Aqua Tower
Aqua Tower
4.5
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
How to get there
- Randolph/Wabash • 7 min walk
- State/Lake • 9 min walk
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4.5
70 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
29
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
CaptTrouble
Hudson, WI7,904 contributions
Sept 2019
My husband and I were on a long walk to the Art Institute and HAD to stop and photograph this building in the daytime. We had seen it in the evening on the Sunset Architecture Boat Cruise a couple of years ago, but now we could admire it from across the street.
Designed by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects, the balconies are designed to look like waves with no two alike. It opened in 2010 and is 859 feet high.
Designed by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects, the balconies are designed to look like waves with no two alike. It opened in 2010 and is 859 feet high.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irina
United States13,845 contributions
Sept 2018 • Solo
If you enter Lake Shore East Park from Millennium Park you'll see Aqua Tower - this architectural wonder - on the left side of the park, reflecting light with all its concrete slabs and glass, creating a visual effect of water running down its walls from the height of over 900 feet. Aqua Tower!
The building - designed in 2007 by architect Jeanne Gang with Studio Gang Architects - is a combination of offices, apartments, condos and a hotel; it was built in 2009, and since then has won many special Architects Awards, as well as admiration of people.
In the company of more conventional looking, residential high-rises an ultracool Aqua Tower definitely stands out, but its 'slim frame' and elongated proportions don't overpower the wonderful looks of the park.
The building - designed in 2007 by architect Jeanne Gang with Studio Gang Architects - is a combination of offices, apartments, condos and a hotel; it was built in 2009, and since then has won many special Architects Awards, as well as admiration of people.
In the company of more conventional looking, residential high-rises an ultracool Aqua Tower definitely stands out, but its 'slim frame' and elongated proportions don't overpower the wonderful looks of the park.
Written 15 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin S
Cranford, NJ1,691 contributions
Jun 2019
Aqua Tower is an award winning building that brought fame to the area called Lakeshore East.
It’s unique external look, one of waves, is so cool that you just can’t take your eyes off it - at least I can’t!
The waves are balconies and each is part of a unique floor design. They enable residents to be able to talk to others nearby! How cool is that!
Jeanne Gang established a worldwide reputation for her work as a result of this building and has gone on to design many other places in Chicago and around the world.
The Aqua Tower is part residential and part commercial with a Raddison Hotel as part of the Tower.
I simply love looking at this building!!
It’s unique external look, one of waves, is so cool that you just can’t take your eyes off it - at least I can’t!
The waves are balconies and each is part of a unique floor design. They enable residents to be able to talk to others nearby! How cool is that!
Jeanne Gang established a worldwide reputation for her work as a result of this building and has gone on to design many other places in Chicago and around the world.
The Aqua Tower is part residential and part commercial with a Raddison Hotel as part of the Tower.
I simply love looking at this building!!
Written 12 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb Y
Palm Harbor, FL9 contributions
My family is staying in Chicago for June & July and we got a corporate rental thru Suite Home Chicago. We have two young daughters (4&6). Aqua building has been FANTASTIC! The employees are amazing! The views from our apartment are beyond words. We have floor to ceilings windows thru the entire house. One side overlooks the lake .... The other overlooks the city & river. We are close to EVERYTHING!! The parks, the pier, shopping, the train and attached to the pedway. The building amenities are great too ... Business center, wonderful fitness center, 3 pools, 2 hot tubs, a game room, a movie room, a great 3rd floor outdoor space, a zen garden. My two favorites ... The espresso
Martini at Filinis & a mocha in the morning from Kristin at the Lavazza counter!
Martini at Filinis & a mocha in the morning from Kristin at the Lavazza counter!
Written 21 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamWard
Nottingham, UK5,691 contributions
Jul 2019
The Aqua Tower when you first see it looks kinder weird, but have a wander around two sides and see two sides and the curved exterior its looks really cool.
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ty M
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan56 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
If you're interested in history and architecture, come and see this building. Keeping everything in perspective, I knew to be several blocks away so I could see the building in it's full glory. It is quite a marvel, and not enough of this design is around, which makes it even more special.
Written 25 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TN-Traveler38017
Collierville, TN232 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
We rented a unit in the aqua towers for our few days stay in Chicago – what a great location! It is a unique building in and of itself, designed to appear as if water is running down its sides. Part of the reason for the design is to help prevent bird strikes (at least that is what we were told). The doormen were very friendly and the location was convenient to everything. Mariano’s grocery is close by, perfect place to buy supper and eat in your condo overlooking Lake Shore Drive, Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, and Millennium Park.
Written 2 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hexalite2k5
Sydney, Australia147 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
I searched for the Aqua Tower in Chicago because when I saw a pictures of it I was impressed with its unconventional design. Viewed from up close it was equally impressive. It looks different from distance compared to right underneath but I found it to be at its best when you are right near its base looking up. At that point you can clearly understand where the name comes from. Its irregular building blocks give the impression of waves or flowing water while patches of windows reflect the blue sky further emphasizing the watery effect. In addition I found it interesting to hear that it is, quoting Wikipedia, to be "the building is the tallest in the world to have a woman as lead architect". It's really worth a look, it's right in the center and it won't take long to enjoy it.
Written 12 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaptTrouble
Hudson, WI7,904 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
When this building is lighted at night, it has a distinct wavy or lumpy appearance. Really unusual. It has been called "architectural pornography" and many disapprove of building with fins (giving it the wavy surface). It really is something you need to see to believe, and is more interesting at night. It is the 9th tallest building in Chicago and was completed in 2009.
Written 28 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tshep42
Halifax, Canada4,168 contributions
If you're looking for interesting architecture, this building is a definite must-see. Check it out if you're in the neighbourhood.
The building houses the Radisson Blu Aqua hotel and condos that can be rented. We stayed at the Radisson which shares amenities with the condo folks and can attest that it is a great place to stay and an excellent location right in the heart of downtown and very close to many attractions.
The building houses the Radisson Blu Aqua hotel and condos that can be rented. We stayed at the Radisson which shares amenities with the condo folks and can attest that it is a great place to stay and an excellent location right in the heart of downtown and very close to many attractions.
Written 13 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this attraction open to the public to visit if your in Chicago? Or is it luxury apartments?
Written 3 December 2018
Besides luxury apartments and condos and offices, there's also the hotel Radisson Blu (Filini Restaurant there is one of the nicest places to dine in), a famous gourmet grocery store Mariano's, some shops, - all this is in Aqua Tower, and it is of course open to public. Aqua Tower itself - a fantastically attractive skyscraper - is located near all the main attractions downtown Chicago: Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile and many others. Enjoy your visit!
Written 3 December 2018
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