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Korean Airlines buses in Seoul use the Chicago skyline to tempt Koreans into visiting America.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Chicago Sighting: Chicago IS America
Korean Airlines buses in Seoul use the Chicago skyline to tempt Koreans into visiting America.
Chicago Brick of the Day: The Alamo
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.
Pepsi's Chicago Wind Farm
There have been a lot of cases lately of private corporations taking over public spaces from the taxpayers. But in Chicago, one company is doing the opposite.
Chicago is home to a regional office of Pepsico, and it recently located in a new building at 555 West Monroe Street. One of the features of the building is a public park on the podium's roof. It's just two stories above the cacophony below, but it is an oasis in an area desperate for greenspace.
Most people don't know it exists. You enter through a dedicated elevator from an anonymous foyer on Monroe Street. Once upstairs, there are some patches of grass, a few plantings, and lots of tables and chairs for a picnic.
Most impressive, however, is the rooftop wind and solar energy farm. Here's a video showing the turbines and panels. That noise you hear in the video isn't the turbines, it's the sound of nearby construction.
The farm and the green roof are two of the contributing factors that helped this building attain its LEED status. And for as long as the roof remains a public amenity, we're happy to have Pepsico in the neighborhood.
Most people don't know it exists. You enter through a dedicated elevator from an anonymous foyer on Monroe Street. Once upstairs, there are some patches of grass, a few plantings, and lots of tables and chairs for a picnic.
Most impressive, however, is the rooftop wind and solar energy farm. Here's a video showing the turbines and panels. That noise you hear in the video isn't the turbines, it's the sound of nearby construction.
The farm and the green roof are two of the contributing factors that helped this building attain its LEED status. And for as long as the roof remains a public amenity, we're happy to have Pepsico in the neighborhood.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Chicago Brick of the Day: Nidaros Cathedral
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 Nidaros Cathedral in Trondhjem, Norway . There is no "Trondhjem Cathedral."
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.
Status Update: MetraMarket
A lot of people, including us, have a lot of high hopes for the MetraMarket at the Ogilvie Transporatation Center, 500 West Randolph Street. There have been many announcements made -- most recently, that Lavazza will open there. But this is the first time we've seen an actual store-specific "coming soon" sign. In the tiny box at the center of this pic, you can see "CVS/Pharmacy Coming Soon."
Hope springs eternal.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Chicago Brick of the Day: Wartburg 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:
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.
The Death of a Museum
It was with lofty goals and booming, professional voices that several years ago it was announced that Chicago would be the home of the new Museum of Broadcast Communications. Backed by some of the biggest names in regional broadcasting, the new museum building was going to be a major draw for tourists with fond memories of Midwestern broadcast personalities.
Today, the museum exists only in a virtual state. It has an internet presence at www.Museum.tv, but no actual physical building.
Back in the 80's, there really was a Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. It was down at River City (800 South Wells Street) in the South Loop. In the 90's it moved to the Chicago Cultural Center. But that location closed in 2003 after the new building was announced at State and Kinzie. That building, however, has failed to come together.
What was supposed to be a 62,000 square-foot facility has been abandoned for the same reason most projects are these days -- lack of money. The museum is looking for other options, but the Near North Side project appears dead.
Considering the hush and affection with which local TV anchors talk of the museum, it's a shame that more of them haven't opened their wallets to the cause. Then again, many of them have lost part or all of their retirement savings by investing in the media sector while it collapsed around them.
Like Christmas Windows for Architecture Nerds
At Christmastime, families walk along the Loop's sidewalks admiring the wares on offer in department store windows, and children gaze longingly at the things they hope Santa Claus will bring them. What's going on at a West Loop architecture firm is something like that.
Unlike most architecture firms that retreat to the rarified atmosphere of Chicago's tallest buildings, M+W Zander has its offices on the ground floor of an old West Loop warehouse. And instead of keeping its models exclusive to clients and museum boards, M+W is proud to showcase what it's working on in its storefront windows.
While Zander's designs tend toward long, low office buildings and laboratories, the exhibits are compelling enough to make you stare for quite a while. If you have a few minutes to kill before jumping on the Metra to head home for the evening, it might be worth a quick detour to 549 West Randolph Street to see what this firm is working on.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Slice of Life: Two Trains That Pass on the Right
Two CTA Brown Line trains pass one another on the upper level of the Wells Street Bridge over the Chicago River while cars and pedestrians do the same on the level below.
Chicago Brick of the Day: Great Wall of China
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.
Going Under Michigan Avenue
I still haven't had a chance to explore all the bits of Chicago's new riverwalk yet. But the parts that I've seen impress me. The best part is the path beneath Michigan Avenue.
Not just a concrete path, the designers actually made room for some leafy bits -- a little oasis where one can sit and watch the river traffic without being obligated to buy a beer from a nearby vendor.
