What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: Baháʼí House of Worship
This building is the only Baháʼí House of Worship on the continent and one of only eight in the world.
What’s That Building?
Lots of Chicago-area buildings make you stop and ask: “What’s that building?” So, WBEZ’s Reset collects the stories behind them!
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: 860-880 Lake Shore Drive
The elegant simplicity of these residential towers designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe would be imitated several times — in Chicago and around the world.
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: Merchandise Mart
The massive structure mainly houses offices these days, but it was built by Marshall Field’s when the department store was growing in the 1920s.
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: 875 N. Michigan Ave. — the former John Hancock Center
The Xes on the sides of the tower help make this one of the most recognizable high-rises in downtown Chicago, but also serve a functional purpose.
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: Stadiums
Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, Guaranteed Rate Field and the United Center are a sign of Chicago’s strong sports fandom.
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: Baháʼí House of Worship
This building is the only Baháʼí House of Worship on the continent and one of only eight in the world.
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: Bungalows
These homes are as much an icon of Chicago architecture as the more imposing downtown buildings.
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: 860-880 Lake Shore Drive
The elegant simplicity of these residential towers designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe would be imitated several times — in Chicago and around the world.
![]()
What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: Merchandise Mart
The massive structure mainly houses offices these days, but it was built by Marshall Field’s when the department store was growing in the 1920s.
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: Chinatown Gate
The structure is the center of the neighborhood, with shops and restaurants radiating out from the intersection of Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road.
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What’s That Building? Chicago Icons: Wrigley Building
At 398 feet tall, the structure stands on the north bank of the Chicago River, gleaming white.
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What’s That Building? 15-19 S. Wabash Ave.
Now referred to simply by its address, the downtown structure’s long history includes several past names, including the S.A. Maxwell Co. store, the Jewelers’ Building and Iwan Ries building.
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What’s That Building? 600 W. Washington Blvd.
The West Loop address has powered cable cars and served as a union hall, but its future is now uncertain.
