Child at Play...

I mentioned in my last post that I don't often take pictures of people. I often prefer the absence of people in my images to force you to see the space or the building. That said, I am again doing a post with images of people, well, a mother and child in particular.

A few weeks back while walking through Grant Park near Michigan Ave just south of Congress, I noticed a mother and child (center) nestled among the new spring flowers in the distance. I was quite captured by this and as we walked toward the General John Logan Memorial in the distance, I took several shots of these two playing in the grass.


Zooming in, it looks as though they are right in the middle of the flowers.





Now up at the base of the memorial looking back.


As I was getting ready to put the camera away, I caught them playing paddy-cake. If this child's mother is indeed as loving as has appeared here, he is a very lucky child.


This is slightly unrelated, but I shot this fountain as I was walking towards the memorial. You can see it in the first image on the left.

Random Mondays... 05.29.06...

Looking through my images over the past few weeks, I noticed more images with people than usual. Now, those who know me, know that I usually don't take a lot of images with people as the subject matter. But, I thought I would share a few shots from the past couple of weeks.

First, a family posing in front of Cloudgate (The Bean) about ten days ago, with three different people taking pictures.


Reflection in blue.. Folks passing time at the Crown Fountain. This was the same day as above, as you can tell, it was quite cold.


At the LaSalle Bank Theater on Friday, these two were filling out entry forms for prizes in the newly added bar area of the lobby.



This thoroughly bored man standing at the corner of State and Monroe was trying to give away gifts to those who signed up for a Zales Card. Little does he know that the people that want to shop at Zales can do it at their local mall.


While waiting for the train on the platform at Madison and Wabash yesterday, I saw this presumably homeless woman, putting on make in the mirror of a Lexus. At least she knows her expensive vehicles.


OK, so this doesn't have people in it (except for the passengers in the car). I was in Naperville on Saturday, when we came across this vintage Burger King still in operation. I know... Why the hell was I in Naperville? Long story.... And yes I did have my passport.

Inland Steel... Part IV... Images from the past...

Part I, The Lobby
Part II, The Offices
Part III, The Views

Part of the tour last Saturday of the Inland Steel building (see previous entries) included several images from the archives. I didn't spend as much time looking at them as I wished, but here are a few shots of what I did spend time looking at.

First was this large image taken not long after completion.


This construction photo was fantastic. It would have been better if I had been wearing a dark shirt that day.


An image of what I would guess to be the original model.


And finally, one of the original blueprints on display. This was when blueprints were still blue.

Majestic-Shubert-LaSalle BankTheater, Facelifted...

I took the opportunity to tour the just reopened LaSalle Bank Theater. Built in 1906 as the Majestic, and knon for decades as the Shubert, LaSalle Bank just spent 14 million dollars on a facelift to have their name on the marquee for the long term.

The facelift for the most part was done well. I feel as though it was more of a renovation, than a restoration. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. With a renovation, they were able to keep most all of the original features, including minor blemishes from time. Outside of a lot of unexpected sheetrock, they did the right thing overall. With a restoration, it would have become a precious museum piece, and looked fake and new, and would have cost three times as much.


The building was open today from noon till five, and will be open again on Saturday from noon till five as well. I took about 125 shots of the interior, several of which are here on my Flicker site. Here is a sampling of some of the better ones.


I found it a real challenge to take the interior shots without a flash or a tripod, but thanks to the anti shaky feature on my camera, I was able to capture several with a 1/4 second shutter, which came out quite nice.


This shot was as I was descending the stage, looking directly up the side of the proscenium with the box seats to the left.


From the balcony, looking down on the seats below.


I was thinking that there would be a sign for the second balcony, or at least another as ornate as this one, but couldn't find it.


Up on the stage, you got to take a good look at the "ropes" and all the rigging that make changing scenery seem so easy. It was very interesting in that they mostly did a restoration of the original equipment, rather than replace it all with modern rigging. ( I suspect the old stuff is better anyway.)


And finally back out onto the street. The building isn't completed yet, it is being converted into a Hampton Inn Hotel. They have gone to a lot of trouble to hide the construction going on around the entrance.

Hyatt Center (revisited)...

I have done previous posts about or including the Hyatt Center (here, here, and here), but couldn't help but take more shots on the way home from work tonight.

