800 Fulton Market

With its innovative structural design, ample outdoor terraces, and light-filled workspaces, this mixed-use building is a milestone in the transformation of Chicago's formerly industrial Fulton Market District.

Project Facts
  • Status Construction Complete
  • Completion Year 2021
  • Design Finish Year 2019
  • Size Site Area: 37,576 square feet Building Height: 326 feet Building Gross Area: 431,998 square feet
  • Awards
    2021, Deal of the Year, Greater Chicago Food Depository 2020, Muse Design Awards, Muse 2020, Interior Design Best of the Year: On the Boards; Commercial, Interior Design Magazine 2022, NTMA Award, Terrazo & Marble Supply Companies 2022, Honor Award, National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association 2022, AEI Professional Project Awards, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI)
  • Sustainability Certifications
    LEED BD+C NC (New Construction) Platinum WELL
  • Collaborators
    Ccs Inc. Omni Ecosystems Dbhms - Chicago Vda
Project Facts
  • Status Construction Complete
  • Completion Year 2021
  • Design Finish Year 2019
  • Size Site Area: 37,576 square feet Building Height: 326 feet Building Gross Area: 431,998 square feet
  • Awards
    2021, Deal of the Year, Greater Chicago Food Depository 2020, Muse Design Awards, Muse 2020, Interior Design Best of the Year: On the Boards; Commercial, Interior Design Magazine 2022, NTMA Award, Terrazo & Marble Supply Companies 2022, Honor Award, National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association 2022, AEI Professional Project Awards, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI)
  • Sustainability Certifications
    LEED BD+C NC (New Construction) Platinum WELL
  • Collaborators
    Ccs Inc. Omni Ecosystems Dbhms - Chicago Vda

Bridging a neighborhood’s past and future

800 Fulton Market is a mixed-use office building that marks the gateway to one of Chicago’s most dynamic neighborhoods. With a series of setbacks and landscaped terraces, the 19-story design is carefully proportioned to relate to the rhythm and scale of the Fulton Market District’s historic low-rise streetscape, while connecting to the higher-density commercial district to the north.

800 Fulton, brick and glass building with steel x-bracing and landscaped terraces that step back from the street.
© Dave Burk | SOM

From a 3-story podium that matches the existing scale of Fulton Market Street, the building rises in stepped terraces that create generous, landscaped outdoor spaces with native planting and trees. The dynamic and varied facade enlivens Fulton Market Street, while achieving a slender profile from the east and west. The architecturally expressed structure marks the office entrance along the west elevation of the podium, while a composition of brick, glass, and dark metal paneling relates to the existing industrial neighborhood character.

800 Fulton
© Dave Burk | SOM
800 Fulton
© Dave Burk | SOM

Engineered for Chicago’s climate

Continuing SOM’s legacy of structurally expressive architecture, the building is defined by its X-braced facades. External steel brace frames on the east and west elevations are engineered with Chicago’s harsh winters in mind. The central node of each brace moves closer to facades as the braces cool and contract and further from the facade as the braces heat up and expand. Throughout the expected range of approximately 9 inches of thermal movements, the braces are effective at resisting wind loads. Together with an offset cantilevered core made of glass, this unique structural system enables large, open floor plates and flexible, light-filled workspaces.

800 Fulton
© Dave Burk | SOM
800 Fulton
© Dave Burk | SOM
800 Fulton
© Dave Burk | SOM

Interiors that foster wellbeing

Inside, a nearly 40-foot tall main lobby is defined by a cantilevered staircase and mezzanine that create layered spaces of activity. The material approach, which utilizes exposed concrete, wood and red brick, mimics the tower’s exterior and draws inspiration from the neighborhood’s industrial character. With its flexible workstations and seating, the lobby also becomes a place of exchange that blends seamlessly into the busy streetscape.

A vibrant mix of retail, community and conferencing spaces, a fitness center and lounge activate the site throughout the day. Above, landscaped terraces with native plantings on every other floor and ample daylighting within the office spaces bring wellness and sustainability to the forefront. On the 18th and 19th floors, tenants can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding city from the rooftop bar and terraces.

800 Fulton
© Dave Burk | SOM
800 Fulton
© Dave Burk | SOM

800 Fulton features smart building systems that advance the project’s goals for sustainability and wellbeing. Assistive technology enables availability and capacity monitoring for conference rooms and amenity spaces and tracks paper product usage, while mechanical systems cycle fresh air throughout the building. The project is certified LEED Platinum and targeting WELL Building Standard certification.

Meet the team

The SOM design team and our project partners discuss the impact of 800 Fulton on Chicago’s emerging West Side.

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