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Crain Communications Building facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Smurfit-Stone Building Chicago from Millennium Park
The Crain Communications Building in 2011, showing its unique diamond top.

The Crain Communications Building is a cool skyscraper located in Chicago, Illinois. It was built between 1983 and 1984. This building used to be known as the Smurfit-Stone Building and before that, the Stone Container Building. It stands tall at 582 feet (about 177 meters) and has 41 stories. Many people recognize it because of the special diamond shape at the very top.

Discovering the Crain Communications Building

The Crain Communications Building is a well-known part of the Chicago skyline. It's not one of the tallest buildings in the city, but its unique design makes it stand out.

How Tall Is It?

This skyscraper reaches a height of 582 feet, which is about as tall as 177 meters. Imagine stacking 41 regular floors on top of each other – that's how many stories this building has! It's a great example of modern architecture from the 1980s.

The Famous Diamond Top

The most eye-catching part of the Crain Communications Building is its diamond-shaped top. This special design isn't just for looks. Sometimes, at night, the diamond facade lights up with words! You might see fun messages like "GO BEARS" or "GO CUBS" cheering on Chicago's sports teams. It's like the building is talking to the city!

A Unique Vertical Slit

Another interesting design feature is a long, thin opening that runs from the ground all the way up the building's southeast corner. This vertical slit goes right through the diamond top, reaching the very highest point of the structure. It adds a distinctive look to the building's side.

Seen on the Big Screen

Like many famous buildings, the Crain Communications Building has made an appearance in movies! You can spot it in the 2011 film Transformers: Dark of the Moon. It's pretty cool to see a real-life building become part of a blockbuster movie scene.

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