Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois

myminifactory

Construction finished in 1929, a year that will forever be remembered as the pinnacle of achievement for this magnificent skyscraper. Designed by the ingenious Walter W. Alschlager, it stands tall at an astonishing 471 feet, its grandeur unmatched in its time. This architectural masterpiece boasts no less than 45 stories, each one a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of greatness. The numbers are staggering: 867 hotel rooms, a veritable oasis for weary travelers seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. The timeline is a story of transformation and rebirth. In 1989, this iconic building was acquired by Inter-Continental Hotels, marking the beginning of a new era in its illustrious history. The following year, it reopened as The Hotel Inter-Continental, with the south tower proudly bearing that name, while the north tower took on the identity of The Forum Hotel. However, it soon became apparent that having two separate hotels wasn't working out, so they were unified into a single entity - the two-tower InterContinental Hotel we know and love today. And what's more, this remarkable building has been the subject of much attention over the years, from its starring role in the popular TV quiz show Jeopardy to a rather more tragic event that occurred in December 2012. A man scaled the roof and fell down the chimney, resulting in his untimely demise. His girlfriend later revealed that he had simply wanted to capture a momentous photo - a poignant reminder of the human desire for connection with the world around us. And then there's the enigmatic tower-like structure near the onion dome, once used as a blimp mooring and later an observation deck. Though now closed to the public, its history remains a fascinating tale of innovation and progress. This incredible building is part of the "Scan The World" initiative, a non-profit endeavor dedicated to creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access at no cost. If you have an interesting item that you'd like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can be a part of this remarkable project. This object was scanned using photogrammetry, carefully processed with Agisoft PhotoScan to ensure its digital representation is nothing short of breathtaking.