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Aqua Tower
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Aqua Tower

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Aqua Tower
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
How to get there
  • Randolph/Wabash • 7 min walk
  • State/Lake • 9 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
2,914 within 5 kms
Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe
4,966
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Miss Ricky's
305
0.5 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Eggy's Diner Chicago
603
0.1 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Diner • Vegetarian Friendly
Giordano's
3,183
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Hoyt's Tavern
425
0.5 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
Sweetwater Tavern & Grille (Michigan Plaza - Chicago)
916
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Ocean Prime
116
0.5 km₹₹₹₹ • American • Steakhouse • Seafood
Morton's The Steakhouse
716
0.5 km₹₹₹₹ • American • Steakhouse • Gluten Free Options
Intelligentsia Coffee
411
0.5 km₹ • Quick Bites • Cafe
Bongiorno's Italian Deli and Pizzeria
376
0.6 km₹ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
See all
Attractions
576 within 10 kms
Grant Park
931
0.3 kmParks
Maggie Daley Park
1,343
0.3 kmParks • Playgrounds
Chicago Architecture Center
3,284
0.4 kmSpeciality Museums
Millennium Park
25,133
0.5 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Lakeshore East Park
18
0.2 kmParks • Gardens
Cloud Gate
18,278
0.5 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
American Writers Museum
430
0.4 kmSpeciality Museums
Cascade Park
1
0.2 kmParks
Michigan Avenue Bridge
983
0.4 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges
Taste of Chicago
103
0.2 kmFood & Drink Festivals
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
70 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
29
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
CaptTrouble
Hudson, WI7,890 contributions
Interesting architectural building!
Sep 2019
My husband and I were on a long walk to the Art Institute and HAD to stop and photograph this building in the daytime. We had seen it in the evening on the Sunset Architecture Boat Cruise a couple of years ago, but now we could admire it from across the street.

Designed by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects, the balconies are designed to look like waves with no two alike. It opened in 2010 and is 859 feet high.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamWard
Nottingham, UK5,176 contributions
Iconic building
Jul 2019
The Aqua Tower when you first see it looks kinder weird, but have a wander around two sides and see two sides and the curved exterior its looks really cool.
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin S
Cranford, NJ1,531 contributions
Unique and Eye Catching Architecture
Jun 2019
Aqua Tower is an award winning building that brought fame to the area called Lakeshore East.

It’s unique external look, one of waves, is so cool that you just can’t take your eyes off it - at least I can’t!

The waves are balconies and each is part of a unique floor design. They enable residents to be able to talk to others nearby! How cool is that!

Jeanne Gang established a worldwide reputation for her work as a result of this building and has gone on to design many other places in Chicago and around the world.

The Aqua Tower is part residential and part commercial with a Raddison Hotel as part of the Tower.

I simply love looking at this building!!
Written 12 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
One of Chicago's tallest and most distinguished high rises
Jan 2019 • Couples
Just when you think developers and architects can't design anything bigger or bolder than Lake Point Tower, Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects produces Aqua with its rippling facade of irregular balconies that has been praised by architecture critics for its fascinating visual impact. Located at 255 North Columbus Drive, north of Millennium Park and overlooking Soldier Field and the museum campus on Chicago's lakefront, Aqua is a mixed use 82-story residential skyscraper that rises to a height of 819 feet. It is one of the tallest high rises built during Chicago's skyscraper boom of 2000-2009. Completed in 2009, Aqua is noted for the unique design of its balconies, which give the building a remarkable silhouette. The pattern of undulating balconies, from the tower's base all the way to the top, make for an interesting facade. The effect is especially beautiful when viewed up close, when it looks almost like waves in the ocean, which explains the tower's name. It is a building unlike any other, as is Lake Point Tower. The balconies just don't create a stunning visual effect but they break up the wind streams so the tower needs less resistance against the persistent and strong Chicago winds. The balconies also protrude two to 12 feet outward, allowing for wide views of the area. The tower has received considerable critical acclaim and earned Emporis' 2009 Skyscraper Award. No, it doesn't offer a bird's-eye view of the Chicago Bears' games in Soldier Field.
Written 3 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irina
United States10,630 contributions
A 300 Million Dollar Beauty
Sep 2018 • Solo
If you enter Lake Shore East Park from Millennium Park you'll see Aqua Tower - this architectural wonder - on the left side of the park, reflecting light with all its concrete slabs and glass, creating a visual effect of water running down its walls from the height of over 900 feet. Aqua Tower!

The building - designed in 2007 by architect Jeanne Gang with Studio Gang Architects - is a combination of offices, apartments, condos and a hotel; it was built in 2009, and since then has won many special Architects Awards, as well as admiration of people.

In the company of more conventional looking, residential high-rises an ultracool Aqua Tower definitely stands out, but its 'slim frame' and elongated proportions don't overpower the wonderful looks of the park.
Written 15 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert E
Saint Louis, MO245 contributions
Incredible Service and Views
Jul 2018 • Family
I can only review this from afar as i do not live here. Friends of mine live here and I have looked around as well. When the time comes to move to Chicago permanently I will give Aqua serious consideration. Anything from the views from balconies to the amenities of the building they raise the bar for hirise living standards.
Written 4 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cara S
Washington DC, DC72 contributions
Gorgeous
Sep 2018 • Friends
The view from our room let us see the building in some detail. It's more stunning in person than in photographs. The whole shape seems to undulate.
Written 4 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne B
Isle of Skye, UK545 contributions
Beautiful building
Aug 2018 • Couples
This building is just stunning from the outside, I love seeing it from far away and I love standing right beside it looking up, it’s different from every angle
Written 7 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaptTrouble
Hudson, WI7,890 contributions
Pretty cool at night
Jun 2017 • Couples
When this building is lighted at night, it has a distinct wavy or lumpy appearance. Really unusual. It has been called "architectural pornography" and many disapprove of building with fins (giving it the wavy surface). It really is something you need to see to believe, and is more interesting at night. It is the 9th tallest building in Chicago and was completed in 2009.
Written 28 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn C
Cleveland, OH54,311 contributions
So neat
Aug 2017 • Friends
I love the architecture of this building, it is truly amazing! The waves in the building are truly unique. A definite photo site while in Chicago
Written 16 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Aqua Tower (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Aqua Tower