The Not-So-Standard Story of the Standard Oil Building (Spoiler Alert: It's Really Tall)
Ah, Chicago. City of wind, deep dish pizza, and...skyscrapers that scrape the clouds (almost literally). But today, we're setting our sights on one particular giant in the Windy City skyline: the formerly Standard Oil Building.
From Humble Beginnings (Well, Not That Humble)
You might be thinking, "Standard Oil Building? Sounds a bit...generic." Well, you're not wrong. But hey, there's a certain charm in not being fancy. Except, this building wasn't exactly your average gas station convenience store. This bad boy was built in the 1970s to be the headquarters for the mighty Standard Oil Company (think oil magnates and Rockefeller riches).
How Big Are We Talking Here? Really, Really Big.
So, how tall is this titan of industry? Buckle up, because we're about to enter brag-worthy territory. The Standard Oil Building, now known as the Aon Center (apparently, standard just wasn't cool enough anymore), stands at a whopping 1,136 feet (346 meters). That's taller than 33 football fields, stacked end to end (and let's be honest, that's a lot of football).
Fun Fact: When it was completed in 1972, the Standard Oil Building was the tallest marble-clad building in the world. Because, you know, what says "oil company" better than fancy Italian stone?
But Wait, There's More! (Because Chicago Has a Lot of Tall Buildings)
Now, here's the thing about Chicago: it loves its skyscrapers. The Aon Center might have been king of the hill back in the day, but times have changed. Today, it holds the respectable title of fourth tallest building in Chicago. Yes, you read that right. There are three other giants out there casting even longer shadows.
Moral of the story: Don't get too attached to the title of "tallest building." Chicago is a competitive place, even for skyscrapers.
So, Why Should You Care About the Aon Center?
Honestly, you probably don't need to lose sleep over the Aon Center's exact height. But hey, it's a pretty cool building! It's got a storied past, a bit of an identity crisis (Standard Oil to Amoco to Aon, anyone?), and it provides some seriously stunning views of the city (if you can snag a spot on the observation deck, that is).
So, there you have it. The not-so-standard story of the Standard Oil Building, a Chicago skyscraper with a not-so-standard past. And hey, next time you're admiring the Windy City skyline, you can impress your friends with your newfound knowledge of this architectural giant (or at least confuse them with talk of 33 football fields).
