Monday, August 31, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: Battle of Princeton


In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Yet another piece of rock from yet another Revolutionary War battle in New Jersey.  This time it's probably the Battle of Princeton .
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Glaring Admission



The toughest pigeon in the Loop glares at lunchtime picnickers who dare intrude on his territory at the Chase Tower, 10 South Dearborn Street.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: Trenton, New Jersey


In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Seeking Sailors


A crowd of sad sailboats wait at 2561 South Paulina Street on the shoreline for some sailor to love them.  This photo was taken in late July, so chances are they're not going to see any wave action this year.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: Cathedral of Notre Dame in Reims



In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Shameful Skyline

The famous Chicago skyline in the background is eclipsed by a skyline of refuse in the foreground at 2542 South Wood Street.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: Battle of Trenton


In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
A battlefield in Trenton, New Jersey; possibly from the Battle of Trenton .
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: No Window Unsmashed


A pair of industrial facilities lie derelict on Chicago's South Side.  Between the two of them, only one window remains intact.  The silos at 2860 South Damen Avenue were built in the 1930's.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: American Pilgrim Museum


In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: An Aisle of History


A gently sloping walkway surrounds people with the history of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, at Canal Origins Park at 2701 South Ashland Avenue where the I&M once connected the Chicago River with points east.

Today, the former canal confluence has been filled in and capped by an industrial park.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: Mount Pentelicus


In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Angling in Bubbly Creek


A pair of anglers cast their lines into what was once Chicago's infamous Bubbly Creek.  The waterway is much improved since the days when chickens would walk across mats of rotting animal guts and it would occasionally catch fire.  The city actually encourages fishing here, and nearby at Canal Origins Park at 2701 South Ashland Avenue are ranks of fishing pole holders installed by the Park Department.

The indentation in the riverbank on the left is the location where the Illinois and Michigan Canal once joined the South Branch of the Chicago River.  It is now an industrial park.

The Irresistible Z-Pod

Regular readers of this blog will remember that within hours of architect Zaha Hadid's pavilion being unveiled at Millennium Park, people were stepping all over it, leaving sneaker prints in something that took other people months of hard work to create.

The solution was to put up barriers to remind people not to destroy things that don't belong to them.  From what we can see, a stronger reminder is needed because chains or no chains, they're going to stick their feet all over the thing no matter what.


Friday, August 21, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: Cartagena Fortress


In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Nubbin Watch

The Chicago Tribune has a brief piece today about the WDRV transmitter on top of the Aon Center.  When the new antenna was installed on May 31, 2009 we Tweeted about it, and posted a picture of the installation.  I'm re-posting the picture here for those who missed it.


For numbers junkies, the new antenna is 1,214 feet above ground level.

Some people don't like the new nubbin because it ruins the perceived flat top of the Aon Center.  Those of us who can see Aon's roof have always known it was anything but flat.  But I can understand why people may not like it.  It's a pretty big change.  The only thing that bothers me about it, though, is that it's not centered so it looks a little weird.

Hotel Cedar Open Again

After what seemed like an eternity of sitting empty and abandoned, the Gold Coast's Cedar Hotel (1118 North State Street) is open once again.

Not too long ago there were grand plans for the Cedar, but then economic realities caught up with the owner, and one thing failed to lead to another.

Now the place is open once again as a restaurant, and not a bad one, either.  I had the best ruben I've ever had in Chicago here.  It's a dry, barely-krauted sammitch that's billed as Chicago style.  My wife had nothing but good things to say about her fried chicken sandwich.  And this is the first place we've found in Chicago that offers cheese curds as an appetizer.  We ordered them, but it turned out that the kitchen was curdless so we did without an appetizer.



The Cedar Hotel used to be a hangout for some of the worst sort of people who gravitated to the Viagra Triangle area trying to prove that age hadn't affected their manliness.  The Cedar Hotel management has stated in the past that it's interested in being a neighborhood joint, not a haven for cruisers.  They might go a long way toward discouraging the misogynistic douchebag crowd from returning if the waitresses were dressed a little less like Hooters girls, and didn't have "Vacancy" stamped on their uniform shirts just above their butts.  Some of us don't require the services of the neighborhood's eponymous pharmaceutical, so having a dozen muffin tops bouncing around while we lunch is unnecessarily sleazy.

