Chicago Board of Trade Building

What it is

The Chicago Board of Trade Building is a landmark skyscraper in Chicago's Loop district. Completed in 1930, it stands as one of the city's most recognizable Art Deco structures. The building served as the headquarters for the Chicago Board of Trade, one of the world's oldest futures and options exchanges. Its distinctive stepped tower and allegorical sculptures of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, crown the structure. The building occupies a prominent position at the southern end of LaSalle Street, contributing to the canyon-like streetscape that defines this financial corridor.

Checked 2026-08-26

What's inside

The interior features the main trading floor, which historically hosted commodity futures trading. The lobby and public spaces contain Art Deco decorative elements including murals, metalwork, and architectural details typical of the period. The building houses offices and commercial spaces. A separate Board of Trade museum exists elsewhere and is not located within this landmark building itself. Visitors should not expect museum exhibits or dedicated tourist facilities inside. The primary interest for visitors lies in the exterior architecture and the building's historical significance to Chicago's financial and agricultural trading heritage.

Checked 2026-08-26

How long to spend

A visit to observe the exterior requires approximately fifteen to thirty minutes. Visitors typically pause to examine the architectural details, the limestone facade, and the sculptural elements at street level. The building does not operate as a conventional tourist attraction with interior tours readily available to the general public. Those interested in architectural photography or detailed examination of Art Deco features may spend longer. The surrounding LaSalle Street canyon offers additional points of architectural interest within short walking distance, allowing visitors to incorporate this stop into a broader Loop district walking itinerary.

Checked 2026-08-26

Season and crowds

Operator-confirmed hours for any interior access are Not recorded pending review. The exterior can be viewed at any time during daylight hours for optimal appreciation of the architectural details. The building functions as active commercial office space, and public interior access is restricted. Visitors should not assume lobby access is permitted. Seasonal weather conditions in Chicago affect outdoor viewing comfort, with winter temperatures potentially severe and summer humidity considerable. The building's illumination at night presents a different aesthetic, though detailed examination of sculptural and decorative elements requires natural light.

Checked 2026-08-26

Tickets

Operator-confirmed prices for any guided access or special entry programs are Not recorded pending review. No standard admission fee applies to viewing the exterior from public sidewalks. The building does not function as a ticketed tourist attraction. Visitors should be prepared that interior access is not generally available for casual tourism purposes. Any organized tours or special access arrangements would require direct inquiry with building management or relevant authorities. Commercial photography permits, if required for professional equipment, would be handled separately through appropriate channels and are not standard visitor considerations.

Checked 2026-08-26

Getting there

The building sits at 141 West Jackson Boulevard at the foot of LaSalle Street in Chicago's Loop. Multiple Chicago Transit Authority train lines serve nearby stations, including the Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines at Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren or Quincy stations. Numerous bus routes operate along Jackson Boulevard and adjacent streets. The location is highly walkable from other downtown landmarks. Driving presents parking challenges typical of Chicago's central business district. Divvy bike-share stations are available in the vicinity. The central location permits easy combination with other Loop architectural attractions.

Checked 2026-08-26

What to watch out for

Public interior access is limited or absent; visitors should not attempt to enter restricted areas. Active office building protocols apply, and security personnel maintain standard procedures. The LaSalle Street intersection experiences heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic during business hours. Construction or maintenance activity may affect sidewalk access or sightlines. Winter ice and snow accumulation on sidewalks requires caution. The surrounding financial district becomes quiet on weekends and holidays, altering the atmosphere though not affecting exterior viewing. Visitors should exercise standard urban awareness regarding personal belongings and surroundings in this busy downtown location.

Checked 2026-08-26

Photography

The exterior presents strong architectural photography opportunities, particularly from LaSalle Street looking south toward the tower's stepped profile. The Ceres sculpture and clock faces offer distinctive subjects. Morning and afternoon light create different effects on the limestone and terra cotta surfaces. Wide-angle lenses accommodate the narrow street canyon. Tripod use on public sidewalks may attract security attention and should be approached with awareness of pedestrian flow. Interior photography is not generally permitted without authorization. The building's prominence in Chicago's architectural heritage makes it a significant subject for documentation, though professional or commercial shoots require appropriate permits.

Checked 2026-08-26

Where it is

• 45 min

  2 min walk

  Rookery Building

  • Must see · Heritage site
  • Historic monument
• 45 min

  3 min walk

  Monadnock Building

  • Must see · Heritage site
  • Historic monument
• 45 min

  4 min walk

  Skydeck

  • Must see
  • Historic monument

External links

• View on Wikidata