l o o p e r

Looper has left the building...

2007-07-30T10:12:00.000-05:00

As of July 21, 2007, Looper has left the windy streets of Chicago for a new life in the Big Apple!

To compliment the move, check out my new site focused on New York City:
24gotham
Please stop by and check it out!

The New Looper is Here!...

2006-06-28T07:23:00.000-05:00

Finally it is ready to unveil!

Please update your bookmarks, and links to http://iconeon.net/blog/,
Sit back and enjoy!

The New and Improved Looper features...

A New Look...
A New Address...
Same Great Content... Yet More Filling and Satisfying....

If you miss my first official post, you can see it here.

Thank you to all that have visited these pages over the past 17 months, I look forward to keeping the momentum going with the new site.

Random Mondays... 06.26.06...

2006-06-26T12:10:00.000-05:00

Today's random selection was culled from shots taken over the past week.

First up, we have a shot taken under Columbus Drive yesterday.

While on a visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo on Saturday, the Lion House was all a flutter with the lions receiving a special treat. I am not sure what type of animal this giant bone came from (an elephant perhaps?) but it seemed very Flintstones like.

An angle of the Plensa Fountain at Millennium Park that isn't often photographed (by myself or others) The water hitting the up-lighting.

Waiting at Belmont for a Brown Line. This station along with the others along the Brown Line will be going away as they rebuild the tracks. Even though the platform is archaic and outdated, I will miss it's quirkiness.

Looking out my window last week, I couldn't help but notice this pink concrete truck on Block 37. I took a few shots of it, and after looking closer at the images, I was able to figure out that the truck was painted pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. Now I am in no way trying to dis Breast Cancer Awareness, but didn't they take the pink ribbon idea from the red ribbon fight for AIDS? And why isn't there a red truck out there for AIDS awareness?

Found on the intersection of Clyborn and Willow. I have never seen this kind of set up for fire hoses.

Brutal...

2006-06-23T09:41:00.000-05:00

A few weeks back while down in Hyde Park, Michael took me to see the Joseph Regenstein Library (University of Chicago).He knew it would probably provoke me to take pictures and he was correct. Designed by Skimore Owings and Merrill, the Library is a great example of Brutalist Architecture. It shows that not all Brutalism is... Well... Brutal.

The library was completed in 1970 at a cost of 20 million dollars (which seems like a lot for the time).

Critics argue that this abstract nature of Brutalism makes the style unfriendly and uncommunicative, instead of integrating and protective as its proponents intended. I don't know much about the Brutalist movement, but the omnipresent heavy-ness of the buildings can have an overwhelming effect on it's users. But I think this example works, and isn't overwhelming at all. I does show importance.

The majority of Brutalist buildings are constructed of exposed concrete. But occasionally, brick or other materials are used. For the Library, the outside walls are deeply grooved Indiana limestone

A few more images can be found on my flickr.

Chinatown Chicago...

2006-06-22T09:56:00.000-05:00

Chinatown in Chicago at ~~18th~~ Cermack and Wentworth my not compare to Chinatown in NYC or San Francisco, but it is still a great neighborhood wander, and you can find some great Dim Sum!

I find myself drawn to the lettering on the "Overseas Art and Travel" sign. I need to come back in the evening to find out if the neon is still functioning.

The Pui Tak Center

A great place for Dim Sum on a Sunday Morning

Somehow I would think that "Cantonesia" would be mildly offensive. But I suppose after a few Maitai's, it wouldn't really matter.

Random Mondays... 06.19.2006...

2006-06-19T21:00:00.000-05:00

Today's selection of randomness comes from images shot over the past ten days.

First, the 7th Street Garage on S Wabash. Note that they added "Discount" as a separate sign. What makes this parking discount?

I can never grow tired of Inland Steel. This shot from last week when the sun was just right.

Found in an alley while walking south on Jefferson near Randolph.

Michigan Avenue, Friday evening.

