Crown Fountain
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Why go
- The video faces of about 1,000 Chicago residents, shown in random order on the two 15.2-metre glass-brick towers
- Water spouting from the mouths of the projected faces, from a nozzle 12 feet above the reflecting pool
- Wading and getting sprayed in the black granite reflecting pool, from about May 1 to October 31 when weather allows
- Two facing towers, where two randomly chosen faces seem to talk to each other
Opening hours
Today06:00 – 23:00Show all
About the work
- Artist
- Jaume Plensa, a Spanish artist Krueck + Sexton Architects carried out the build
- Material
- Black granite basin, glass-brick towers, LED screens The glass blocks are white, not the usual green
- Size
- Towers 15.2 m tall; basin 15 m by 71 m Each tower is 50 feet tall
Interesting facts6
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The city classed it as a work of art, not a building, so it was exempt from the height limit.
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44 stacked
Each tower is built from 44 stacked, welded grids that make its metal frame almost unseen.
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Students shot the faces with an HDW-F900 camera, the model used for the Star Wars prequels.
Crown Fountain - Wikipedia -
0.33 millimetres
The reflecting pool is only about 0.33 millimetres deep.
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Fins on the screens keep direct sunlight off the LEDs.
Crown Fountain - Wikipedia -
Single glass blocks can be removed for cleaning or repair without disrupting the display.
Crown Fountain - Wikipedia
Shorts
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History
Lester Crown and his family agreed in December 1999 to sponsor the fountain. Krueck + Sexton Architects took on the construction after two firms declined. The Crown family gave $10 million of the $17 million cost. Within hours, children were playing in the water. In November 2006 the city added surveillance cameras on top of the towers. They caused a public outcry and were removed the next day.
- 1999Lester Crown and his family agree to sponsor its construction.
- 2000Jaume Plensa wins the design contest over Lin and Venturi.
- 2001Students begin filming Chicago residents at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- 2004The fountain opens to the public in July, during the Millennium Park opening.
- 2006Surveillance cameras added to the towers in November are removed the next day.
Best time to visit
- The water play runs from about May 1 to October 31, weather permitting.
- Visitors most often cool off in the water on hot summer days.
- The video faces show year-round; in winter a shorter version plays without the final minute of puckering.
- The fountain is open every day from 06:00 to 23:00.
Accessibility
- Barrier-free design The interactive parts are open to people of all abilities.
Sources: Crown Fountain - Wikipedia · Crown Fountain - Wikipedia · Crown Fountain - Wikipedia · Crown Fountain: how it describes itself (its ow… · checked 27 Oct 2026
- Phone
- +1 312-742-1168
Questions and answers
What are the opening hours of Crown Fountain?
Crown Fountain is open every day from 06:00 to 23:00 at 201 E Randolph St in Millennium Park. The video faces on the towers show year-round.
When can you wade and play in the water at Crown Fountain?
The water play runs from about May 1 to October 31, weather permitting. The video faces keep showing the rest of the year.
Is Crown Fountain good for children?
Yes. Children are the usual players in the water at Crown Fountain, where they wade and get sprayed by the spouts.
Is Crown Fountain accessible for people with disabilities?
The design of Crown Fountain is barrier-free. Its interactive parts are open to people of all abilities.
How do I get to Crown Fountain?
Crown Fountain stands in Millennium Park, east of Michigan Avenue and north of Monroe Street. It is near the Art Institute of Chicago and beside Cloud Gate.
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