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Crain Communications Building
Crain Communications Building
Crain Communications Building
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The Crain Communications Building is a 39-story, 582 foot (177 m) skyscraper located at 150 North Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, Illinois.[1] Also (previously) known as the Smurfit–Stone Building and the Stone Container Building, it was originally going to be named "One Park Place" before it opened as the Associates Center, named after the initial tenant of the building, the Associates Commercial Corp.[2]

Key Information

Construction of the building began in 1982 and was completed in 1984. The building, noted for its uncommon slanted top facade, was designed by Sheldon Schlegman of A. Epstein and Sons. It has 39 floors of tenant space and the two spires at the top cover the main roof and serve as mechanical rooms for HVAC equipment.

History

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Crain Communications Building
Crain Communications Building at the northwest corner of Grant Park

Although the building looks as though it is split down the middle, the two sides are only slightly disjointed all the way to the top, where there is a gap between them. At times, its flat but slanted and "cut" roof—which has been likened to a skyscraper pared with a knife—displays local sports slogans on its face, such as "GO BEARS" and "GO SOX".[3][4] It also displayed "VOTE 2008" during the 2008 election day rally at Grant Park.[3]

At the time of its construction, the Associates Center was considered to be a smart building, with sophisticated environmental and security controls. Three years after its completion, the building played a role in the Touchstone Pictures film Adventures in Babysitting. It was also the location of Patrovita's office in the 1986 film Raw Deal. The building is also modeled in EA's SimCity 4, as well as being destroyed in the film Transformers: Dark of the Moon and in the videogame Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2. The building name was changed to the Crain Communications Building in March 2012, after Crain Communications moved its headquarters there.[5]

It is popularly referred to as the Diamond Building or the Vagina Building (from the locally popular but apocryphal story that, with its prominent vertical slit up the front, the building was designed to be a yonic counter to the phallic nature of most skyscrapers).[6]

Tenants

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See also

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References

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Crain Communications Building

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Crain Communications Building is a 41-story skyscraper located at 150 North Avenue on the northwest corner of Avenue and Randolph Street in downtown , . Completed in 1984, it rises 582 feet (177 meters) to its roof and features a distinctive slanted facade on the upper levels, including a southeast corner canted at 45 degrees to optimize panoramic views of and the city skyline. The building's modern design incorporates a curtain wall system of white aluminum panels, accents, and silver reflective , enclosing approximately 710,000 square feet of leasable across its floors. Originally constructed as the Associates Center by New York-based developer Collins, Tuttle & Company, the structure was designed and engineered by the Chicago firm A. Epstein and Sons International, with Sheldon Schlegman leading the architectural team. It later housed the Stone Container Corporation (renaming it the Stone Container Building) and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (as the Smurfit-Stone Building) before it was renamed the Crain Communications Building in 2012 when Crain Communications Inc., a major business media company, became an anchor tenant, occupying significant space there from 2012 until relocating to the One Two Pru complex in 2022. In January 2024, Chicago-based investment firm R2 Companies purchased the property for $60 million, approximately half its 2017 sale price of $121 million, marking its current ownership amid ongoing office leasing activity. The building gained cultural recognition for its appearance in the 1987 film , where its unique angular top serves as a backdrop during a climactic rooftop scene. Equipped with advanced 1980s-era systems for HVAC, , , , and 14 high-speed elevators, it connects via an underground pedway to the nearby Illinois Center and system, enhancing accessibility in the Loop district. Its all-concrete structure and prominent position at the gateway to Chicago's continue to make it an iconic element of the city's skyline.

Overview

Location

The Crain Communications Building is situated at 150 North Michigan Avenue in the Loop community area of downtown , . Positioned at the prominent intersection of North Michigan Avenue and East Randolph Street, the building offers southeast-facing views overlooking . It lies in close proximity to key cultural landmarks, including the roughly 0.3 miles to the south and the expansive Grant Park immediately adjacent to the east. The structure contributes to the architectural density of the Historic Michigan Boulevard District, a designated Chicago Landmark encompassing a 12-block stretch of Michigan Avenue from Randolph Street south to 11th Street. As a 582-foot (177-meter) tower with a distinctive diamond-shaped crown, it holds visibility as a mid-tier element in 's skyline, blending modern form with the historic boulevard's character. Accessibility to the building is enhanced by its central location, with multiple Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) stations within a short walking distance, including Washington/Wabash (serving , , Orange, , and lines) approximately 0.25 miles west and Lake (, , , Orange, , and lines) about 0.15 miles northwest. Additional nearby options encompass State/Lake (0.17 miles) and Adams/Wabash (0.36 miles), facilitating easy public transit connections for commuters and visitors.

Specifications

The Crain Communications Building measures 582 feet (177 meters) in height to the roof, with its two distinctive spires enhancing its visual height on the Chicago skyline. The structure encompasses 39 stories dedicated to , supplemented by mechanical levels, for a total of 41 levels that incorporate the building's slanted rooftop design. The tower provides approximately 700,000 square feet of leasable , supporting a range of professional tenants in a prime location. Classified as a Class A , it includes 14 passenger elevators to facilitate vertical circulation across its floors. The building's energy systems feature HVAC equipment housed within the rooftop spires, which also cover the main roof to maintain aesthetic and functional integrity. Construction was completed in 1984, marking the structure's entry into service as a modern office tower.

Architecture

Design features

The Crain Communications Building, also known as 150 North Michigan Avenue or , features a distinctive characterized by geometric forms and innovative spatial elements. Designed by Sheldon Schlegman of A. Epstein and Sons, the building's upper levels incorporate a diamond-shaped slanted facade canted at 45 degrees on the southeast corner, creating an angular profile that enhances views of and integrates with Chicago's skyline. The exterior employs reflective silver glass in a curtain wall system combined with white aluminum and stainless steel cladding, producing a gleaming effect that mirrors the surrounding and sky. This material palette emphasizes the structure's crystalline aesthetic, particularly at the illuminated rooftop apex, which forms a prominent ornament. The rooftop diamond periodically displays LED messages, such as sports slogans including "GO CUBS" or "GO BEARS," adding a dynamic, interactive element to the building's nighttime presence. Inside, the lobby centers around a modern, sloped atrium that extends the exterior's angular design, providing a bright and spacious entry with integrated seating areas and 24/7 security. Recent renovations completed in 2023 have enhanced tenant amenities, introducing a dedicated lounge with comfortable seating, a snack bar, table games, and panoramic views, alongside a fitness center equipped with athletic facilities, instructional services, and spa-quality showers and lockers.

Structural elements

The Crain Communications Building employs an all- structural system, utilizing for its primary vertical and lateral load-bearing elements as well as floor-spanning systems, which contribute to its stability against the high wind loads prevalent in . This configuration supports the 41-story tower's height of 177.4 meters while accommodating the building's distinctive sloped atrium and canted southeast corner. The foundation is designed to address Chicago's challenging soil conditions, characterized by soft clay layers, typically requiring deep foundation elements such as caissons or piles to reach more stable strata and prevent settlement. A. Epstein and Sons, the engineering firm responsible for the structural planning, ensured the foundation integrated with the overall framework for long-term durability. An innovative aspect of the roof design is its slanted profile, which incorporates an illuminated apex to emphasize the building's crystalline form while housing HVAC exhaust elements within integrated spires, thereby minimizing visual clutter on the skyline. This approach enhances operational efficiency by concealing mechanical components. For safety and operational systems, the building is equipped with comprehensive fire protection measures, including state-of-the-art suppression systems integrated into its computer-controlled building management framework. Seismic considerations align with Midwestern building codes, focusing on moderate earthquake resilience through the rigid concrete core, though wind resistance remains the primary design driver. Energy-efficient glazing features silver reflecting glass in the curtain wall, which reduces heat gain and supports thermal performance across the facade.

History

Construction

The Crain Communications Building, originally commissioned by New York-based Collins Tuttle and Company and initially marketed as One Park Place, was renamed the Associates Center after Associates Commercial Corp. signed on as a major tenant. Groundbreaking occurred in 1982 at the site's location on the northwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street in downtown . Amid Chicago's robust construction boom, which saw a surge in high-rise office developments transforming the city's skyline, the project progressed rapidly. The 41-story tower was topped out in 1983, reflecting efficient planning and execution by architect A. Epstein and Sons. Full completion and initial occupancy followed in March 1984, less than two years after groundbreaking, with the structure officially named Associates Center upon opening. This timeline underscored the era's emphasis on accelerated urban development to meet growing demand for premium .

