Observation deck 360 CHICAGO is planning a a bold transformation of the uppermost floors of 875 N. Michigan Avenue—formerly the John Hancock Center—in collaboration with SOM and experiential design studio WB. The expansion reimagines floors 94 through 96 as Chicago’s first multilevel observation experience, with a new public deck and a flexible event venue offering panoramic views of the skyline and lakefront. Anchoring the design is a dramatic triple-height atrium and a grand staircase that showcases the tower’s signature X-bracing—an engineering breakthrough originally pioneered by SOM in 1969.

“This expansion is the most significant interior renovation in the building’s 56-year history,” said SOM Design Partner Scott Duncan in a recent Chicago Tribune feature. “We’re introducing a grand staircase, replacing all windows for clearer views, and bringing live exhibits that will be the real pyrotechnics once revealed.” Designed in collaboration with WB, the firm behind the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the new experience fuses immersive storytelling with architecture—celebrating both the city’s cultural identity and the tower’s legacy.

With nearly one million visitors annually, 360 CHICAGO continues to redefine what an observation deck can offer. This latest expansion not only reinforces the tower’s place on the Chicago skyline, but also introduces a new, dynamic space in one of the city’s most coveted attractions.