The street wall along Wacker is finally whole with the completion of 111 S Wacker and the Hyatt Center. Standing on Wacker in front of 10 South this afternoon, I was noticing the clouds contrasting with a deep blue sky, which led me to notice the Hyatt Center.


Where there were four when I moved here in 1999, all the vacant lots along the north south section of Wacker have been filled in nicely with 191 N Wacker, UBS Tower, Hyatt Center, and 111 South Wacker.


The shape while not necessarily unique, does fit the building well, and as far as I know, this is the only building with this shape in Chicago.


Standing at the "split" on the west end of the building looking up.


Standing on Monroe looking up at Hyatt and 111 S Wacker.


Side shot from Monroe.

Inland Steel... Part lll... The Views...

Part l, The Lobby
Part ll, The Offices

Aside from the treat of being able to tour the 11th floor of Inland Steel this past Saturday, was the chance to see the surrounding views. During my tour, I managed to take a couple of dozen shots of what was outside the window.

Overlooking the plaza at what is now Exelon Plaza.


Chicago First/Bank One/Chase or something building overlooking Exelon Plaza.


Looking west down Monroe, you can see top of the Hyatt Building peeking out.


Another shot looking down Monroe.


Looking east, Carson Pirie Scott on State Street is the dominant building. You can also see the balconies which have been tacked on to the Metropolis Condos.


Closer shot of Carsons with its recently restored cornice.


Looking north at the reflections on One South Dearborn.


And finally, how amazing was it that the sun was lined up with the pavers and planters on the plaza at One South Dearborn?

Random Mondays... 05.22.06...

The randomness for today is culled from shots taken over the past week.

First up... Mr "God hates homos, adulterers, smokers, drinkers, liars, people that are late for work, etc..." Samuel Chambers has been a fixture on State Street for more than 35 years.


What time is it?
Marshall Fields Clock at State and Washington.


Waiting in line for tickets (at 6:40 AM) to Chicago Great Places and Spaces this past Saturday, I saw the light coming through the windows of the entry area to the modern wing at the Art Institute across the street.


The next morning standing in line even earlier (6:10 AM) I saw the sun again being reflected across the street at the Art Institute.


Standing on Randolph yesterday afternoon looking up.


And finally, a follow up to last week... I mentioned that the "Cen" on the neon sign was not working... Well, they read my mind and fixed it.

Inland Steel... Part ll... The Offices...

Yesterday I wrote about taking a tour of the Inland Steel building at 30 W Monroe. Well, as promised, today I bring you pictures from the inside.

But, before I get to today's post, let me respond to comments from yesterdays post... Mittal was only leasing three floors at Inland Steel, they needed more space which wasn't available. This prompted them to move next door a few months ago to 1 S Dearborn. They left three vacant floors at Inland Steel, which are still vacant. The remainder of the building is leased. As for seeing the inside of 1 S Dearborn... We didn't get to see all that much, just the lobby, the elevator, and the 7th floor health club from where we viewed Inland Steel from above the street. I was most impressed by the stunningly beautiful glass walls in the elevators.

Now to continue the juicy architectural porn...

Part of what makes Inland Steel such an incredible building is that the elevators, restrooms and fire stairs are all contained in a stainless steel clad tower to the east of the office portion, which is all glass and stainless steel. Current fire code would not allow for this configuration today because the only escape in fire would be contained within the small mechanicals tower, and today�s fire code would require additional staircases. It is because there are no additional staircases that Inland Steel is unique. By not having the additional staircases, the office floor is completely uninterrupted space, no columns, and no support walls.

The first shot was taken as we were going from the elevator tower to the office tower. There is a kind of transitional bridge if you will with glass on both sides. As just noted above, this is one of the unique qualities of the building.


Looking north from where we entered the office space from the elevators. The interior is mostly intact including office partition walls with glass at the top.


A bit further in, looking toward the northeast corner.


Getting a closer shot of the northeast corner you can clearly see the office partition walls with the glass at the top. I love the original IBM Clock. You can also see the ceiling grid which is custom to this building. The ceiling is original, however, the light fixtures have been modernized and sprinklers were added.


OK, so I was a bit obsessed with the clock. The ceiling is made of perforated panels, in which the air conditioning is distributed invisibly (when they are kept clean).


In this shot looking north, you can clearly see the corner offices on both sides, as well as get a good idea of how incredible the light in the space is. Floor to ceiling windows, on all four sides, with a clear column free span of more than 80 feet. (And yes, the clock came into play again.)


