Daley Plaza

Daley Plaza
source
Name	Daley Plaza
Caption	Daley Plaza with the Chicago City Hall and the Picasso sculpture.
Location	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Coordinates	41, 53, 2, N...
Construction start date	1963
Opening date	1965
Architect	Jacques Brownson of C.F. Murphy Associates; I.W. Colburn
Owner	City of Chicago
Publictransit	Clark/Lake, Washington, Washington/Wells

Daley Plaza. A prominent civic square in the Chicago Loop, serving as the primary forecourt to the Chicago City Hall and the Richard J. Daley Center. Named for longtime Mayor Richard J. Daley, the plaza is a celebrated example of Modernist urban design and a central hub for public gatherings, protests, and cultural events. Its most iconic feature is the untitled monumental sculpture by Pablo Picasso, which has become a defining symbol of the city's commitment to public art.

History

The plaza's development was intrinsically linked to the construction of the Richard J. Daley Center, a courthouse and office building designed to consolidate Cook County and City of Chicago judicial functions. The project, led by the architectural firm C.F. Murphy Associates with Jacques Brownson as chief designer, required the demolition of several older structures, including parts of the historic City Hall-County Building. Upon its completion in 1965, the open space was initially known as the Civic Center Plaza. In December 1976, following the death of Mayor Richard J. Daley, the plaza was officially renamed in his honor by the Chicago City Council. The site has been a focal point for numerous significant public demonstrations, including anti-Vietnam War protests and rallies during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

Architecture and design

The plaza is a quintessential example of the International Style, characterized by its austere, open expanse of granite paving. It is framed by the stark Cor-Ten steel and glass facade of the Richard J. Daley Center and the neoclassical Chicago City Hall. Landscape architect I.W. Colburn contributed to the hardscape design, which includes a large central fountain that operates seasonally. The space is intentionally unadorned to emphasize the monumental buildings that surround it and to accommodate large crowds, creating a stark yet powerful urban room. The use of durable materials like granite and the weathering steel of the Daley Center was intended to symbolize the strength and permanence of civic institutions.

Civic functions and events

Daley Plaza functions as the city's premier civic forum, hosting a wide array of public events throughout the year. It is the site of the annual Christkindlmarket Chicago, a traditional German holiday market, and numerous cultural festivals celebrating communities from Poland to Mexico. Political rallies, from presidential campaigns to local advocacy movements, are frequently held here. The plaza also contains the eternal flame memorial for Vietnam War veterans and is a popular location for daily lunchtime gatherings for downtown workers. Its central location, adjacent to major transit hubs like the Clark/Lake station, ensures its constant use as a pedestrian thoroughfare and meeting place.

The Picasso sculpture

The plaza's most famous element is the large, untitled steel sculpture dedicated in 1967, created by renowned artist Pablo Picasso. Commissioned by the architects and funded by charitable donations from several prominent Chicago families, including the Field family of Marshall Field's fame, the abstract work stands over 50 feet tall. Its enigmatic form, suggestive of a woman's head or an Afghan Hound, was initially met with public controversy but has since become a beloved icon. The sculpture's presence signaled a bold commitment to integrating major works of modern art, such as those by Marc Chagall and Joan Miró, into Chicago's public spaces, influencing subsequent installations like Cloud Gate in Millennium Park.

In popular culture

Daley Plaza has served as a backdrop for numerous films, television shows, and literary works, often symbolizing the heart of Chicago's political and civic life. It features prominently in the climax of the *The Blues Brothers* and appears in movies like *The Fugitive* and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The plaza and the Picasso sculpture are frequently referenced in novels by Chicago authors, including works by Saul Bellow and Sara Paretsky. Its recognizable architecture and central role in city life make it a go-to location for establishing shots in media set in Chicago.

Category:Squares in Chicago Category:Richard J. Daley Category:Public art in Chicago Category:1965 establishments in Illinois