While out with the rental car Saturday evening, we ducked into Target in the burbs to miss a big storm. The storm didn't materialize, but when we came out of the store, this was the view on the way to the car.

This is the product of a happy accident. I was noticing that most of the floors at the IBM building were lit last night, and as I was setting up my camera, I pressed the shutter at the same time I was zooming out and this is the result.
Now I just want to experiment with it.

Botanic-alicious...

2006-06-18T22:35:00.000-05:00

For the first time in my seven years of living here, I was at the Chicago Botanic Garden yesterday. I haven't been there before simply because it isn't exactly located in a convenient place (like the city of Chicago) and it also isn't exactly transit friendly. In the past, I have never wanted to take to nearly two hour trip each way on CTA and Pace, but thanks to the miracle of the rental car, and the astronomical sum of $12.00 to park it, I finally got to see the garden (which is free to get into).

Rather than explain all of the prettiness, I will just let the images speak for themselves.

~~
Bunnies were everywhere, and as soon as I would zoom in and begin to take their pic, they would scamper off. This little one however, sat still for me.

These and a bunch more images from the garden are posted in my flickr.

Night Game...

2006-06-15T18:40:00.000-05:00

While long controversial, the lights at Wrigley Field was perhaps the best designed addition to the ball park until the addition of the new bleachers last winter. The design of the lighting standards looks as though they were part of the original plan. I was up in the nabe on Tuesday evening, didn't go to the game, but I did walk around a bit and take a few shots. It is always the lights that grabbed my attention.

While not on top of the ball park, they looked very cool against the evening sky.

See more shots of Wrigley Field Lights at my flickr.

Under the "L", South Loop...

2006-06-14T19:28:00.000-05:00

I was walking down Wabash near 16th street on Sunday, when I began to hear a loud sound, like a tornado... So I rounded the corner at 16th, and walked under the "L" tracks to see what the noise was all about., and of course, it was a freight train.
It is here that the "L" tracks elevate to go over the freight trains and then ease back down again before the Orange and Green Line's go their separate way.

I have posted before (in Lake View, down Lake Street, on Wells Street, and Van Buren) about how much I love the shadows under the "L", and this is no exception. It wouldn't be Chicago with out the "L" tracks.

The next two images are me playing with black and white, leaving a small patch in the original color. Each of the rail cars (hauling coal) were shiny new aluminum, and they all had the bright green square on them. I suspect they are not connected with H&R Block.

And finally, over on State Street, the train was still going a while later...

Coming Soon to a Computer Near You!...

2006-06-13T13:02:00.000-05:00

Coming Soon!
A New and Improved Looper featuring...

A New Look...
A New Address...
Same Great Content... Yet More Filling and Satisfying....

Stay tuned for more details!

Random Mondays... 06.12.06...

2006-06-12T19:51:00.000-05:00

Today's random fun comes from shots taken over the past few weeks.

First up... Waiting for the Red Line at North and Clyborn last week. They are installing cameras at all of the subway stations, so snapping random shots without the wrath of CTA employee's will become more challenging. Even though it is completely legal to take pictures on CTA property (the policy allows for incidental photography), employee's routinely challenge you and tell you that you can't do it. It is usually not worth the argument.

"Pago Pago-Cantonese Food and Exotic Drinks in a Polynesian Atmosphere"

Painted on a building on Wabash just south of Van Buren. I don't know how far back you would have to go to find all three of these locations still in operation, but I think it is before the 773 area code came into being. Anybody have any ideas?

In the 20th floor laundry room at Marina City, is a "Weathermaker".
I think this is perhaps the best name for an air-conditioner ever.

Standing on Wacker and Monroe looking up at 30 S Wacker. Now I want to know if the windows are really that wavy or if it is an illusion.

A block away on the corner of Monroe and Franklin. I have shot this before, and probably posted a previous version, but it is none the less, a great intersection for looking up.