OK, now for a money shot. Northwest corner office overlooking the first Chicago/Bank One/Chase building.


Finally, we had to wrap it up. I took many more shots which I will bring you over the next week or so, my only regret was that I did not take the opportunity to go into the vintage restrooms to check them out. They will be upgraded soon, and I am sure quite modernized in order to attract tenants. I leave you with this parting shot of the other side of the transitional "bridge" between the office and mechanical tower looking south towards Monroe, as we left the 11th floor.

Inland Steel... Part l... The Lobby...

Warning Architectural Porn to Follow!!!

As part of the Great Chicago Places and Spaces weekend, Michael and I got the privilege (meaning getting in line at 6:10 AM for the chance to get tickets) of touring one of the true gems of the mid-century modernist movement. Inland Steel was designed by Bruce Graham of SOM, in 1957. The tour was led by one of the new owners of the building, Harvey Camins, President & CEO, Camins Tomasz Kritt LLC, who, along with a group of investors which included architect Frank Gehry, purchased the building this past August. It is their intention to maintain the building with as much respect to its history as possible, which will include necessary upgrades, as well as restoration and cleaning of the facade and lobby.

It was with absolute glee (and goosebumps) that I got the chance to first see the building from close up next door at 1 S Dearborn, and then tour the former offices of Mittal Steel* on the 11th floor of the Inland Steel building where we got to look at original blue prints (when they were still blue) and several pictures and renderings from when it was built. I also got several shots of the surrounding view from Inland Steel, and we had the opportunity to see what I think is the cleanest underground garage in the world.

I took lots and lots of pictures, and will bring them to you in a few posts over the next week or so, so be patient. As I was sitting down to write this post, I realized that I didn't take many outside shots this morning, so I pulled this one from January.


For the first post of this series, I have a few shots of the lobby taken this morning as we were waiting for the tour to begin. The fountain by Richard Lippold was commissioned by the Inland Steel Co and installed in 1957. The metal wires and rods represented the vast network of Inland Steel's various manufacturing capacities. At night, the lighting is reflected off of the subtly moving water to create wonderful patterns on the ceiling.


This is one of the new plantings recently installed, a vast improvement over the tree in a stainless steel pot. I like this because it is very contemporary, yet completely in line with the mid century aspects of the lobby.


The guard station was done at a later time. The new owners are in the process of fabricating a new one designed in part by Frank Gehry.


To wrap up this post, we had the opportunity to go to the seventh floor next door at the new 1 South Dearborn, for views of the building close up. I will post more shots of views from Inland Steel in a later post.


Links to follow up posts:
Part II, The Offices
Part III, The Views
Part IV, Images from the Past
Part V, Parking

*Mittal Steel was what Inland Steel became after mergers, and which just moved next door to 1 S Dearborn after nearly fifty years at 30 W Monroe.

The Bean is Finished... Finally...

Forgive me for yet another post on Cloudgate...
But, The Bean (Cloudgate) is finally finished, it only took 23 million dollars, and an additional 22 months, but it is finally finished. The artist Anish Kapoor was in town this week for the official dedication ceremony.

This afternoon I noticed the interestingness of the clouds and thought it would be a great time to walk over to Cloudgate. The color of the sky was gray, but there were patches of deep blue peeking through at times.
I really like the way I framed this one.


Illinois Center reflected, along with a bit of myself.


This shot was nice with the clouds and sun.


Me again in the center.


Omphalos!


I want to say that I am so over "The Bean", but as jaded as I can be at times, I am still captivated by it. Maybe after another 500 visits, I will grow tired.

"Hailo"...

I was nearly one of the victims this evening as a hail storm broke out minutes before I left work. This was a day when taking a bus home was just better than walking. By the time I got to State and Washington, the marble sizeds pellets had stopped.

Took these shots standing under the pedway in a bus shelter at Madison and Canal.








It looks like Blogger is giving more grief with not showing the entire image. If this is a problem, I will post images from Flickr. It's a good thing I am working on a new site. (Yes, soon!)

Sears Tower is Bulky (and Tall)...

Edit: Blogger is giving much grief, if the images aren't showing up, you can see them on Flickr.

