The Rookery Building
Dating back to 1888, The Rookery Building is Chicago's oldest standing high-rise and it's one of the best interior photography locations in the city. The exterior has a heavy Romanesque look with arched windows, rough cut stone, and small bird carvings tucked into the stonework. Frank Lloyd Wright redesigned the lobby in 1905, covering the original ironwork in white Carrara marble with gold geometric detailing. A soaring glass skylight sits over the whole two story space and fills it with natural light. The lobby features ornamental iron, Wright's planters and light fixtures, and a curving double staircase that winds up to a wraparound balcony on the second floor. Midday gives you the most even light through the skylight, but earlier visits can bring some nice directional light depending on the season. On the western side, an spiral stair case flows from the 12th floor down to the second. The lobby is free and open to the public Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, and Saturday 8am to 2pm. (Use the Adams Street entrance.) Access to the building beyond of the lobby is usually limited to guided tours through the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust and have to be pre-booked. Personal photography is fine, but all professional shoots will need a permit. (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