Wabash Ave side of the Essex House Hotel. These bricks are not painted, they were glazed in the different colors... How Mid-Century! Even though I have posted previous shots of this before, this one taken yesterday has such a nice shininess to it.

Marina City Sunsets...

2006-06-11T18:04:00.000-05:00

I have done a post on this before, but every time I take the same shots, they are different.

Last week after dining on the balcony at Michael's place, we went up to the roof to watch the sun set. To follow is several images from the following 30 minutes.

It was a bit hazy, but the color was amazing.

Meanwhile, looking in other directions, the evening was turning out to be quite beautiful. Out over the lake, you can see the Indiana shore in the distance...

Looking east down the river...

And looking down State Street.

Back to where I started looking west... After the sun set.

And of course, River North.

Sofitel...

2006-06-09T07:21:00.000-05:00

The Sofitel Hotel has been high on my list of favorite new buildings in Chicago since it was completed a few years ago. Oddly, I haven't posted on Sofitel before. So, no time like today. The pics were shot a in March.

I have had the fortune to sip several martinis in the bar, and while I haven't slept here, I have seen a couple of rooms from people I know that have. They are quite nice, I appreciate the fact that they don't look like a Hyatt or Hilton or Sheridan, or any one of the dozens of boring chains.

I really love that the windows appear to have a random pattern. While you can see the vertical support columns, the lines are blurred by the apparent randomness of windows.

The outward tilt of the building as it rises from the sidewalk, almost leaning over the street is a great visual trick to capture the eye and draw attention.

OK, so I had to throw this one in the mix... The Sofitel on the left with the differently angled Hancock in the background.

There are a few more pics on my Flickr.

Skyspace...

2006-06-07T22:02:00.000-05:00

The new Skyspace by artist James Turrell was officially dedicated last week at the intersection of Roosevelt and Halsted. This being the first fully accessible one to the public, it is a different experience than his previous Skyspace's.

James Turrell has done several Skyspaces throughout the world, with several in the US. This is the first for Chicago. They are usually fully enclosed, but because this one is public, the bottom is completely open. To overcome the surrounding sounds of traffic, he incorporated falling streams of water to muffle the noise.

Inside, you begin to understand it's purpose. I can see how this could be serene.

The sun shining through the top creates a moving oval of light, shifting throughout the day.

I was there this past Sunday, and it was a cloudless day... So, I waited around until I could finally see something besides the pure blue sky.

From the far corner of the lot, you can see how it fits into the streetscape. Overall, I am not a big fan of the pinkish color chosen for the structure, I feel it already looks faded and will just look more faded as it ages. I was also a bit surprised at the opening not being perfectly shaped. Looking at the image above, you can see just how misshapen the oval really is.

Random Mondays... 06.05.06...

2006-06-05T19:50:00.000-05:00

Images for today's random goodness were taken over the past week.

First up, on Saturday, I was at the Printers Row Book Fair, and while walking near the Metropolitan Correctional Center on Van Buren and Federal, I could see the prisoners looking down on the crowds. A bit creepy, but interesting none the less.

Last weeks storms brought out the most interesting of skies. This shot taken from my window on 5/30.

Zoology Building at The University of Chicago, on West 57th Street. UofC is certainly one of the most beautiful campuses in the Midwest.

Inside the gate to the Quadrangle, we came across this Lilly pond... Not much was in bloom, but I managed to capture these flowers on the far end of the pond.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. National Office, Hyde Park. What a nice modernist box. Mies would be proud.

Yesterday afternoon walking through my nabe, the sun was right to capture the stainless steel on the Inland Steel Building.

Peopled Weekend...

2006-06-04T19:07:00.000-05:00

This weekend was all about being around large groups of people. (This being my third post in the past week focused on people... Not to worry... I have taken several shots of buildings which I will post in the upcoming week.)

The weekend first started out with the Printers Row Book Fair and Studs Terkel. We saw him yesterday at the Harold Washington Library in conversation with Liz Taylor, Literary Editor, and Rick Kogen, Staff Reporter, both of the Chicago Tribune. At 94, Studs is a Chicago legend, and I am glad I got to see him.

