Chicago | 3D Cities

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Chicago - Birthplace of the Skyscraper

Chicago - birthplace of the skyscraper - was destined to be a MiniCty. Its vibrant downtown sits on the edge of Lake Michigan in Northeast Illinois, and its numerous skyscrapers spread across several miles of downtown. In addition to boasting what is regarded as the world's first skyscraper in 1885 Chicago is home to four of the ten tallest buildings in the USA, and has over one hundred buildings over 400 feet tall.

Chicago holds a number of world records for tall buildings: 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center) was the tallest building constructed in the world in the 1960s, and the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) was the tallest building constructed in the world in the 1970s, and the tallest in the world until 1998. It still has the highest top floor in the USA, despite other towers having higher architectural peaks.

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Chicago is full of history

But Chicago is more than just tall buildings! The expansive Grant Park, Art Institute, Pritzker Pavilion, Chicago River (which was made to run backwards), Lake Shore Drive, the Link Bridge, and the Picasso in Daley Plaza are all landmarks recreated in these detailed 3D prints.

The MiniCty models of Chicago are built from laser-scan data from 2011, so are missing a few notable buildings: NEMA Chicago (8th tallest at 896 feet), One Bennet Park (14th, 837'), 150 North Riverside (20th, 747'), and River Point (21st, 732'). Nevertheless, the 8" model contains the Willis Tower on the South, Trump Int'l Hotel and Tower and the Aon Center in the middle, and ends just shy of the John Hancock Center. The 12" model includes all five "supertalls" (over 1000' tall) but less of Grant Park. The 24" showpiece model includes all the supertalls (the Willis Tower is over 4" high), Lake Point Tower by Lake Shore Drive, and more details West of the Chicago River, such as the massive Old Chicago Main Post Office.

This piece is made from biodegradable starch-based plastic, and will be 3D printed, cleaned, and packaged just for you. It comes mounted to a simple and smooth art board and hangs on a nail with no extra effort. To keep this work looking great, just dust it periodically with a blast of air.