Ownership and renaming

Upon completion in 1984, the building at 150 North Michigan Avenue was named the Associates Center after its major tenant, Associates Commercial Corp., occupied significant space. In the , ownership transferred to Stone Container Corp., prompting a rename to the Stone Container Building to reflect the company's prominence as an occupant. Following the 1998 merger of Stone Container with Jefferson Smurfit Group to form Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., the structure was redesignated the Smurfit-Stone Building, underscoring the new entity's role in the office market. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken acquired the property in 1999 for approximately $113.2 million, maintaining its status as a key commercial asset in the East Loop. In April 2012, , the U.S. arm of Financial Corp., purchased the tower for $102 million from the Swedish bank, marking a shift in institutional ownership amid evolving downtown dynamics. That same year, Inc. secured a major lease of over 65,000 square feet and obtained , resulting in the building's rebranding as the Crain Communications Building to align with the publisher's expanded operations starting in April 2012. Manulife placed the property on the market in April 2017 through brokerage firm HFF (now JLL), seeking to capitalize on strong demand for premium Loop office space at the time. The sale closed later that year to CBRE Global Investors for $121 million, approximately $183 per square foot, reflecting robust pre-pandemic valuations. By 2023, amid a softening office sector influenced by trends and economic uncertainty, CBRE listed the building for around $70 million, ultimately selling it in January 2024 to a venture led by Chicago-based R2 Companies for nearly $60 million—roughly half its 2017 sale price and signaling broader post-pandemic market corrections. As of November 2025, R2 Companies retains ownership of the 655,000-square-foot tower, rebranded as "The Diamond" to emphasize its distinctive rooftop geometry. The firm has pursued tenant attraction strategies, including the creation of fully furnished, rent-ready spaces and amenity enhancements to improve , evidenced by new leases such as Econic Partners' 18,724-square-foot commitment in mid-2025. These initiatives aim to reposition the property in a competitive landscape, with ongoing renovations supporting higher occupancy amid gradual market recovery.

Usage

Tenants

The Crain Communications Building, now rebranded as The Diamond, at 150 North Michigan Avenue in served as the headquarters for Inc. from 2012 until its relocation to in 2021. The media company had moved from 360 North Michigan Avenue and occupied three floors to house operations for publications such as Crain's Chicago Business. Historically, the building opened in 1984 as the Associates Center, named after its original primary occupant, Associates Commercial Corp., a firm that leased substantial space through the . In the late , Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., a major producer of paper and packaging products, became the dominant tenant, leading to a renaming of the structure as the Smurfit-Stone Building during its occupancy. These early tenants established the property as a hub for in the East Loop, with floor plates typically around 20,000 square feet accommodating large-scale operations. As of 2025, the approximately 710,000-square-foot property hosts a diverse mix of users, including firms like Econic Partners, legal and entities such as , and technology and networking companies like Impact Networking LLC and . This variety reflects the property's evolution into a multi-tenant hub post-pandemic, though vacancy rates have hovered around 20-30% amid broader market challenges and the building's 2024 sale to R2 Companies for approximately $60 million, which prompted repositioning efforts including the to enhance tenant experience with fully furnished rent-ready spaces. To attract and retain occupants, recent lease incentives include access to a renovated fitness center and tenant lounge, supporting flexible arrangements in the Class B tower.

Cultural references

The Crain Communications Building has appeared in several films set in , most notably as a key exterior location in the 1987 comedy , where it served as the backdrop for the film's climactic scenes atop the structure. It also features in the 2011 Transformers: Dark of the Moon, where the building is depicted as being destroyed during a battle sequence. In video games, the building is modeled after its real-life appearance in titles that recreate Chicago's skyline, including (2003), where it appears as a representative in the city's urban simulation. The building's diamond-shaped roof, outlined in white lights, is frequently used to display illuminated messages for public engagement, such as sports team promotions like "GO BEARS" for the or holiday greetings, enhancing its role in local celebrations. These displays, visible from across the city, have become a tradition for cheering on Chicago's professional teams during and championships. As an iconic element of Chicago's skyline, the Crain Communications Building is highlighted on tours for its distinctive slanted facade and postmodern , which add to the "Windy City" identity by offering unique vantage points of landmarks like Grant Park. Guided tours, including those by , often point it out as a symbol of innovation in the Loop district. Its recognizable profile has earned it nicknames like the "Adventures in Babysitting building" among locals and visitors.

References

  1. https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/150-north-michigan-avenue/2441
  2. https://www.epsteinglobal.com/news/throwback-thursday-crains-communications-building
  3. https://www.crain.com/news/crain-communications-on-the-move-in-chicago/
  4. https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/chicago-investor-buys-michigan-avenue-office-tower-big-discount
  5. https://www.commercialsearch.com/commercial-property/us/il/chicago/crain-communications-building/
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  9. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-hancock-real-estate-acquires-landmark-150-north-michigan-avenue-office-tower-in-downtown-chicago-149571895.html
  10. https://opendcl.elevator.umn.edu/asset/viewAsset/59ee3f663f3cb10a1d77be76
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  28. https://www.facebook.com/groups/951998221479788/posts/7912392045440336/
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  32. https://www.thediamondchicago.com/
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  39. https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/4/21/15385510/chicago-diamond-skyscraper-crain-communication-office-building-sale
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