Walking through the Book Fair, one runs into lots of bookish folks... Not such a bad thing.

The line was far too long, but Augusten Burroughs, one of my favorite contemporary authors, was signing books yesterday. While I have read Sellevision, Dry, Running with Scissors, and Magical Thinking, I have yet to read his new one, Possible Side Effects, but I am sure that one will come along soon.

After the book fair, we headed down to Hyde Park, and accidentally ran into the 57th Street Art Fair. Wasn't looking for it, but glad to find it.
OK, so here is where it gets a bit odd, I didn't take any pictures at the art fair.... Not so odd really.... But I did take a pic of where 57th street goes under the Metra Tracks.

So today we headed down to the White Palace Grill on Roosevelt and Canal for breakfast when we decided to stop over at the "New" Maxwell Street Market. Again, didn't really pull my camera out, except to shoot this image.

So, after random Mondays tomorrow, I promise to bring back the pictures of buildings. Really...

Inland Steel... Part V... Parking...

2006-06-01T20:10:00.000-05:00

Part I, The Lobby
Part II, The Offices
Part III, The Views
Part IV, Images from the Past

In Part V, the final part of my series on my tour of Inland Steel, I offer up a few images of the most pristine mid-century garage you have ever seen.

It was the finale to the tour, and what a final treat it was. While very utilitarian, the garage was, according to their literature, the first parking garage under a skyscraper. If you are thinking that it would be a handy place to stash the car on your next trip into the Loop, think again. First, you should be taking public transit to the Loop, but more importantly, the garage is for building tenants only, no public parking is allowed.

As was explained to us, the reason this place is as clean as it is, is due to two very dedicated garage attendants whom obviously take great pride in their work.

I would be willing to bet money, that this is the cleanest garage in the city.

The ramp leading to the street is this fantastic perfectly painted curve.

The shadows on the cinderblock in addition to the small round ground level lights just add to the" mid-century mod" look.

Child at Play...

2006-05-31T19:28:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-29T15:39:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-28T21:38:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-26T16:47:00.000-05:00

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)...

2006-05-25T19:19:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-23T18:16:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-22T20:50:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-21T21:46:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-20T18:28:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-18T20:00:00.000-05:00

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"...

2006-05-17T18:59:00.000-05:00

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)...

2006-05-16T18:38:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-15T21:55:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-11T19:22:00.000-05:00

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

2006-05-10T22:35:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-09T19:26:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-08T20:05:00.000-05:00

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)...

2006-05-07T09:09:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-04T19:19:00.000-05:00

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)

2006-05-03T19:18:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-02T19:17:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-02T10:26:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-01T18:14:00.000-05:00

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...

2006-05-01T13:27:00.000-05:00

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<

Meat Packing in NYC...

2006-04-30T10:10:00.000-05:00

On a very, very wet Saturday afternoon last weekend, we were traipsing through the Meat Packing District in Manhattan to see just how gentrified the area had become since my last visit to the nabe. Sadly, the high end boutiques have taken away from the area, the very thing that drew them here in the first place... Grit. I mean... Wasn't it only a few years ago that Samantha on Sex in the City was chasing away gender-bending "tranny ho's" from the street in front of her loft in this hood?

There are still a few active businesses doing the meat packing, but they are one by one, closing up and moving to the Bronx. Here you can see the track used to off-load carcasses from the trucks, for processing smaller chunks of meat for restaurants.

Note the sign in the distance for Scoop NYC.

On the left is another closed business, and on the right...

The new flagship for Diane von Furstenberg... This is just wrong.... What, wasn't SOHO good enough?

Around the corner from von Furstenburg another closed up business, note the carcass tracks here as well. It seems that in renovating the spaces into high-end retail, the meat tracks (or whatever they are actually called) are removed, which again takes away from the very reason they came to the neighborhood to begin with.

