Chicago Brick of the Day: Grouseland

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:

Grouseland in Vincennes, Indiana. 

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.

Chuck Talks to Michigan Avenue

It's been a long time coming, but a couple of weeks ago we finally noticed that Charles Schwab's new office on the Magnificent Mile is open next to the Walgreen's in the Realtor Building.

It's an interesting addition to the area by the river. And in light of the new and glittering presence of a huge Fidelity office virtually across the street at 401 North Michigan Avenue, makes us wonder if the character of that area is changing slightly.  Wouldn't it be something if a bunch of different investment houses opened flashy storefronts in that area?  Of course, they'll have to sort out their financial problems first.

Feeling Freshii at Water Tower Place

The new Freshii is now open at Water Tower Place.  It's in the space that was once a Nuts on Clark outlet. We told you last year about Nuts being shelled from its Gold Coast location.  The new eatery takes us from nuts to fruits and vegetables.

Interestingly, the smart folks at Freshii have found a way to make use of the old carport at Water Tower Place.  The four-lane through street used to allow people to be picked up and dropped off from both the mall and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel safe from Chicago's weather.  But worries over car bombs closed that route long ago.

Now it's being used by Freshii as an outdoor seating area, and should be perfect for a little al fresco dining, even if it's raining.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Mark Twain Cave

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:

Mark Twin Cave in Hannibal, Missouri . This is yet another one of a number of Tribune Tower artifacts that are mislabeled.  There is no "Injun Joe" Cave.  There is an Injun Joe's Treasure Room inside the Mark Twain Cave, however.

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.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Mammoth Cave

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:

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky .

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: Walton on the Park (2)

Walton on the Park continues to grow.  Now that the parking garage is done, the building is growing quite quickly and starting to take on its final skyscraper form.

TweetEcho: July 4-12, 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. Heavy lift helicopter is putting a huge new antenna array on the roof of the Aon Center.7:54 AM Jul 11th from web
2. Another piece of Chicago's historic architecture crumbles before our eyes: http://bit.ly/2EdM1K8:28 AM Jul 10th from bit.ly
3. The new Freshii is now open at Water Tower Place. They're even using the former carport as covered outdoor seating. Clever.7:12 AM Jul 10th from web
4. Collective Soul fans are already lined up for today's concert at the John Hancock Center. http://twitpic.com/9vxou6:49 AM Jul 10th from Tweetie
5. The winners and losers in the Burnham Memorial for Chicago: http://bit.ly/7Q8cv3:43 PM Jul 8th from bit.ly
6. Winner chosen for Chicago's Burnham Memorial:http://bit.ly/H90Hq3:41 PM Jul 8th from bit.ly
7. Correction to an earlier tweet: The new Italian boutique at 840 North Michigan will actually be on Chestnut next to the dermatology spa.6:17 AM Jul 8th from bit.ly
8. Lavazza will open an Espressions cafe in the MetraMarket:http://bit.ly/pLGXz6:16 AM Jul 8th from bit.ly
9. Black smoke has turned back to steam at Northwestern. Fire department still responding, though with fewer sirens.2:45 PM Jul 7th from web
10. Loud popping noises across Streeterville. Can see black smoke coming from the roof of Northwestern University's Feinberg Pavilion.2:42 PM Jul 7th from bit.ly
11. Italian boutique Culti will take the space on Michigan Avenue soon to be vacated by Victoria's Secret: http://bit.ly/A7bi53:16 PM Jul 6th from bit.ly

Slice of Life: Blimps Over the Beach

The best view of Oak Street Beach isn't from the shade of a tree at the edge of the sand. It's from the Good Year Blimp hovering overhead.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Independence Hall

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:

Independence Hall in Philadelphia. 

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: Going Down

There aren't many places in the world where the elevators stops on 103 on the way down.  Though Chicago has been surpassed by buildings in the Middle East and Asia, we should still be proud of this feat, accomplished half a century before the rest of the world.

Slice of Life: Soul Patch at Hancock Center

A group of Collective Soul fans stake out their patch of front-row real estate for today's concert in the sunken plaza at the John Hancock Center more than four hours before the band is scheduled to perform.

Later in the day, Collective Soul will perform at Old Saint Patrick's Church's annual summer festival.  OSP likes to call it the "World's Largest Block Party," but it's not.  It's not even the largest in the Midwest.  But don't mention that to people who run the church.  Hostile and dismissive responses are de rigeur any time we've brought that up to the bosses over there.  Even from pastor Father Tom Hurley, who sent us a nastygram when we most recently inquired about the false boast.

Chicago Brick of the Day: John Brown's Cabin

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:

John Brown's Cabin in Osawatomie, Kansas .

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: Things Coming Together at Block 37

Things are starting to come together at Block 37/108 North State.  After more than two years of disarray, the ground floor of the building is starting to make sense to the casual observer.

Some of the barriers have been lowered so we can get a peek at what's going on.  The near completion of the sidewalks is a good sign that most of what is left to do is cosmetic and interior.  With glass walls marking entrances it's easier to get an idea of what the finished project will look like.  

Of course, it still doesn't have a name other than the industrial "Block 37" or the bland "108 North State."  How about Daley Mills?  Or maybe "Field's."

Chicago Brick of the Day: Antarctica

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:

Antarctica .  And collected either during Operation Highjump or Operation Windmill .

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: Michael Kors at 900

With Stuart Weitzman now down at the Shops at Northbridge, the retailer's old space at 900 North Michigan Avenue is under construction.  The Michael Kors Collection is Kors' second store at 900, after opening in what used to be the first floor of Club Monaco.  We detailed that move almost exactly one year ago.

Chicago Brick of the Day: International Peace Garden

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 International Peace Garden Canada United States , which straddles the border between North Dakota and Manitoba.

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: Chicago's Vertical Malls

An American and Chicago Olympic flag hang in the elevator well of Water Tower Place.  A lot of American tourists don't understand vertical malls, which may have contributed to the demise of Chicago Place.  But they're quite common in Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and other places.  Water Tower Place manages to thrive thanks to the halO effect, and the mall at Northbridge seems to be holding its own.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Chimney Rock, Nebraska

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:

Chimney Rock National Historic Site in Nebraska. 

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: Plumbers Protecting Chicago

This mural is on display in one of the stairwells of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 union hall at 1400 West Washington in the Near West Side.  It features Buckingham Fountain, the old Chicago Water Tower, the Wrigley Building, and other Chicago landmarks.

Chicago Brick of the Day: Princeton University

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:

Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. 

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.