Slice of Life: Hanging Out


A pair of maintenance workers survey the city around them from a gondola suspended about 60 stories above the ground from the roof of 900 North Michigan Avenue.

Fixing The Burnham Pavilions

Much has been written here and elsewhere about the damage done to the architectural exhibits in Millennium Park intended to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Burnham Plan that, instead, were treated like jungle gyms by ill-behaved children and adults.

The good news is that repairs are being made, and by the time you read this should be complete.  Here's some pictures of the work in progress:

  

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Not Much Information: That Honkeytonk Place


From the Not Much Information file: Remember that honkeytonk-looking joint on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Dearborn Street?  Remember how it closed about a year ago?  Well, it's back -- this time as a pizzeria.

Lake Point Tower turns 40

1969 was a great year for Chicago architecture.  Across the city buildings large and small were going up in a frenzy of cranes, and bricks, and steel.

One of those buildings marking its progression into middle age is Lake Point Tower (505 North Lake Shore Drive).

Paul LeRoux, over at LPT sent us a packet of information related to the building's anniversary, including a neat brochure with some great photography of the building by Bart Shore and Anthony R. Vizzari we hadn't seen before.



If you'd like to see the brochure, there's a copy on the Lake Point Tower 40th Anniversary web site, or you can buy one in the management office for a buck.

Mr. LeRoux also sent over a video about the tower, which highlights many of its fabulous views.  You can view the video here:



If you're low bandwidth, or would like a DVD version, it's available in the management office for $5.00.

There are several private events scheduled to celebrate Lake Point Tower, but there's also a public event. October 28th the developer and architect will take part in a symposium at 12:15pm at the Chicago Architecture Foundation (224 South Michigan Avenue).  Also at the symposium will be Edward Windhorst, and Kevin Harrington the authors of an upcoming book titled Lake Point Tower, A Design History.  It is due to be released in mid-September.

In addition to these efforts, the people at Lake Point Tower are getting all social with their building.  Here are blog, Twitter, and Flickr links.

Here's some Lake Point Tower trivia:
  • It's the only residential building east of Lake Shore Drive.
  • It is surrounded on three sides by water.
  • It has a private park and pond.
  • It is in the American Institute of Architects list of the top 150 most loved pieces of architecture in America.
  • A number of architects live and have lived at Lake Point Tower, along with sports stars and other celebrities.
  • Celebrities who have lived at Lake Point Tower
    • Goldie Hawn
    • Tom Cruise
    • Alice cooper
    • Kurt Russell
    • Halle Berry
    • Natalie Cole
  • Sports stars who have lived at Lake Point Tower
    • Sammy Sosa
    • Scottie Pippen
    • Ozzie Guillen
    • Ryne Sandberg
  • The lobby has two waterfalls.
  • The common area has free wifi for the residents.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Notre Dame de Rouen



In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: On a Clear Day You Can See Oak Park



The newer high rises of Chicago's Near North Side and Gold Coast look across what was once the Illinois prairie.  On a clear day, you can see the buildings of Oak Park, the smoke stacks near Morris, and the hills beyond.  With the proper optics... who knows?

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: Santo Domingo Church



In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
The Church of Santo Domingo in Panama City.
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Don't Cross the Fuller Street Bridge


Don't cross the Fuller Street Bridge.  Why?  Because it doesn't exist anymore.  This is the location where the bridge once crossed a portion of the Chicago River, linking homes in Bridgeport to factories on the other side.  It was a center-pivot swing bridge, but exists only in history books now.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: The Berlin Wall


In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Off Topic: Illinois Sales Tax Hike on Candy

It's not very often I go off topic in this blog, but I thought I would in this case because I haven't seen this reported anywhere else:

Red Alert: The sales tax rate is going up on candy!

