[1] The total square footage is approximately 972,000 sq ft (90,300 m2) including the rooftop winter-garden event space.

Notably, Jahn's design was to have arched over Van Buren Street onto the area that is now occupied by Pritzker Park, incorporating a new elevated station on Chicago's Loop.

With the support of Harold Washington and Chicago's wealthy Pritzker family, ground was broken at the chosen site at Congress Parkway and State Street, covering an entire block.

England responded to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 by donating over 8,000 books to the city, which became the foundation of the first public library.

[7] The pediments and most of the west side facing Plymouth Court are glass, steel and aluminum with ornamentation hearkening to the Mannerist style.

[7] In 1993, the roof was ornamented with seven large, painted aluminum acroteria designed by Kent Bloomer with owl figures by Raymond Kaskey.

[8] The acroterium on the State Street side depicts an owl, a symbol of knowledge due to its association with the Greek goddess Athena.

Wells Drive) and on the Van Buren sides contain seed pods, which represent the natural bounty of the Midwest.

On the divide between the granite blocks and the brick portions are wall medallions that have the face of Ceres and ears of corn.