350 North Orleans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 350 North Orleans |
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350 North Orleans sits at a juncture in the Chicago River known as Wolf Point. Among the buildings and structures shown are (left to right) Left Bank at K Station (300 North Canal), 333 North Canal, Kinzie Street railroad bridge, 350 North Orleans, Merchandise Mart, 300 North LaSalle, Franklin Street Bridge and part of 333 Wacker Drive.
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| General information | |
| Type | Mixed |
| Location | 350 North Orleans Street Chicago, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41°53′16″N 87°38′14″W / 41.887726°N 87.637263°W |
| Construction started | 1976 |
| Completed | 1977 |
| Opening | November 6, 1976 (Grand Opening January 22, 1977) |
| Owner | The Blackstone Group |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 24 |
| Floor area | 2,000,000 square feet (190,000 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Skidmore, Owings & Merrill |
350 North Orleans is a large, 24-story building in Chicago, Illinois. It is located where two parts of the Chicago River meet. The building was designed by a famous architecture firm called Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
This building was first built to be the world's biggest place for selling clothes to stores. It was known as the Apparel Mart or the Chicago Apparel Center. In 1988, a special enclosed bridge was added. This bridge connects the building to the Merchandise Mart, another large building nearby.
The land where the building stands was owned by the Kennedy family for over 50 years. The building itself was completed in 1976. The Kennedy family owned it for more than 20 years after it was built. Today, the building is owned by The Blackstone Group.
Building History
The 350 North Orleans building is very close to the Merchandise Mart. A covered walkway connects the two buildings. Sometimes, people refer to them together as the Merchandise Mart and Apparel Center. These buildings are part of a larger group called Chicago's Mart Center complex. This complex is also known as World Trade Center Chicago.
The land for the building was part of Chicago's first map, or plat, made in 1830. This area was called "Block 7" and part of "Block 6." It is located right where the Chicago River splits.
When 350 North Orleans was built, it was the largest wholesale buying center in the world. It had over 1,000 display rooms. These rooms showed more than 3,000 different clothing lines. Chicago wanted to become the world's fashion center. Before this, business people had to visit many different buildings in New York City to see so many clothing options.
The building opened on November 6, 1976. A big grand opening party was held on January 22, 1977. The entire Kennedy family attended this event. Chicago Mayor Michael Bilandic was also there. The celebration included a fashion show for 1,200 guests.
The Kennedy family sold the building in 1998. It was bought by Vornado Realty Trust. Later, in 2012, Shorenstein Realty Services bought the building. They then sold it to The Blackstone Group in 2015.
Wolf Point Connection
The Kennedy family kept ownership of a piece of land nearby called Wolf Point. This land is about 4 acres in size. It is located between the Apparel Center and the Chicago River.
Wolf Point is a very important historical spot in Chicago. It was one of the first places where people settled in Chicago in the early 1800s. There have been many plans to build on this land over the years. In 2007, the Kennedys planned to build three tall high-rise buildings there. These buildings were designed by the famous architect Cesar Pelli.
What's Inside Now
In 2012, the last clothing showrooms moved out of the building. Now, 350 North Orleans is used entirely for business offices. Many marketing companies and trading firms have offices there. Some of the largest companies include Brookfield Properties Retail Group and WPP plc.
Building Updates
When the building was first built, many floors did not have windows. They had concrete panels instead. In the mid-1990s, as more offices moved in, the owners started adding windows. The current owner has added windows to three full floors. They also replaced smaller windows with full-height windows on many other floors.
In 2018, the outside of the building was updated. Its original brown color was painted over, making it look much better. The building also added new spaces for the people who work there.
One new space is called the River Room. It is a special lounge area for tenants. It has great views of the Chicago River. It also has a conference area where people can hold meetings.
In May 2018, a fitness center called Studio350 opened. It is 10,000 square feet and is only for people who work in the building. It offers many classes like yoga and strength training. In May 2019, a roof deck also opened for tenants to enjoy.
See also
In Spanish: 350 North Orleans para niños
