Richard J. Daley Center facts for kids
The Richard J. Daley Center, also known as Daley Plaza, is a famous building in Chicago, Illinois. It's named after Richard J. Daley, who was Chicago's mayor for a long time. This important building is a civic center, meaning it's a place where government business happens.
The Daley Center is a tall, modern skyscraper. It mainly holds offices and courtrooms for the Cook County Circuit Courts. It is right next to the Chicago City Hall and County Building.
Located on Randolph and Washington Streets, the Daley Center is a key part of Chicago's architecture. The main building was designed in the International Style by Jacques Brownson. It was finished in 1965. For four years, it was the tallest building in Chicago. The John Hancock Center later became taller.
The building was first called the Chicago Civic Center. It was renamed for Mayor Daley on December 27, 1976, shortly after he passed away. The building is 648-foot (198 m) tall and has 31 stories. It is made with a special steel called Cor-Ten. This steel is designed to rust on purpose, which actually makes the building stronger. This also gives the building its unique red and brown color.
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What's Inside the Daley Center?
The Richard J. Daley Center has more than 120 courtrooms. It also holds the Cook County Law Library. You can find offices for the Clerk of the Circuit Court here too. Some parts of the Sheriff's Department that work with the courts are also in this building. The Daley Center also has office space for both the city of Chicago and Cook County. Chicago is the main city in Cook County. The building's windows are made of Cor-Ten steel and have a bronze or white tint.
Daley Plaza: The Public Square
Daley Plaza is the open area right next to the building. It takes up the southern half of the block where the building stands.
A very famous sculpture by Pablo Picasso stands in the plaza. It is 50-foot (15 m) tall and made of the same Cor-ten steel as the building. People usually call it "The Picasso". Picasso gave this sculpture as a gift to Chicago in 1967. Even though some people found its abstract shape unusual at first, it quickly became a well-known Chicago landmark.
The plaza also has a fountain built into the ground. There is also an eternal flame memorial. This memorial honors those who died in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Daley Plaza is a busy place for many community events. In the summer, there are weekly farmers' markets. Different cultural festivals are also held here regularly. It's also a meeting spot for Chicago's Critical Mass bike rides.
The plaza has been featured in movies! It was used in the final scenes of the 1980 film The Blues Brothers. The inside of the building, the plaza, and the Picasso sculpture also appeared in the 1993 movie The Fugitive. For the movie The Dark Knight, director Christopher Nolan used the Richard J. Daley Center as the headquarters for Wayne Enterprises.
Buildings Nearby
Right next to the Richard J. Daley Plaza is the important Chicago City Hall. This building is a National Historic Landmark. It holds offices for the Mayor of Chicago and the city's aldermen. The Chicago City Council also has its meeting chambers here.
South of the Daley Center is the Cook County Administration Building. This building has many offices for County employees. To the east is Block 37, which includes 108 North State Street.
Images for kids
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Richard J. Daley Center is Chicago's premier civic center and features a massive sculpture by Pablo Picasso. The modernist center courthouse is behind the sculpture. To the left is City Hall-County Building
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A view of the plaza at night.
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June 8, 2006 Richard J. Daley Center behind Block 37 construction site and signage. (Also in background left to right: Chicago City Hall, Grant Thornton Tower & James R. Thompson Center)