Chicago was once the candy-making capitol of the Midwest.  Though Brachs is long gone, and Fannie May is made in Ohio now, people who live here still have a sweet tooth.  Think about the number of candy stores, confectioners, manufacturers, cupcake joints, and other sweeteries in just the Loop and Near North areas.  I can think of a dozen off the top of my head, and more are coming (new cupcake joint will arrive at Block 37 / 108 North State Street next month).

So today (because in addition to this blog, there is a retail arm of the Artefaqs Corporation empire) I was notified by the Illinois Department of Revenue of yet another sales tax change.  Starting September 1, 2009 the following items will no longer be taxed at the "low" rate applied to food:

  • Chocolate bars
  • Yogurt or chocolate covered fruit or nuts
  • Honey coated nuts
  • Caramel popcorn
  • Lollipops
  • Snack mixes containing yogurt or chocolate
  • Breath mints
  • Gum

Instead, they will be taxed at the "high" rate, which means at least 10.25% in Chicago.  But if the item you choose to slake your sweet tooth contains flour, or is all natural, then it goes back into the food category, and thus the "low" tax rate:

  • Chocolate covered cookies
  • Yogurt covered pretzels
  • Plain dried fruits
  • Nuts with no added sweeteners
  • Any candy that contains flour

Reminds me of when I lived in New Jersey, and popcorn was taxed as a snack, but the unpopped kernels were taxed as food.

The state of Illinois has also changed its definition of "soft drink" so that more items can be taxed at the "high" rate, or in Chicago -- the "super-high" rate.  A "soft drink" is now:
"...any non-alcoholic beverage containing natural or artifical sweeteners.  This includes, but is not limited to soda, sport or energy drinks, sweetened tea, waters containing natural or artificial sweeteners, beverages containing 50% or less fruit or vegetable juice, and all other preparations commonly known as soft drinks."
Of course, Chicago has its own soft drink tax, plus a bottle tax, so when you down a Vitamin Water from Jewel after September 1 it will cost you 13.25% in tax, plus an extra 5 cents for the bottle.  For those of you keeping score at home, two years ago this month it was possible to buy a 20 ounce bottle of Vitamin Water in Chicago for 99 cents.  This week I've seen it as high as $1.89 a bottle at Potash.  When this new tax goes into effect, say hello to $2.00 Vitamin Water.

As an aside, the state is also raising the sales tax on personal hygiene products, including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, and sunscreen.  Wouldn't want Illinoians to smell too good, or be too healthy.

For those of you who want to look all this up, the source is the FY 2010-01 July 2009 Illinois Department of Revenue Informational Bulletin.  I don't know if it's online or not, since my copy came through the mail in dead tree form.

Slice of Life: Flowers Versus Fisk



The Fisk Generating Station pushes who-knows-what out of its smokestack in Pilsen while wildflowers along Chicago's infamous Bubbly Creek clean the air.

If you're the sort of person who believe what's written in Wikipedia, the coal and kerosene burning plant at 1111 West Cermak Road is not obligated to follow air quality standards outlined in the Clean Air Act because of its age.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Slice of Life: Rats and Rust


The Willis Tower peeks through the rusty superstructure of a Norfolk South railroad bridge.  Someone has helpfully spray painted a warning that there are rats nearby.  Or not.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Kronborg Castle


In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Kronborg Castle , in Helsingør, Denmark.  Contrary to what is written on the Tribune Tower, there is no "Hamlet's Castle" in Denmark.
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: Suleymaniye Mosque

 In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Towers and Stalks


Native plants compete for attention with ComEd transmission lines in a patch of restored prairie along what used to be Bubbly Creek.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: World Trade Center


In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Trump Above the Tracks


If the Wabash elevated line continued north, it would plow right through the Trump International Hotel and Tower at 401 North Wabash Avenue.  Too bad it doesn't, because the combination of massive tower, a drawbridge over the river, and a passage through a building would certainly be a great engineering feat, and make a heck of a great post card.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: Ehrenbreitstein Fortress


In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

Slice of Life: Mather Will Not Go Quitetly Into The Night


Chicago's historic Mather Tower at 75 East Wacker Drive will not sit down and be quiet while everyone gawks at the Trump Tower behind it.

