Civic Opera Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Civic Opera Building |
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rear facade
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Architectural style | art deco |
| Address | 20 North Wacker Drive |
| Construction started | 1927 |
| Completed | 1929 |
| Cost | $23,385,000 |
| Height | 555' |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 45 |
The Civic Opera Building is a very tall office building in Chicago, Illinois. It stands at 20 North Wacker Drive. This amazing building opened on November 4, 1929. It has a special design style called Art Deco.
Inside the building, there is a huge opera house called the Civic Opera House. It can seat 3,563 people! This makes it the second-largest opera hall in all of North America. Today, the Civic Opera House is the main home for the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
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What is the Civic Opera Building?
The Civic Opera Building is a famous landmark in Chicago. It is 45 stories high, which means it has many floors. When it was built, it was one of the tallest buildings around. It was designed to look like a giant throne, with the opera house as the "seat." This unique design makes it stand out in the city's skyline.
A Home for Music: The Opera House
The most special part of the Civic Opera Building is its opera house. An opera house is a theater where people perform operas. Operas are plays where the story is told mostly through singing. The Civic Opera House is very large and beautiful. It has hosted many famous singers and performances over the years.
The Lyric Opera of Chicago
Since 1954, the Lyric Opera of Chicago has called the Civic Opera House its home. The Lyric Opera is one of the most important opera companies in the world. They perform many different operas each year. People come from all over to watch their shows in this grand building.
The Art Deco Style
The Civic Opera Building is a great example of Art Deco architecture. Art Deco was a popular design style in the 1920s and 1930s. It uses bold geometric shapes, rich colors, and fancy decorations. Buildings in this style often look very grand and modern for their time.
Key Features of Art Deco
Art Deco buildings often have:
- Straight lines and sharp angles
- Patterns that repeat
- Shiny materials like chrome and glass
- Decorations inspired by ancient cultures or machines
The Civic Opera Building shows these features in its design. Look closely at its outside and inside to see the Art Deco style.
History of the Building
Construction on the Civic Opera Building started in 1927. It was finished just two years later, in 1929. This was a time when many tall buildings were being built in big cities like Chicago. The building cost a lot of money to build, about $23 million. That was a huge amount back then!
Why Was It Built?
The building was created by Samuel Insull, a powerful businessman. He wanted a grand home for the Chicago Civic Opera. He also wanted a large office tower to go with it. The building was a symbol of Chicago's growth and importance in the early 20th century.
Location in Chicago
The Civic Opera Building is located right in the heart of downtown Chicago. It is near the Chicago River and other famous buildings. Its address is 20 North Wacker Drive. This area is a busy part of the city, full of businesses and cultural places.
