Chicago - James R.Thompson Center (formerly State of Illinois Center)

In the north-western part of the Loop is the very handsome modern complex of the James R Thompson Center, formerly known as the State of Illinois Center. It is regarded by many as the German-born architect Helmut Jahn's masterpiece. Its interior is strikingly impressive, with a huge atrium mall housing many excellent shops, cafes and restaurants. Here too is the State of Illinois Art Gallery.

Jean Dubuffet's "Monument with Standing Beast", a black and white fiberglass sculpture, is located on the plaza.