North Bridge also includes five hotels (three Hilton, two Marriott), three parking garages, and two office buildings, housing the American Medical Association and Euro RSCG.

The mall also occupies a topographically unusual site, as Michigan Avenue at this location is elevated, gently sloping back down to ground level from its bi-level bridge over the Chicago River.

The mall curves southwest through the building and ramps up several feet, accommodating a rise in Grand Avenue below, then spans Rush Street to meet Nordstrom.

Street-level retail space also exists along the ground-level streets underneath the mall, whose first floor is actually quite high above ground level.

Construction proceeded after the Arts Club relocated its famed floating staircase to a new building.