When I lived at Lakeshore East I spent a lot of time roaming the lower levels of streets underneath the city to avoid snow and wind on my way home from work. The worst part was always crossing Lower Michigan Avenue. I don't know how this will look in the winter, but maybe it will provide an alternative to stepping over ancient trash and stacks of homeless people piled on top of each other like gerbils for warmth.
Monday, July 27, 2009
TweetEcho: July 20-26, 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:
Chicago Brick of the Day: Saint Michael's Monastery
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.
Status Update: 930 North Rush
It's supposed to be upscale retail, of the sort that has fled the mallification of Michigan Avenue for the side streets. Last we read (in Crain's) was that Varvatos, the men's clothier, is going in that location.
We also hear that the remaining stores on that stretch of Walton Place may not be long for this world.
There's a shoe repair shop and a subterranean jazz club frequently mentioned on WDCB. Someone from the club is telling people that in 2011 the brownstones between 930 and the brand new Walgreen's may be demolished. To make way for what, we haven't heard.
And apropos of nothing -- Since we mentioned WDCB/Glen Ellyn, there's good news for Chicago jazz fans. 90.9 is no longer the only jazz station in town. Clear Channel has moved the smooth jazz music formerly heard on Mega95.5 to WNUA-HD2/Chicago. It's not much, but we'll take whatever we can get.
Status Update: Children's Memorial Hospital
The new Children's Memorial Hospital (officially, The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Memorial Hospital of Chicago) continues its growth spurt at 225 East Chicago Avenue. The steel frame of the building is rising at what seems like a remarkable speed. In this photo, it's up to the 12th floor, but by the time you read this (most of our articles are written a couple of days in advance), it will likely be up to 14 or even 15 of its eventual 22 stories.
No, we're not going to express an opinion about the proposed heliport for the facility.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Chicago Brick of the Day: Saint Peter's Basilica Again
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:
Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome . This is the second Saint Peter's artifact we've found on the Trib Tower.
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.
Unfurling at The Elysian
New banners have been unfurled over the second floor windows at the Elysian Chicago, 11 East Walton Street.
The signs promise that the hotel will open in "Summer 2009," wrapping up a closely watched construction process for this highly anticipated property.
For those who don't remember, this was formerly the location of a run down 7-Eleven that was a staple of the neighborhood vagrants.
But don't worry -- Walgreen's plans to start selling booze at its locations, soon. You know -- because between the cup shakers outside and Hollywood stars getting arrested inside, there aren't enough problems at the Walgreen's at Chicago and State (757 North Michigan Avenue).
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Slice of Life: Day of the Ducks
OK, they're not ducks. They're geese. But either way, they've taken over part of Lincoln Park.
Here's some Lincoln Park ducks just so you don't think I don't know the difference between ducks and geese.
Chicago Brick of the Day: A Cambodian Two-Fer
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 Ta Prohm temple, and Banteay Srei temple in Angkor, Cambodia.
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: Which Button is Mr. Pibb?
It's not Beijing. It's not even Chinatown. It's the Coke fountain at Wow Bao in Water Tower Place, 845 North Michigan Avenue right here in the Gold Coast.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Slice of Life: A Walk Along the Lake
Stony Silence in Streeterville
It was with minor hoopla last year that a surface parking lot and a beloved neighborhood hot dog stand were razed to make way for a residential condominium project at 560 North Fairbanks. Since then, some dirt was trucked away, some bright yellow machinery moved some dirt around, and then it was covered with stones and apparently forgotten.
The stones remained silent for so long that the chain link fence was taken down and a nicer fence erected.
Then, the day after we took this picture, bulldozers showed up and started moving dirt again. What does this mean? We're not sure. If we were optimists we'd say it means there's hope once again for the 58-story, 787-foot-tall building. But we're not.
Chicago Brick of the Day: Pyramids of Giza
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.
Start Spreadin' the News on Michigan Avenue
Last week we noted the disappearance of two of the city's higher-profile newsstands. The kiosk on the corner of Chicago and Michigan Avenues and the one at the corner of State and Division Streets in front of the Washington Mutual at 1200 North State Parkway both disappeared last week to be replaced with fresh pads of gleaming concrete.
A note tacked to a light pole on Chicago Avenue noted that the kiosk would return, and indeed, it has.
Monday, a City Lights truck and crane showed up with a brand new newsstand from JCDecaux. The new kiosk is the same as the other new ones already in place in The Loop and matches the rest of the motif the city uses for its street furniture, harkening back to Chicago heydays of the 1930's.
The crane had some trouble getting it in place because of a stray electrical line and the face that the kiosk goes under a tree. But after a little while, the crews managed to figure it out.
In what feels like a bit of irony, the newsstand is getting new life just as the Borders store across the street at 830 North Michigan Avenue gets ready to close for good. Regulars have told us that there are a number of subtle signs that preparations are already underway for the shuttering of the readery. Chief among them, is the removal of several formerly prominent shelving units, leaving gaps in what would otherwise be prime retailing space.
