Quiet Sunday, Fisher Building

Chicago Views VI: 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Apartments

Skyway, Wrigley Building

Looming View, Loop

Palmolive Building

Papa Willis, Loop

The Towers of Merch Mart, River North

Chicago Cultural Center

 

Over the summer I was able to photograph the Chicago Cultural Center, a truly remarkable building.  Here’s a bit a history on the one of Chicago’s architectural marvels.

The Chicago Cultural Center is a landmark building located at 78 E Washington Street at Michigan Avenue in the Loop.  Designed by architect C.A. Collidge and Robert C. Spencer, construction began over 115 years ago in 1893 and was completed in 1897 for the cost of 2 million dollars.  The building was originally home to the Chicago Public Library and Grand Army of Republic Museum.  The massive building has a neoclassical style with Italian Renaissance elements in its symmetry and proportion cladded with Indiana limestone.  The marble on the inside features mosaics and ornate bronze balusters.  Up the stairs a stained glass Tiffany dome, 38 feet in diameter, highlights the center.

Prentice Tower, Streeterville

It is still up in the air on whether Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Prentice Building will receive the old wrecking ball.  Plans for a new tower have not been funded and preservationists are working with city officials to save the building from demolition.  The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named the Prentice Building one of the 11 most endangered historic places in the nation.  While preservationists have succeeded at creating some attention, it does not mean the building will become a Chicago landmark which would guarantee its survival.  The question that I have is whether the building is worth saving?  Any thoughts?

Ogilvie, West Loop

Working Weekends, 300 N LaSalle

Transparent City 2 of 5: Patterned Windows

Hotel 71

Fisher Building

My take on Michael Wolf's Transparent City Exhibit

Chicago Tribune

Pictured above is the Tribune Tower in all its glory.  Last night the Chicago Tribune hosted a book-signing party for the release of "Chicago in Season: A Collection of Images By the Chicago Tribune Photographers."  Inside is a rare look at city of Chicago through the eyes of some of the nation's best photographers. 

the Merch Mart

Merchandise Mart

Fisher Building

Located at 343 S Dearborn, the 20-story neo-Gothic Fisher Building is a Chicago Landmark.  Floors 1 and 2 are designated for commercial use and 3 through 20 are apartments.  If you look closely, especially from the L platform at Library, State and Van Buren, you will see terra-cotta carvings of several different aquatic and mystical figures.