Designed by famed Chicago architect Bertrand Goldberg, the 588-foot (180-meter) towers of Marina City feature open-side parking garages topped by 40 stories of pie-shaped residences that each boast a balcony with city views, many overlooking the Chicago River. While most of the space is private, visitors can get an up-close view of this landmark from the street or on a Chicago River architecture cruise.
Marina City is located on the Chicago River at 300 N. State Street across from the famous Loop central business district. Parking in the area can be challenging, so it’s best to use public transit. The closest stops are Grand on the red line (three blocks north) and the Merchandise Mart on the brown and purple lines (three blocks west).
Inside access is never open to the public, but views of the landmark apartment buildings are available 24/7. Architecture cruises along the Chicago River run multiple times throughout the day and night for a different perspective on the site.
Chicago lays claim to a diverse and impressive skyline, and architecture tours and cruises are a popular way to admire the city's one-of-a-kind urban landscape. Get close to buildings from the street level on architecture walking tours, or cruise past the landmarks that line the Chicago River on a boat tour. Many architecture cruises also venture onto Lake Michigan for views of the entire skyline.