There are times when it is difficult to take in the imensity of the Sears Tower. Not exactly an architecturally asthetic pleaser, I give it props for two things. It's shear bulk, and the engineering behind it.


Standing at the corner of Jackson and Wacker, these are a few shots taken this past weekend. This image is nearly a mirror from left to right.


Zooming in closer, the bulk is more blatant.



This shot almost looks like it is actually several buildings. And engineering wise, it is. A big part of what makes the tower able to stand so tall is that is is made up of nine tube like structers of varying height bundled together for strength.


Half an hour earlier and a few blocks away at Madison and LaSalle, I saw the top of the tower peeking through the clouds.

Random Mondays... 05.15.06...

This weeks of randomness shot over the past couple of weeks.

First up, the platform at Washington Wells.


111 S Wacker (right, 2005), 150 S Wacker (bottom, 1951) and Hyatt Center (left rear, 2005) against the bluest of skies.


Crown Fountain, Millennium Park.


LaSalle Street north from Jackson.


Presidential Towers from Madison over the Kennedy.


200 S Wacker (Harry Weese) as reflected across Adams Street.


"___tral CAMERA", My favorite lil camera shop... And my favorite neon sign in the city. I always worry about this place, with all the big box stores around. Please don't go out of business. (although I would love it if you could fix the "Cen".)

Conan Crowds...

I had a request for pics of all the Conan action going on this week at the Chicago Theater... Unfortunately, my need to pay the mortgage has had to take priority over ditching work and waiting in line for stand-by tickets. (Damn adulthood)

I did however manage to get home a few minutes before six last night, and just in time for last nights crowds as they were leaving the theater. I shot a few from my window, and then put my shoes on and went down to the street to take a few more.
By time I got down there (about 5-8 minutes after this image was taken), the crowd had mostly dispersed, and the lights on the marquee were shut down for the night.

So, I offer up a few of what I did manage to get.





At this point, you can actually see the crowd thinning out.

Where in the Loop is This?... Answer to #8

The answer to last weeks "Where in the Loop is This? (# 8)" post was correctly guessed yesterday by Polkster and later followed up by EasyW . It is a window at Cal's Tavern on Van Buren and Wells. I have walked by the place several times, and though how out of context it was in today's Loop. A relic of the past I suppose.


Cal's on Van Buren is hidden behind the tall building in this Google Earth image, but you get the idea of where it is.


I think it works best to do "Where in the Loop..." as an occasional series, with the answer on the following week.

Under the "L", Lake View...

Walking down W Oakdale Ave in Lake View this past Saturday, I stopped under the "L" to take these shots. As I have posted before, the play on shadow and light under the tracks is always fun to photograph. I like the disappearing perspective as the tracks get further away.


There is a train on the track to the right.


Looking south





And on Sunday, I shot this from East 9th near State Street.

Random Mondays... 05.08.06...

This weeks randomness is selected from images shot over the past week.

Beginning Tuesday night, Conan O'Brien will be at the Chicago Theater to tape his show for the week. I was among the more than 90,000 people that sent an email requesting tickets... Oh well, I guess I will just have to stay up late and watch it a couple of blocks away.


West Calhoun Place looking west from State.


Mid Continental Plaza (right) is soon have it's top 12 floor converted to condos, and while I am not convinced of the exterior plan, I would love to live there.


69 W Washington as reflected in the Daley Center


Edward Hopper's Night Hawks at the Art Institute yesterday. I have seen this painting several times in the past, but like several others at the museum, I am still a bit stunned when I unexpectedly catch a glimpse of it out of the corner of my eye.


Dearborn Station as seen from Washington Street.

Aon (Again)...

A few weeks back while on a walk in the nabe, found myself in the shadow of the Aon Center. The sun was setting, the lights were cycling on for the evening, and I say the place from a different perspective. Previous post on the Aon Building: Tall


I was actually glad one of the lights was out. I like the fact that it isn't perfect.


Looking straight up from the east wall.


Sitting on the steps looking south, the underside of the handrail becomes the predominant feature.

One South State...

After what has seemed like a decade (but really was only four years), the scaffolding over the sidewalk on the corner of State and Madison has finally come down, and a whole new generation of architecture students gets to see what all the hubbub is about.

