Wanxiang America Real Estate Group, owner of Prudential Plaza, announced the planned installation of a life-size bronze sculpture honoring famed film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert in Pru Plaza in Chicago.
The six-foot-five statue, called “Siskel & Ebert: Two Thumbs Up,” is an homage to the duo’s famous movie rating system. Featuring Siskel and Ebert standing behind their familiar theater seats, it is designed to be interactive, inviting visitors to take a seat alongside the pair.
Acclaimed Illinois sculptor, painter, and educator Preston Jackson, Professor Emeritus of Sculpture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, will create the statue. His public works honor notable figures in entertainment like Richard Pryor as well as individuals who left an indelible mark on the City of Chicago such as Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, Gwendolyn Brooks, Ernie Banks, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, Martin Luther King Jr., and Irv Kupcinet.
The project was conceived and is being spearheaded by Chicago film producer Pam Kasper, who is currently developing a documentary about Siskel and Ebert with Appian Way Productions and director Michael Bonfiglio. Kasper believes the duo deserves a permanent place in the city where their partnership began.
“Siskel & Ebert: Two Thumbs Up” is being funded by corporate donations and public fundraising via Chicago Gateway Green, a registered 501c3 organization, as well as a Hollywood memorabilia auction hosted by Heritage Auctions which is live now and runs through November 14th. Up for bid are television and movie items such as signed cast posters and lobby cards from “The Sound of Music,” “The Big Lebowski,” and “The Odyssey,” among others. Signed scripts, movie posters, experiential events such as a tour of the Brady Bunch home with Christopher Knight, and other items from studios including Sony, Paramount, Universal, and Lionsgate, are now available for viewing at
auction.siskelandebertstatue.org.
Both the Siskel and Ebert families support and have approved the statue and its design. Installation is expected in early 2028.
“Siskel and Ebert defined the movie experience for years, and their simple yet iconic thumbs up and thumbs down verdicts became part of American pop culture. We are proud to bring these beloved figures back to the City of Chicago just blocks away from their former offices,” said Wanxiang Managing Director Larry Krueger.
It’s been more than 50 years since Siskel and Ebert made their television debut on November 23, 1975, when Chicago public television station WTTW paired Siskel, film critic for the Chicago Tribune, and Ebert, film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, on “Opening Soon at a Theater Near You.” Their partnership lasted 25 years and produced three nationally syndicated programs: “Sneak Previews,” “At the Movies,” and “Siskel & Ebert.”
Pru
Completed in 1955, the iconic One Pru was the first skyscraper built in Chicago following the Great Depression and World War II. Two Pru was completed in 1990. Together they span 2.2 million square feet.
In early 2024, ownership successfully finalized a loan modification—a milestone that marked the official launch of a major, multimillion-dollar capital campaign aimed at reimagining and reinvigorating the iconic property. Phase one, which brought an additional 30,000 square feet of best-in-class amenities to the property and a brand new lobby at Randolph St., is just about complete. The last of the enhancements—new lobbies on the mezzanine and along Lake Street—will debut in early January. Phase two is set to launch in 2027.
Pru Plaza enjoys a prime location at the center of the East Loop’s pedestrian and commuter hub and is where Metra’s Millennium Station and the Pedway connect, bringing significant daily traffic to the property. It is situated across the street from Millennium Park with a dynamic mix of ground-floor retailers and restaurants and is steps from the city’s most iconic attractions, including Pritzker Pavilion, The Bean, Maggie Daley Park, Grant Park, The Magnificent Mile, and The Art Institute of Chicago.
Riverside Investment & Development (RID) oversees leasing and asset management at Pru. Colliers handles property management.
Pru is majority owned by Wanxiang America Real Estate Group, which bought the property in 2018.
