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 360 CHICAGO ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF OBSERVATION DECK AND NEW DEDICATED EVENT SPACE ATOP ICONIC 875 N. MICHIGAN AVENUE

360 CHICAGO, the observation deck located on the 94th floor of 875 N. Michigan Avenue (the former John Hancock Center), today announced that the observation deck will expand to the 95th floor, becoming Chicago's first multi-story observation deck, and the 96th floor will become a premier event space for weddings, celebrations and corporate gatherings.

360 CHICAGO's parent company, Magnicity, purchased the two floors in June 2024, and after a multimillion-dollar renovation, the new spaces are expected to open to the public in 2027. New features planned include a grand staircase connecting floors 94, 95 and 96 – ascending through a dramatic triple-height space with striking views of Lake Michigan.

“This expansion across three floors represents a significant commitment to Chicago's Magnificent Mile, as well as a strategic investment in the visitor experience and the long-term value of 875 N. Michigan Avenue,” said Nichole Benolken, Managing Director of 360 CHICAGO. “The renovation – and reimagining – of these two floors will take guests on an immersive and vibrant journey to the top of the city, and those wishing to celebrate with us will be able to do so amid unparalleled surroundings.”

Designed for elevated experiences, the 96th floor will become a premier venue for unforgettable weddings, standout brand activations, and exceptional corporate events. With sweeping views of Chicago's skyline and lakefront, this space will offer the flexibility to host both intimate and large-scale gatherings.

360 CHICAGO has joined forces with architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), and WB, a global leader in experiential brand development, to reimagine the guest journey through an integrated approach that fuses architecture and immersive design. The concept will align with Magnicity and 360 CHICAGO's mission to champion the city of Chicago through an elevated guest experience that celebrates Chicago's rich culture, history and diverse communities.

The new vision for the space amplifies the tower's signature X-bracing structure—originally designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)—using it as a focal point in the interior redesign. In partnership with WB, a global leader in experiential brand development and immersive multimedia experiences, the reimagined space will celebrate the building's innovative architecture while incorporating experiential storytelling, creating a unified environment where form, function, and narrative are seamlessly interwoven.

“Over the last decade we've invested nearly $20 million in our experience and grown our annual visitation numbers by over 60%. This acquisition and expansion will allow us to welcome even more visitors in future years,” added Benolken. In 2014 360 CHICAGO introduced TILT, Chicago's highest thrill ride, and in 2022 opened the city's highest cocktail lounge, CloudBar. Most recently, 360 CHICAGO unveiled a complete renovation of the concourse-level entry, which transformed the space into a digitally enhanced tribute to Chicago's neighborhoods and culture.

For more information on 360 CHICAGO visit 360Chicago.com