Mather demands, "You will respect my historah!"

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Chicago Brick of the Day: Forbidden City Bridge


In an effort to showcase the magnificent architecture of Chicago's Tribune Tower, and to help people understand just how powerful and influential the Chicago Tribune newspaper once was, the Chicago Architecture Blog presents: Chicago Brick of the Day.
Today's brick is from:
Each day we'll show a photograph of a rock, brick, or other piece of stonework embedded in the exterior of the Tribune Tower .
If you haven't done it yet, play tourist for a couple of hours and wander around the outside of 435 North Michigan Avenue and marvel at an architectural work that will not be equalled in our lifetimes.

For History, Turn Wright on State Street


The nearest building to downtown Chicago that Frank Lloyd Wright had a hand in is the Charnley House, at 1365 North Astor Street in the Gold Coast.  But a little closer is an often-overlooked Wrightian building that many people assume is new, not old.

The Mariano Park Pavilion at 1031 North State Street is the fulcrum of the area known as Viagra Triangle, at the intersection of North State Street and North Rush Street.  These days the pavilion houses a Whispers cafe, and is a regular stop for many people who live in the area and for the occasional tourist that ventures into the neighborhood.

Although it looks like a reproduction of Prairie School architecture, it's actually the real thing.  It was built in 1895 and designed by Birch Burdette Long.  He was on Frank Lloyd Wright's staff before going out on his own.

The pavilion was renovated in 1979 and contains many easily-overlooked details.  Pay particular attention to the glazed columns flanking the service window, and the details under the roof gables.

Most people just think of it as a place for a quick cup of coffee, but it only takes a few minutes of quiet inspection to develop a different appreciation for this gem hidden right under our noses.

Slice of Life: The Abandoned Damen Silos


A bright, shiny new barge sits in front of the abandoned South Damen Avenue silos.  We haven't been able to find out much about them, but preliminary research seems to indicate they weren't for grain -- but for sand for some kind of glassworks.

Monday, August 10, 2009

A Trump Project Gets Less Tacky


It seems counter-intuitive, but a Donald Trump building has actually gotten less tacky recently.

With the removal of the exterior crane, and significant progress being made on the ground- and river-level retail at the Trump International Hotel and Tower, the big "Trump" banners that used to cling to the concrete columns have come off.

All that remains on the support structure at 401 North Wabash is smooth, sleek, lickable* stainless steel.

Now we anxiously await word of what retail will occupy this space.

* Please don't lick the Trump Tower.  There's probably germs.

TweetEcho: August 3-9, 2009

For those of you who don't subscribe to our Twitter feed, here are the items we tweeted in the last week or so:



  1. One of Chicago's Burnham Pavilions in Millennium Park is so badly damaged, it will close for repairs: http://bit.ly/ASaM2
  2. Tourists damage Chicago's first Burnham pavilion enough that it's now off-limits: http://bit.ly/3Q3Dld
  3. Attention, tourists! Download your free map of Chicago's tallest skyscrapers: http://bit.ly/6iMhk
  4. I see something huge on fire toward the western horizon (suburbs?). Anyone know what's burning?
  5. Beautiful moon tonight. That bright star next to it is Jupiter. If you missed tonight, look for it tomorrow.
  6. RT @StephanieIzard its official!!! the drunken goat coming to 809-813 W Randolph in january!!!! signed, sealed delivered!!
  7. Another new steakhouse coming to Chicago's Near North Side: http://bit.ly/3RDhMQ
  8. "Zaha! There It Is!" Millennium Park's second Burnham pavilion opens seven weeks late: http://bit.ly/D5lR6
  9. Did you know that Chicago has ANOTHER riverwalk? Pics and video: http://bit.ly/wyX8M
  10. Pictures and information about three new Chicago hotels planned for the Near North Side: http://bit.ly/13JPUF
  11. Don't freak out when you see lots of military activity along Chicago's lakefront. The FBI & SWAT are training all this week.