Radical Residentials: Marina City
Have you ever wanted to live in a “city-within-a-city”? That was the original concept behind Chicago’s historical Marina City. Designed by Bertrand Golderb in 1959 and completed in 1968, the mixed-use residential and commercial complex was the first of its scale in the country and played a significant role in shaping urban development worldwide.
The Corn Cobs
Sailing through the city on The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady, it’s impossible to miss the two towers of Marina City rising up along the riverbank. Designed in a mid-century, modernist style, the cylindrical shapes and petal-like balconies are purposefully reminiscent of Illinois corn cobs.
You won’t find any right angles inside these apartments. On each residential floor, the elevator bank opens onto a circular hallway leading to the sector-shaped condominiums. With walls widening as they move further out, every unit includes a semi-circular balcony (as well as plenty of spacious windows), leading to the curving, petal shapes of the facade as seen from the outside.
The buildings were created using a “core-first” technique, with their hefty cylindrical cores being built first and the rest of the structure following. The vertical centers house the elevator banks, provide circulation and structural stability, and distribute stress from winds — a crucial need in the Windy City.
Everything You Want, In One Building
The Marina City buildings share a mezzanine level and boast a wide range of both private and public spaces. Each of the identical 587-foot towers are 65 stories tall, including 40 floors of rentals and condominiums, 18 parking levels, and an observation deck.
Notably, each apartment functions solely on electricity, with no gas or propane. While most buildings built at the time shared a central source of hot water, heat, and AC, every unit of Marina City has its own water heater, electric stove, and temperature control system.
The “city-within-a-city” also houses private and public spaces like restaurants, a bowling alley, a swimming pool, and a grocery store. A small plaza originally including an ice rink overlooking the Chicago River, and the auditorium was formerly a cinema. Additionally, what was formerly a movie theater is now a concert hall to the famous music club, House of Blues.
And, of course, a small marina sits at river level, giving the building its name.
A Place in History & Media
Marina City is known for kicking off the residential renaissance of American inner cities. Though commonplace today, its mixed-use residential and commercial spaces, as well as lower-level parking, was revolutionary at the time and has become a model for today’s highrises.
The iconic, unique structure of the building has made it a popular filming location. The Hunter (1980) features a famous car chase scene through the parking garage — and ends with a plunge into the Chicago River below. Other notable appearances occur in Goldstein (1964), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), and The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025).
A longtime favorite of Chicago locals and visitors alike, the complex was designated an architectural landmark in 2016.
Immerse Yourself in Chicago’s Architecture
Learn more about Marina City and other famous landmarks with The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady. Cruise down the Chicago River accompanied by expert insight courtesy of volunteer docents from the Chicago Architecture Center. Don’t miss the boat - reserve your ticket today!
