC OSWM">{{cite web |url=http://www.p2pays.org/ref/24/23685.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.p2pays.org/ref/24/23685.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |title=Construction and Demolition Waste: Generation, Regulation, Practices, Processing, and Policies |first1=Stephen D. |last1=Cosper |author2=William H. Hallenbeck |author3=Gary R. Brenniman |date=January 1993 |publisher=University of Illinois at Chicago, Office of Solid Waste Management |access-date=March 26, 2010 | page=31}}</ref> The building's facade somewhat resembles that of the North and South tower of the former [[World Trade Center (1973-2001)|World Trade Center]] Complex due to the upward flow of the columns. ===Designation=== The Standard Oil Building was renamed the Amoco Building when the company changed names in 1985. In 1998, Amoco sold the building to [[The Blackstone Group]] for an undisclosed amount, estimated to be between $430 and $440 million.<ref name="emporis" /><ref name="gss" /> It was renamed as the Aon Center on December 30, 1999, although the [[Aon Corporation]] would not become the building's primary tenant until September 2001.<ref>{{cite web| title=AON Center Chicago: Skyscraper Architecture| url=https://www.e-architect.co.uk/chicago/aon-center| first=David| last=McManus| date=July 12, 2018| website=e-Architect| access-date=January 20, 2020}}</ref> In May 2003, Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. acquired the building for between $465 and $475 million.<ref name="emporis" /><ref>{{cite web |website=Miller Cicero, LLC |title=Trophy Building Sale Sets New Record |date=October 7, 2003 |url=http://www.millercicero.com/press/files-view.php?ViewNode=1066154585cVxrI |access-date=September 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518025208/http://www.millercicero.com/press/files-view.php?ViewNode=1066154585cVxrI |archive-date=May 18, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On August 10, 2007, Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. changed its name to Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc.)<ref>{{cite web |website=Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. |title=Wells REIT Changes Name to Piedmont Office Realty Trust |url=http://www.piedmontreit.com/cms/content/view/139/63 |access-date=August 10, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610020230/http://www.piedmontreit.com/cms/content/view/139/63 |archive-date=June 10, 2008}}</ref> Real estate investors Mark Karasick and Victor Gerstein acquired the building from Piedmont in 2015 for $713 million.<ref name="Owners"/> ===Planned observation deck=== On May 14, 2018, the building's owners unveiled $185 million proposal for an observatory featuring a thrill ride on the roof called the Sky Summit, the world's tallest exterior elevator, and new entrance pavilion. The observatory was supposed to be completed in 2022, but the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] has delayed construction plans by about a year.<ref>{{cite news| title=Aon Center's planned observation deck, Chicago's third, could create competition for tourist dollars| url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-chicago-observation-decks-20180511-story.html| first1=Ally| last1=Marotti| first2=Blair| last2=Kamin| date=May 15, 2018| newspaper=Chicago Tribune| access-date=January 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Construction halted for Aon Center observatory in Chicago due to coronavirus pandemic|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2020/06/29/coronavirus-construction-halted-aon-center-observatory-chicago/3277266001/|access-date=November 28, 2020|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref> ==Exterior lighting== In recent years, the top floors of the building have been lit at night with colors to reflect a particular season or holiday. Orange is used for [[Thanksgiving]], green or red for Christmas, and pink during [[Breast Cancer Awareness Month]]. The lighting commonly matches the nighttime lighting on the [[Antenna (radio)|antenna]] of Willis Tower, the [[John Hancock Center]] and the upper floors of the [[Merchandise Mart]]. ==Plaza== In the plaza, there is a sounding sculpture by [[Harry Bertoia]]. ==Position in Chicago's skyline== {{Chicago skyline}} ==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed" heights="200"> File:Aon Center in Chicago May 2016.jpg|From the south File:20220525 Lakeshore East from Cascade.jpg|From the east File:Aon center.JPG|From the southwest File:2004-07-14 1880x2820 chicago aon looking up.jpg|Looking up the building from the ground File:Skyscrapers in Chicago, including the AON Center, Chicago, IL 11-22-15.jpg|Looking from the North, with [[Aqua (skyscraper)|Aqua]] visible </gallery> ==See also== {{Portal|Chicago|Illinois}} * [[Aon Center (Los Angeles)]] * [[First Canadian Place]] – a similar building from the same architect * [[List of buildings]] * [[List of skyscrapers]] * [[List of tallest buildings and structures in the world]] * [[List of tallest buildings in Chicago]] * [[List of tallest buildings in the United States]] * [[List of tallest freestanding structures in the world]] * [[List of tallest freestanding steel structures]] == References == {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{commons category|Aon Center}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20140808052100/http://skyscrapercenter.com/chicago/aon-center/ Aon Center] on [[CTBUH]] Skyscraper Center * [http://www.buzzfile.com/Lists/Companies-located-at-200-E-Randolph-St,-Chicago,-IL,-60601 List of tenants at the Aon Center] - Companies located at 200 East Randolph Street, Chicago IL {{s-start}} {{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[John Hancock Center]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of tallest buildings in Chicago|Tallest building in Chicago]]|years=1972–1973<br /><small>1,136&nbsp;ft</small>}} {{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Willis Tower]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-ttl|title=Tallest building in the United States outside of New York City|years=1972–1973<br /><small>1,136&nbsp;ft</small>}} {{s-end}} {{Chicago Loop}} {{Supertall skyscrapers | current}} {{Chicago Skyscrapers}} {{Chicago}} {{BP}} {{Buildings in Chicago timeline}} [[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Chicago]] [[Category:Insurance company headquarters in the United States]] [[Category:Amoco]] [[Category:BP buildings and structures]] [[Category:Office buildings completed in 1973]] [[Category:Edward Durell Stone buildings]] [[Category:JLL (company)]] [[Category:International style architecture in Illinois]] [[Category:Modernist architecture in Illinois]] [[Category:1973 establishments in Illinois]]'