Carson Pirie Scott is one the most historic structures in the city of Chicago, and arguably one of the most important buildings of the first half of the last century. It started out as a nine story mid-block building on Madison (which is why there is such an ornate canopy there now) in 1899 for Schlesinger and Mayer. By 1903, what was now Carson Pirie Scott, had been extended over to and down State Street, and extended further south again in 1961. The store embodies architect Louis H. Sullivan's philosophy of "form follows function". The upper walls reflect the function of the space within, while the decorative panels at the street level invite the pedestrian to stop, look, and come inside. The rounded corner entrance below announces the entrance for all.


Yeah, I know that it was the top of the building that just underwent an extensive restoration after having had the original cornice removed in the 40s, but it is the base of the building at street level which was always so available to us in the past, and has been essentially covered up for the past four years.


Standing at the corner looking up at the restored cornice.


This detail is on the canopy of the original 1899 entrance along Madison St.


The detail on the corner is incredible, and if you look carefully, you can find a few hidden gems...


...Such as this. "LHS" for Louis H Sullivan. Who says there were no "Starchitects" with egos in the past?


The Carson Pirie Scott sign may not be there much longer since the recent purchase by The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. from Saks. Fortunately, the building is on the National Historic Register.


In case you were wondering if I was going to post images of the top, not to worry, I will do a follow-up to this post as soon as I can get a few good shots. In the meantime, I will tease you with a shot I took in January.


Oh, and thanks for pushing my hit count to more than 40,000!

Where in the Loop is This?... (# 8)

My "Where in the Loop..." posts were of mixed success, and I haven't done one for a while. So I have decided to revive this feature, but only as a periodic post.

Let me know if you can identify where you would find this image and/or what the image is. No prizes, but I will reveal the answer and first correct guesser by next week.

Another window for you, I hope it isn't too easy... Clues will follow as necessary.


Previous Image:


This is an image of South Water Street, and is part of a larger plaque commemorating Wacker Drive on the north west corner of Wacker and Lake.

Brian Wolf all but nailed it when he said... "Looks like the image is of the old south water street, which was replaced by Wacker Drive. I would assume it's somewhere near an entry to Wacker." Thanks Brian

Angle Parking...

With all the new high-rises filling in the gaps in River North, this lot at 15 W Illinois is one only a few staffed lots left.


The little cashier hut has definitely seen better days, but still it somehow manages to remain standing. I am just glad I don't have to work there.


What surprises me is that the buildings department hasn't condemned the little hut, and forced the owner to tear it down and replace it... Well, on second thought, this is Chicago...

Oh, and I think $8 isn't a bad deal to park after 4PM, if only I had a car to park. Hmmm... What a conundrum.

Immigrants Unite...

I wasn't able to get away from the office to see the rally yesterday (I could only watch the marchers a few blocks away from my office window)... Fortunately, Michael did get away... He shot some great images (below), and posted them to his blog: Chicago Carless

(image: Michael Doyle)

>D<

Random Mondays... 05.01.2006...

Missed my random post from last week, so I decided to bring you a longer one today. Including a few from my NYC trip. To follow... Images shot over the past ten days.

First a shot of one of the restored light fixtures in the main lobby at the Art Institute.


Senator Jan Schakowsky, speaking at a rally at Federal Plaza, this shortly after speaking at the big rally this afternoon. Shot about an hour ago, she was there to bring awareness to the genocide happening in Darfur.


Wind whipping the awnings along Washington yesterday afternoon. It looked as if they would be torn from their frames.


Traffic light at State and Washington laying in state after it was hit by a car overnight on Saturday.


The "Honorary Marshall Fields Way" sign needs to be straightened.


Vintage 50s entrance at 30 E Adams.


And now for some random NYC...

First up, Bryant Park... I had my first piece of New York Pizza across the street from here, the place is now gone as the B of A building rises in its place.


Base of a column on the Manhattan Bridge. This dates from the early part of the 1900s, yet the pattern looks so mid-century.


Entrance to Manhattan Bridge eastbound. What a way to leave Manhattan... or is that... What a way to get to Brooklyn!


Wavy condo building in SOHO. Quite the illusion from below.


P&G Cafe, Upper West Side.

Gapers Block Likes Me...

Thanks for the mention on Saturday, Gapers Block.

"Looper is a "quasi-daily architectural photoblog generally focused in and around the Loop;" if only we could all proselytize so well about our urban environment. Read and be inspired. Kris Sat April 29 2006 Found on the Web "

>D<