The John Hancock Center is a 100-story, multi-use building, recognize around the world for its distinctive architecture, prestigious location and presence on Chicago’s skyline. It offers its tenants first-class amenities including on-site business services, parking, dining and retail. Landscape architectural design services were provided by Jacobs/Ryan Associates (JRA) for the complete redesign of the John Hancock Building Plaza. This design took into consideration several important issues including urban environmental conditions such as extreme wind, sun/shade patterns, the client’s desire for visibility into the sunken plaza from street level (in order to view retail operations located there) and to create a comfortable and colorful environment for people to gather and enjoy.

Some of the features incorporated into the space include a wall fountain feature, a grand staircase, a café area and planters built into the structure. JRA was instrumental in advising the client and architect on issues such as landscape lighting, paving materials and planter construction.The John Hancock Center’s elliptical-shaped outdoor plaza has become a favorite meeting spot for North Michigan Avenue office workers, shoppers and tourists. This community oasis is enlivened with plantings, a 12-foot waterfall and seasonal outdoor dining. In 2003, the project won the ILASLA Award of Merit for landscape architectural design.

Client:John Hancock Properties / Shorenstein Realty; Architects: Skidmore Owings & Merrill, Hiltscher Shapiro and Associates