The
Standard Oil Building in
Chicago was completed in
1972. At 1,136 feet (346.3 m) tall, it is second only to the
Sears Tower in height in Chicago. When the building was originally built, it was the world's tallest marble clad building. Eventually, the Carrara marble that sheathed the building began to buckle and roll off the building. From
1990 to
1992, the coating was replaced with granite. The building employs a tubular steel-framed structural system with V-shaped perimeter columns to resist earthquakes, reduce sway, minimize column bending, and maximize column-free space.
"Big Stan" as the building was often called, was known officially as the Amoco Building. After the building was sold, it became known officially as the Aon Building.
In the early 80s, the lights in selective offices in the building were turned on to form a huge cross in the Christmas season. It was a unique seasonal display in the Chicago skylines. It is unknown if such tradition is still in place nowadays given the energy conservation concerns.
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