Which Chicago skyscraper is known for its black aluminum-and-glass exterior and former name, the John Hancock Center?

875 North Michigan Avenue is the Chicago skyscraper formerly known as the John Hancock Center.

The 100-story tower stands on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and is recognized by its dark aluminum skin and exposed X-shaped bracing. The structural system was developed by engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan and architect Bruce Graham of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

Completed in 1969, the building reaches 1,128 feet (344 metres) including its antennas. Its braced-tube structure allowed the tower to resist Chicago’s strong winds while reducing the need for dense interior columns.

The property was officially renamed 875 North Michigan Avenue in 2018 after the John Hancock Insurance Company ended its naming agreement. Many residents and visitors still use the former name. The building contains apartments, offices, restaurants and an observation attraction, making it a mixed-use skyscraper rather than a purely commercial tower.