You’ve seen it. If you’ve ever walked along the Chicago River or stood on the DuSable Bridge, your eyes have definitely grazed the green-tinted glass and those distinct white accents of 1 West Wacker Drive. But here is the thing: most people just walk right past it. They’re looking at the Neo-Gothic drama of the Tribune Tower or the massive, shiny curves of the Trump International Hotel and Tower nearby. That’s a mistake. While it doesn't have the height of the Willis Tower or the historical "first-of-its-kind" tag of the Monadnock, this building is basically the glue of the North Loop. It represents a very specific, pivotable moment in Chicago’s architectural evolution. It’s a bridge between the old-school masonry of the early 20th century and the "glass-is-everything" vibe of the 21st.
People call it the United Building. Well, they used to, before United Airlines packed up and moved their headquarters over to Willis Tower in 2012. Now it’s just 1 West Wacker, a name that’s basically a coordinates-based flex. It sits right at the intersection of Wacker Drive and State Street. That is prime real estate. You’re literally at the corner of "history" and "business."
The Design That Kevin Roche Nailed
The building was designed by Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates. If that name sounds familiar, it should. Kevin Roche was a Pritzker Prize winner. He wasn't interested in just making another flat glass box. When construction wrapped up around 1992, the building stood out because it didn't try to be a minimalist sculpture. Instead, it’s a Postmodern powerhouse.
Look at the facade. It’s got this rhythmic, vertical energy. The silver-grey granite and the green glass aren’t just random choices; they were meant to reflect the river and the surrounding concrete jungle simultaneously. The building stands 50 stories tall—about 668 feet if you’re counting—and it does this cool thing where it steps back as it goes up. It’s a classic Chicago "setback" style, but modernized. Honestly, it’s kinda refreshing to see a building that respects the street level while still reaching for the sky. The base is sturdy. It feels permanent.
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Inside, the lobby is all about that 90s-meets-timeless luxury. We’re talking marble. Lots of it. And high ceilings that make you feel tiny in that specific way only big-city skyscrapers can.
The United Airlines Era and the Identity Shift
For a long time, 1 West Wacker Drive was synonymous with United Airlines. It was their global nerve center. Imagine the sheer amount of logistics, data, and high-stakes corporate drama that went through those floors every day. When they moved out, there was this weird silence about what the building would become. Would it stay a corporate fortress? Or would it adapt?
It adapted. That’s what Chicago buildings do.
Currently, the tenant list is a massive mix. You’ve got huge law firms like Cozen O'Connor occupying significant square footage. There’s the American Hospital Association. It’s become a hub for professional services and non-profits that need that "prestige" address without the tourist-trap feel of some other downtown towers. The floor plates are roughly 22,000 to 25,000 square feet, which is basically the "Goldilocks" zone for mid-to-large firms. Not too big that you lose your team, not too small that you’re cramped.
Why the Location is a Logistics Cheat Code
If you work at 1 West Wacker, you’ve basically won the commute lottery.
- The L: You are steps away from the State/Lake station. Every color of the rainbow—Red, Blue, Green, Brown, Orange, Pink—is within a three-minute walk.
- The Riverwalk: You can literally walk out the back door and be on the Chicago Riverwalk in sixty seconds. In the summer, that’s a game-changer for lunch breaks.
- The View: Because it sits on the bend of the river, the northern views are unobstructed. You’re looking straight up the river toward the lake.
The Postmodern Struggle for Respect
Postmodernism is in a weird spot right now. Everyone loves the Art Deco stuff from the 20s, and everyone is obsessed with the sleek, all-glass "starchitect" towers of the 2020s. The 90s stuff? It’s often ignored. But 1 West Wacker is proving that the 90s had a lot of substance. It’s built well. It handles the Chicago wind without whistling (a real problem for some newer builds).
There’s a nuance to the way the white metal trim catches the light at sunset. It’s not flashy. It’s steady. In a city where buildings are constantly trying to out-shout each other with LED displays and jagged angles, 1 West Wacker is the quiet professional in the room. It doesn't need to scream.
One thing most people get wrong is thinking it’s just another office block. It’s not. It was a key part of the "Wacker Drive" revitalization that turned the riverfront from a gritty industrial service road into the city's second front yard. Before buildings like this went up, the river was something you ignored. Now, it’s the centerpiece.
What it’s Like Inside Today
The building has undergone some serious renovations recently to keep up with the "amenity war" happening in downtown real estate. You can't just have a desk and a coffee machine anymore.
The fitness center is top-tier. There are tenant lounges that feel more like high-end hotel bars than office breakrooms. The ownership—currently managed by entities associated with AmTrust Realty—has poured money into making sure the common areas feel current. They know that to keep law firms and tech-adjacent tenants, the "vibe" has to be right.
And let’s talk about the outdoor space. There’s a private terrace for tenants that offers one of the best "secret" views of the city. Being outside, 40 floors up, with the wind coming off the lake while you’re in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon meeting? That’s the dream.
Realities of the Current Market
Is it all sunshine and river views? No. Chicago’s office market is in a state of flux. With hybrid work becoming the standard, 1 West Wacker has to work harder to stay full. Vacancy rates across the Loop have been tricky since 2020. However, 1 West Wacker has stayed remarkably resilient compared to its peers on LaSalle Street.
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The reason? Location and light.
Older buildings on LaSalle feel like caves. They’re deep, dark, and historic. 1 West Wacker Drive is flooded with natural light because of that green glass curtain wall. In the modern workforce, light is a commodity. People don't want to work in a basement. They want to see the weather changing over the Wrigley Building.
Actionable Insights for Visiting or Leasing
If you’re a tourist, don’t just take a photo of the building from the bridge. Walk into the plaza. Look at the way the building meets the ground. It’s a lesson in urban scale.
If you’re a business looking for a Chicago footprint, here is the reality check:
- Expect to pay a premium for the river view. The north-facing offices are significantly more expensive than the ones facing the interior of the Loop.
- Factor in the "commuter" factor. You’ll save your employees about 15 minutes of walking time compared to buildings further west on Wacker.
- Check the floor height. Because of the setbacks, higher floors have different layouts than the base. Some have weird corners, but those corners usually make for the best executive offices.
One West Wacker isn't the tallest. It isn't the oldest. But it might just be the most functional, well-placed, and aesthetically balanced building in the entire North Loop. It’s the anchor of State and Wacker, and it’s not going anywhere.
To truly experience the impact of the building, start at the Thompson Center, walk east toward the lake, and watch how the skyline shifts. When you hit the corner of 1 West Wacker, notice how the building "opens up" the river corridor. That was intentional. It’s a piece of urban planning disguised as a skyscraper.
For those looking to dig deeper into the architectural specs, the building utilizes a composite steel frame with a concrete core—standard for the era, but executed with a precision that has allowed it to age without the structural "tiredness" seen in some 80s builds. It’s a workhorse. A very beautiful, green-tinted workhorse.
Next time you’re near the river, look up at the white crown of 1 West Wacker. It’s a reminder that good design isn't always about being the loudest voice in the room. Sometimes, it’s about having the best seat at the table.
Check the building's official tenant portal or management site for current leasing availability, as the mix of boutique firms and larger anchor tenants changes annually. Most tours of the lobby are restricted to tenants, but the exterior architecture remains one of the best free sights for any fan of the Chicago School of architecture's later evolution.