Illinois Center
historyis the south border (right) of the Near North Side and Streeterville and the north border (left) of Chicago Loop, Lakeshore East and Illinois Center (viewed from Lake Shore Drive's Link Bridge with Trump International Hotel and Tower at jog in the river in the center)]] Illinois Center is a mixed-use urban development in downtown Chicago, Illinois, USA, lying east of Michigan Avenue. It is notable in that the streets running through it have three levels. Elsewhere in Chicago, some streets have two levels, with the lower level for through traffic and service vehicles and the upper level for other local traffic. In Illinois Center, the lower level has been split, with a middle level for through traffic and a lower level for service vehicles.
The development was built on land that had formerly been used for railroad yards (owned by the Illinois Central Railroad). The west half was built out first; the east half was initially turned into a temporary golf course on the lowest level, where the rail yards had been. The golf course has since been turned into a park, now surrounded by an "urban village" of high-rise buildings called Lakeshore East.
The development consists of four blocks with a large area to the east. It is bounded on the west by Michigan Avenue, which has two levels. Just east of that road, the upper level rises to become a higher third level, only accessible on the west edge of the development and at the east end of Upper Wacker Drive. Stetson Avenue and Columbus Drive run north-south, and Lake Street, South Water Street, and Wacker Drive run east-west. Randolph Street lies a block south of the main part, and forms the south border of the east half. All of these streets are at least partly triple-decker. In the south half of the complex, the Metra Electric Lines and the South Shore Line terminate, halfway between Michigan and Stetson Avenues, at Millennium Station.
freight terminal with 333 North Michigan, Wrigley Building, and Tribune Tower in the background (April 1943)]]
One Prudential Plaza, Two Prudential Plaza and the Aon Center are in the blocks south of the main part.
- Chicago Pedway