Chicago Architecture

Today Ira and I were on our own. We hopped on the 'L' and headed downtown. We snapped this photo just after we got off the train.

Chicago Theater Center

Later I found out that it is an early example of an American movie palace. It seats 3600 and is seven stories high. And during the era when movies were getting longer, it tried to transport the audience and provide an escape.

This morning we had planned to take the Architecture River Cruise, one that I had taken years back, but was so memorable I was happy to take it again. It didn't disappoint. The view of the architecturally significant buildings from the river was quite unique, in my opinion. And the commentary from the guide was helpful and insightful.

We started at 111 E. Wacker Drive, one of Mies van der Rohe's final designs, and the home of the Chicago Architecture Center. It's the black one one in the middle. It was built in the "International Style" which strives to celebrate the beauty of industrial materials.

111 E Wacker Drive

Fun Fact: The lobby of this building was turned into "The Daily Planet" for the 2016 film Batman v. Superman : Dawn of Justice.

Wrigley Building (on the far left)

Originally the headquarters for chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. after visiting the World Expo in Columbia, he was inspired by the white city and the light displays. This all white terracotta building is lit up at night Although they no longer hold offices in the building, a stipulation in the sale does not allow for the name of the building to be changed.

The Carbide and Carbon Building

The Burnham Brothers were originally commissioned to design and build the regional headquarters for the Carbide and Carbon company, inventors of the first dry cell battery. The tower is ornamented with 24 karat gold, albeit only 1/5000th of an inch thick. It's now a hotel and to honor the contributions of the original owners they continue to keep the gold spire lit.

Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)

In 1969 Sears Roebuck and Company employed around 350,000 people in Chicago and needed space to consolidate them. So they commissioned this 3 million square foot building. 

For nearly 25 years this building held the title of tallest building in the world at 110 stories.  It still holds the title of highest occupied floor in North America. The tower is a cluster of nine tubes that support each other for strength. The varied heights of the tubes disrupt the force of the wind. 

'You Are Here' Building or 300 South Wacker

This old building got an $800,000 face-lift in the form of this mural on its riverside.  It is a map of the Chicago river and surrounding streets. The building itself appears as a three dimensional red block that is back lit at night. 

St Regis Tower

The 3rd highest building in Chicago at 101 stories, behind Willis Tower and Trump Tower. It is the tallest building ever designed by a woman.

The Aqua Tower

The sightlines between the terraces were designed to encourage social interactions. The curved balconies were meant to resemble a vertical landscape with hills, valleys and pools.

A portion of Chicago's Riverwalk

And finally, on the cruise we were told that the city of Chicago mandates that any building on the river must create and develop the land along the water for public use, thus maintaining the Chicago Riverwalk, which we can confirm is a lovely way to enjoy the river.

That's it for now. The next blog is a fun one too. Stay tuned.

A dopo.