Chicago Water Tower Tower

Address: 806 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

Website: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/historic-water-tower.html

Hours: Outdoor landmark: always accessible. City Gallery hours vary seasonally (check local listings).

Admission: Free (outdoor landmark). City Gallery exhibits free or donation-based entry; check local listings.

Chicago Water Tower is a Gothic Revival limestone water tower on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, completed in 1869. It was built as part of the city’s 19th-century waterworks system.

The tower stands around 154 feet tall and is a well-known symbol on the Magnificent Mile. It is frequently photographed and viewed from Michigan Avenue and nearby Oak Street and the Riverwalk.

Designed by William W. Boyington, the structure originally housed pumping equipment and formed part of the municipal water supply. It notably survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 while much of the surrounding area was destroyed.

The tower is located at the northern end of the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago, adjacent to the original pumping station and close to public transit and major shopping streets.

• Great Fire survival: One of the few central-city buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, making it an important historic landmark.
• Architect: Designed by architect William W. Boyington and completed in 1869 as part of the city’s waterworks.

What to See#

• Pumping Station: Built as a 19th-century water pumping structure adjacent to the tower and historically part of Chicago’s waterworks.
• Water Tower: A limestone Gothic Revival tower completed in 1869 and commonly cited at 154 feet tall, located on North Michigan Avenue at the Magnificent Mile.

The Water Tower sits on North Michigan Avenue at East Chicago Avenue (about 1.2 km north of Millennium Park). It’s a 10-15 minute walk from the Loop or a short ride on the CTA Red Line to the Chicago station (then walk east). Street parking is limited; public transit or walking is easiest.

• View the tower from the Michigan Avenue side in late afternoon; the limestone turns buttery and photo-friendly then.
• Combine a visit with the nearby Magnificent Mile - the tower sits just north of the Rush Street bridge, an easy walk from Millennium Park (about 1.2 km).
• If interested in the City Gallery (art exhibits inside the tower base), check current hours - the tower exterior is always viewable but gallery hours vary.
• Avoid the biggest shopping hours (weekend afternoons) if looking for an unobstructed photograph; early morning and weekday late afternoons are best.