Richard J. Daley Center

Richard J. Daley Center Review

Named for the late mayor Richard J. Daley, this boldly plain high-rise is the headquarters of the Cook County court system, but it's best known as the site of a sculpture by Picasso. Known simply as the Picasso, this monumental piece provoked an outcry when it was installed in 1967; baffled Chicagoans tried to determine whether it represented a woman or an Afghan hound. In the end, they gave up guessing and simply embraced it as a unique symbol of the city. The building was constructed in 1965 of Cor-Ten steel, which weathers naturally to an attractive bronze. In summer the building's plaza is the site of concerts, political rallies, and a farmers' market on Thursdays; during the holidays, the city's official Christmas tree is erected here, and Christkindlmarket, a traditional German market selling food and gifts, takes over the area.