Where was Divergent filmed?

Divergent opens with a visually striking scene set in a futuristic Chicago. As the sun rises over a barren field, a rusted ship lies abandoned on land, hinting at a past that has been drastically altered. Lake Michigan appears dried chiefly up, symbolizing a world vastly different from what we know today.

The inhabitants of this dystopian city are divided into factions, each distinguished by uniform colors that reflect their societal roles. Beatrice (Shailene Woodley) and her family belong to the Abnegation faction, known for their selflessness and lack of ambition for power. Dressed in light grey clothing, they've earned the nickname 'Stiffs.'

In this context, the humble Abnegation village is an iconic location. The village, a cluster of identical grey cube units nestled amidst verdant greenery in the city's heart, was physically constructed for the film. The opportunity arose when a parcel of land located at the southwest corner of West Harrison Street and South Wells Street, adjacent to the Chicago River, became available for purchase. In the shadow of Willis Tower, the Hub, this location allowed the production team to build 16 temporary structures that formed the Abnegation village. Although the site doesn't resemble its cinematic counterpart today, it still carries the atmosphere portrayed in the film.

If you wish to visit this location, you can find it at the intersection of South Wells Street and West Harrison Street in Chicago. However, please be aware that the structures built for the film no longer exist. The site is conveniently situated in the city's heart, offering various transportation options, including metro lines, buses, or walking.

A pivotal scene unfolds as Beatrice (Shailene Woodley) and her brother Caleb (Ansel Elgort) join other 16-year-olds at the station to take their aptitude tests. This test determines which faction they are best suited for, a decision that will shape their futures. Amidst this tension, Peter (Miles Teller), a member of the Candor faction, taunts the Abnegation children, blaming them for the shortage of supplies. As Beatrice grapples with uncertainty about where she belongs, she takes the test overseen by Tori (Maggie Q).

This memorable scene was shot at the Equitable Building on the east side of Pioneer Court Plaza in Chicago. The filmmakers added five doorways to the building to create the setting for the aptitude tests. This location is near the Michigan Avenue Bridge, tucked under the iconic Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower, home to a striking statue of Shakespeare's King Lear.

The Equitable Building is a neoclassical skyscraper designed in 1935 by Ernest R. Graham, with Peirce Anderson as the architect-in-charge. Despite its cinematic transformation, the building has maintained its original look, allowing visitors to enter a piece of Divergent history.

To visit the Equitable Building, head to Pioneer Court Plaza in Chicago. It's accessible via Michigan Avenue, close to the city's well-known Magnificent Mile shopping district. It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the city center by bus or metro line.

As the ceremony begins, the newly initiated individuals approach a table adorned with five bowls and a knife. They each cut their hands and let a drop of blood fall into the bowls, symbolizing their choice of faction. Tris (Shailene Woodley), to the astonishment of her family, chooses the Dauntless, known for their warrior-like qualities and active lifestyles. Her brother Caleb (Ansel Elgort) opts for the intellectual Erudite faction.

This pivotal scene occurs at the Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist, 55 East Upper Wacker Drive in Chicago. The Choosing Ceremony takes place in a distinctive setting, with the church's semi-circular design and minimalist aesthetic creating a unique backdrop. This modern-style Christian Science church, constructed in 1968, even briefly appeared in the climactic battle scene of "Transformers: Dark Of The Moon."

The church is still operational today, allowing film fans to visit and soak up the atmosphere of this iconic location. To get there, you can use public transportation or drive to the intersection of East Upper Wacker Drive and North Wabash Avenue in downtown Chicago. From Equitable Building, it's only a 5-minute walk. You have several transportation options from downtown Chicago – whether by car, metro lines, or private vehicle.

An adrenaline-packed scene unfolds as members of the Dauntless faction participate in a high-stakes game of Capture The Flag. Under the leadership of Eric (Jai Courtney) and Four (Theo James), the group is divided into two teams and transported to an abandoned amusement park. Armed with guns loaded with darts that mimic the pain of a gunshot, they strategize their approach. Tris, however, grows impatient with the discussions and acts independently, seeking a higher vantage point to locate the opposing team's flag and forces.

This thrilling sequence was shot at Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue on Lake Michigan, east of the Streeterville district in Chicago. Tris ascends a tower on the far east side of the pier to capture the flag. Navy Pier is a bustling hub that draws over nine million visitors annually, making it one of the most frequented attractions in the Midwestern United States and the second-most popular tourist site in Chicago. It offers various features, including parks (such as Polk Bros Park), gardens, shops, restaurants, family attractions, and exhibition facilities.

You can take public transportation or drive to Navy Pier to visit this iconic filming location. It's easily accessible from downtown Chicago and offers ample parking for visitors. The Red Line train journey from downtown Chicago takes approximately 30 minutes from downtown Chicago.

Tris (Shailene Woodley) visits her brother Caleb (Ansel Elgort) at the Erudite headquarters. As a Dauntless member, her presence amongst the Erudites raises eyebrows. She warns Caleb of her suspicion that the Erudites will seize control over the other factions, starting with Abnegation. However, Caleb, now fully immersed in the Erudite mindset, chooses his faction loyalty over family ties. A heartbroken Tris departs when she realizes her brother won't assist her.

This scene was filmed at the intersection of E. 57th Street and S. Ellis Avenue in Chicago. Following her emotional confrontation with Caleb, Tris walks east on 57th Street. The distinct glass elliptical dome in the background is the University of Chicago’s Mansueto Library at 1100 East 57th Street in Hyde Park.

The Mansueto Library, designed by the renowned Chicago-based architect Helmut Jahn, is a state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2011. It features a glass-domed reading room perched above high-density closed bookstacks, accessible through an automated storage and retrieval system. The library welcomes visitors, making it an exciting destination for fans of the film who want to experience this iconic location firsthand.

To visit Mansueto Library, you can take public transportation or drive to the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus. The library is easily accessible from downtown Chicago by bus or metro line. The journey by public transport will take approximately 40 minutes, while it's just a 15-minute drive by car.

Tris (Shailene Woodley) finds herself in danger, only to be rescued by her mother, Natalie (Ashley Judd). At this moment, Tris realizes that her mother was once a member of Dauntless herself. Armed with their adversaries' weapons, they defend themselves against incoming threats. When Will (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) shoots at them, Tris is forced to kill him, an action that leaves her distraught. However, she finds comfort in her mother's reassurances. Their escape continues, but tragedy strikes when Natalie is shot and dies, leaving Tris grief-stricken.

This intense scene was filmed at 121 W Madison St, Chicago. Given the nature of the chase sequence, it's likely that several nearby locations were also used during filming. Today, the area remains similar to how it appeared in the film, featuring various restaurants, cafes, and landmarks like Millennium Park.

Whether you're an aficionado of the movie eager to see these renowned filming locations in person or simply a lover of Chicago's deep-rooted film heritage, this area provides a distinctive peek into the universe of Divergent. To reach this spot, you can use public transit or drive to 121 W Madison St., downtown Chicago's heart. If you opt for public transportation, it's a mere 10-minute journey to the downtown area.