A note tacked to a light pole on Chicago Avenue noted that the kiosk would return, and indeed, it has.
The crane had some trouble getting it in place because of a stray electrical line and the face that the kiosk goes under a tree. But after a little while, the crews managed to figure it out.
In what feels like a bit of irony, the newsstand is getting new life just as the Borders store across the street at 830 North Michigan Avenue gets ready to close for good. Regulars have told us that there are a number of subtle signs that preparations are already underway for the shuttering of the readery. Chief among them, is the removal of several formerly prominent shelving units, leaving gaps in what would otherwise be prime retailing space.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Chicago Brick of the Day: Another Palace of Westminster artifact
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 Palace of Westminster . Like another artifact from the same building, this is mislabeled. "House of Parliament" is wrong. "Houses of Parliament" is closer, but "Palace of Westminster" is most accurate. And to be really precise, you can debate over whether it should be labeled London or Westminster.
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.
Monday, July 20, 2009
TweetEcho: July 13-19, 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:
Chicago Brick of the Day: Saint Peter's Basilica
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:
Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome . There is also a Saint Peter's Cathedral in Italy, but it is not in Rome.
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.
Status Update: Victoria's Secret
A light pink facade with a dark pink stripe marks the spot where Victoria's Secret's new store will be on Michigan avenue. It's been a while since we were able to sneak a peek inside, but as far as we can tell things are progressing. It's the latest chess move in the ongoing shuffle of Magnificent Mile retail. Just off the top of our heads...
Stuart Weitzman -> Michael Kors Collection
Paul Stuart -> Best Buy
Lalique -> Mont Blanc
Talbott's -> Zara
Pottery Barn -> Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret -> Columbia Sportswear
Friday, July 17, 2009
Kiosks Vanish in the Gold Coast
Editor's note: This article was scheduled to run on Monday, but since Crain's moved its version tonight, I pushed this up as well.----------------
One of the few 24-hour stores in downtown Chicago is gone. Not just closed -- but actually GONE.
This past Wednesday (July 15th), city crews dismantled the newspaper kiosk on the corner of Michigan and Chicago Avenues next to the Walgreen's, dug up the foundation and poured a blanket of fresh new concrete. The only evidence that there ever was a newsstand at this location is a paper sign taped to a nearby pole promising that the newsstand will return by July 20th.
The same thing (pictured above) happened a day earlier to the newsstand at the corner of State and Division Streets, in front of the Washington Mutual.
Neither newsstand was very pretty, but they were at least reliable. The main one on Chicago Avenue was open 365 days a year, and I've personally purchase copies of British Vogue there at 3am. For a city the size of Chicago, 24-hour shopping and dining opportunities are remarkably rare.
Similar newsstands on Randolph Street and other places in The Loop have been replaced by new French street furniture by JCDecaux in recent years. The new newsstands are expected to be the same style, as will the news kiosk on Chicago and State when it returns after the construction of Loyola University's latest building.
One of the few 24-hour stores in downtown Chicago is gone. Not just closed -- but actually GONE.
This past Wednesday (July 15th), city crews dismantled the newspaper kiosk on the corner of Michigan and Chicago Avenues next to the Walgreen's, dug up the foundation and poured a blanket of fresh new concrete. The only evidence that there ever was a newsstand at this location is a paper sign taped to a nearby pole promising that the newsstand will return by July 20th.
The same thing (pictured above) happened a day earlier to the newsstand at the corner of State and Division Streets, in front of the Washington Mutual.
Neither newsstand was very pretty, but they were at least reliable. The main one on Chicago Avenue was open 365 days a year, and I've personally purchase copies of British Vogue there at 3am. For a city the size of Chicago, 24-hour shopping and dining opportunities are remarkably rare.
Similar newsstands on Randolph Street and other places in The Loop have been replaced by new French street furniture by JCDecaux in recent years. The new newsstands are expected to be the same style, as will the news kiosk on Chicago and State when it returns after the construction of Loyola University's latest building.
Chicago Brick of the Day: Fort Ticonderoga
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.
Progress Report: Zara at Chicago Place
I first encountered Zara one rainy day near the opera house in Paris. It was the only store open, and I popped in to keep from getting soaked. It was then that my wife fell in love... with the store.
The Spanish store feating quality clothing at low low prices is making progress with its new store on the Magnificent Mile. Construction barricades have been up for a few months, but recently a two-story screen featuring promotional photos and the ever-tempting phrase "coming soon."
Zara is gong in at the space formerly occupied by Tabott's back when Chicago Place was an actual mall and not just a hollow shell supporting a food court.
It also has an e-mail address for anyone who wants to be one of its shopgirls. If there's an employee discount, I know some people who would be interested.
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