Page 64 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

62  CHIC A GO AREA B Y AREA

Street-by-Street: The Magnificent Mile

The magnificent mile, a stretch of Michigan Avenue north of the
Chicago River, is Chicago’s most fashionable street. Although
almost completely destroyed in the 1871 fire, by the early 1900s,
Michigan Avenue had become a major traffic artery. The 1920
opening of Michigan Avenue Bridge led to a retail boom. In 1947,
developer Arthur Rubloff, predicting that the street would be
Chicago’s premier shopping district, dubbed it the Magnificent
Mile. His prediction came true and the name stuck. Exclusive
shops line the wide boulevard, while modern retail
complexes and mixed-use skyscrapers rub shoulders
with historic buildings.

900 North Michigan Shops
Anchored by Bloomingdales
department store, this
contemporary mall houses
over 400 retailers, including
specialty shops and
high-end designers such as
Coach and Gucci.

6 Fourth Presbyterian Church
Fourteen carved stone angels, each
holding a musical instrument, adorn
the nave of this Gothic Revival-style
church, the oldest structure on the
Magnificent Mile after the Water
Tower. A large fountain sparkles at
the center of its inner courtyard.

5 . Water Tower and
Pumping Station
These two historic castellated
structures, the station housing
a café, theater and visitors’ center,
sit on an island in the street –
7 . John Hancock Center a relaxing, shady retreat from
This tower offers spectacular views from busy Michigan Avenue.
its open-air skywalk and a thrilling TILT
experience, both on the 94th floor. Key
The ground-level plaza has a fountain,
cafés, and, occasionally, live music. Suggested route

062-063_EW_Chicago.indd 62 13/07/16 2:59 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm