The Windy City's Sky-High Status: How Many Skyscrapers Can Your Neck Handle?
Chicago. City of Broad Shoulders. Birthplace of Deep Dish Pizza (don't you dare come for me, New Yorkers). And, of course, a metropolis with a skyline that could make a cloud feel inadequate. But just how many steel and glass giants are we talking about here? Buckle up, architecture enthusiasts and curious cats, because we're about to dive into the fascinating world of Chicago's skyscraper count.
Skyscraper Smackdown: By the Numbers
Alright, alright, enough with the metaphors. You came for the nitty-gritty. So, how many skyscrapers does Chicago have? Hold onto your hats (or should we say hard hats?), because the Windy City boasts a whopping 1,397 completed high-rises! That's right, over a thousand buildings reaching for the sky. Now that's what I call a city with an ambition complex (in the best way possible, of course).
But wait, there's more! Among these giants, 56 rise majestically above 600 feet, making your average pigeon look like a nervous rookie. And the grand champion? The one, the only, the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), towering at a cool 1,451 feet! That's almost half a mile straight up!
Skyscraper Seek-and-Find: A Tale of Two Definitions
Now, you might be thinking, "Hold on a sec, 1,397? I don't remember my neck craning THAT much on my last visit." Well, there's a bit of a definitional debate in the world of skyscrapers. Some folks (like the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the arbiters of all things high-rise) consider a skyscraper to be a building that reaches at least 492 feet.
By that measure, Chicago has a respectable 137 skyscrapers. Still impressive, right? But for others, the skyscraper bar is set a little higher (like maybe with a view of a higher tax bracket). These folks might only consider buildings over 600 feet to be true skyscrapers.
In that case, Chicago's count dips down to a cool 56.
So, How Many Skyscrapers Does Chicago Really Have?
The answer, my friends, depends on who you ask and how loosey-goosey you are with the term "skyscraper." But no matter which definition you subscribe to, one thing's for sure: Chicago has a whole lotta tall buildings.
So next time you're in the Windy City, take a moment to appreciate the incredible skyline. Your neck might thank you (or maybe not, but hey, the view is worth it).
