Siskel and Ebert Statue to Arrive at Chicago Office Site
The interactive bronze sculpture will be installed near Millennium Park for visitors to enjoy by early 2028.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Commercial
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A bronze statue honoring film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert will be installed at the One Two Pru office complex in early 2028. The six-foot-five interactive sculpture is part of a larger 2.2-million-square-foot property redevelopment in Chicago.
Why it matters
The sculpture serves as a new cultural landmark near Millennium Park, marking the next phase of a major commercial renovation that began in 2024. Property owners like Wanxiang America Real Estate Group are integrating public art to enhance the accessibility of the office complex.
The sculpture, titled Siskel & Ebert: Two Thumbs Up, features the pair standing behind theater seats to allow for interactive visitor photos. It will be installed on the west end of the Lake Street public plaza.
The players
Wanxiang America Real Estate Group
The commercial property owner and developer responsible for the One Two Pru office complex redevelopment.
Preston Jackson
The artist commissioned to design the interactive Siskel & Ebert bronze memorial statue.
Chicago Gateway Green
A local non-profit leading the public fundraising efforts to finance the memorial sculpture.
Pam Kasper
The campaign lead spearheading the public fundraising efforts for the memorial installation.
The details
Designed by Preston Jackson, the bronze statue depicts the critics in a configuration that invites passersby to sit beside them. Funding is currently being raised through a combination of corporate donations and a live Hollywood memorabilia auction led by Pam Kasper and Chicago Gateway Green. This installation coincides with a comprehensive modernization of the campus, with the next phase of property redevelopment scheduled by Wanxiang America to begin in 2027.
Timeline
November 14, 2026: The Hollywood memorabilia auction concludes.
Early 2028: Expected installation of the bronze statue.
The Home Front
The statue installation is a key element of the broader revitalization of Chicago's historic downtown office towers. This project reflects a citywide shift toward converting large-scale commercial real estate into more open, pedestrian-friendly public spaces.
Residents and visitors can track the progress of the public plaza upgrades on Lake Street as the project timeline moves toward 2028. Those interested in supporting the initiative can monitor the final results of the Hollywood memorabilia auction closing in late 2026.
The takeaway
The project represents a growing trend of integrating interactive art into the city's commercial hubs to improve public access. You can keep an eye on the Lake Street plaza redevelopment as construction continues through the 2027 phase.
Further reading
Learn more about local updates in the Chicago commercial real estate sector.
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