After nearly a year of construction, Anish Kapoor’s iconic Cloud Gate sculpture, “The Bean,” is set to reopen. The sculpture is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city.
The construction at Grainger Plaza in Millennium Park, which restricted access to the sculpture, was necessary for maintenance. This included rebuilding the plaza podium, replacing pavers, and implementing accessibility upgrades such as new stairs, ramps, and a waterproofing system. Cloud Gate has been closed since last August and was initially expected to reopen earlier this spring.
“Weather permitting, we expect to reopen the plaza to the public before the end of the month,” a spokesperson from Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events told WGN.
Standing 33 feet high, 42 feet wide, and 66 feet long, Cloud Gate (2006) is one of the world’s largest public art installations and the leading tourist attraction in the Midwest. The $23 million sculpture consists of 168 stainless steel plates welded together and polished to a mirror finish, making it a favorite spot for selfies and photographs.
Last year, Kapoor unveiled a “Mini Bean” sculpture in New York to mixed reviews. The 19-foot-high, 40-ton sculpture reportedly cost between $8 to $10 million.