West 14th Street, the most gentrified of the blocks. Here you will find a Bodum store, Alexander McQueen, LaPerla, and more. Western Beef (orange awning) at the end of the block will be closing later this year.

I think the "M&W Packing Inc." sign was left there to tease us, when the loft spaces above would go for millions.

Reflecting on 333...

2006-04-26T20:21:00.000-05:00

My fascination with architecture goes way, way back, and I can remember reading about 333 W Wacker Drive, way, way back in the mid 80s. I remember it being one of the prime examples of post modernism, and was one of those pivotal buildings in the city. The building is one of the most popular all glass buildings in the world, and marked its architecture firm, Kohn Pederson and Fox, as a player in the big leagues.
So, when I first visited Chicago in 1998, I remember how excited I was to actually experience 333 as it sat snugly at the bend of the river. What I didn't expect was how beautifully it's curving wall would capture the sky around it. It is a constantly changing facade as the light of day shifts east to west, and every time I am there, the building looks different. These shots from last week reflect (pun intended) how the sky impacts the facade.

The glass is tinted two shades of green, alternating in horizontal bands.

The curve of 333 juxtaposed with the rectilinear facade of 191 N Wacker which was also designed by Kohn Pederson Fox, only 20 years later. (right).

Reflection of 333 (along with my head) from the window at American International Tile on the front of Merchandise Mart.

I have returned from Mecca...

2006-04-25T19:35:00.000-05:00

I got back into town yesterday, too tired to post (sorry)... So, I took today to think about what to post first. (Not to worry, my blog is first and foremost about the Loop in Chicago, but I will do several posts on my other favorite city, NYC.) My goal was to shoot 500 images, and I managed to get over 600 in the end. Here are a few I shot on my final evening.

Washington Square Park is anchored by this incredible arch on the north side. A monument to George Washington. Originally erected in 1889, in memory of the centennial of George's inauguration, the plaster and wood arch was replaced by the current marble version in 1892.

One of the two sculptures of George on the north face of the arch.

Standing under the center of the arch looking straight up.

Stefan pointed out this image... My eye for seeing things others don't is rubbing off on my friends...

From the fountain side of the arch. This was almost the last photo taken on my trip.

Jane Jacobs 1916-2006

2006-04-25T12:26:00.000-05:00

(from Curbed)

Jane Jacobs (age 89) died this morning at Western Hospital in Toronto Canada. Through her 1961 book "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" as well as many other writings, she has, in my opinion, been the most insightful and influential authority on urbanism and city planning as we know it today. While I don't have an official education in urban planning, I always been fascinated by her work, and know how important she has been in impacting the way we live in cities today. Many a critic thought her to be completely wrong in the sixties and seventies, and now look back and wish they had listened instead.

Further reading:
Jane Jacobs Dies (The Globe and Mail)
Jane Jacobs Bio (Wikipedia)

>D< (Unrelated; I have returned from Mecca, and will post about it tonight.) Image from Wikipedia

Still in NYC...

2006-04-22T15:54:00.000-05:00

Still in NYC, but I thought I would at least get one image up while I am here... If I can get to more before I leave, I will... Otherwise, you'll have to wait.

>D<

Gone to Mecca...

2006-04-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

...For a spiritual renewal of sorts.

Going to NYC for a few days, returning next week. My goal is to take 500 pictures (which really isn't that hard to do), but I promise I won't make you sit through a slide show of them all.

If I get a change to post images while I am away, I will.... In the meantime, please check out my Flickr Galleries for recent images.

This image taken last July in DUMBO.

>D<

Behind the Gehry...

2006-04-18T20:30:00.000-05:00

Many a critic has noted that the back (side facing Randolph St to the north) of the Gehry Bandshell was left incomplete, unfinished, and does not present well.
I for one actually like the "unfinished" look. How is this any different the front of most homes and many businesses in the city. They present to the street a nice pretty facade and only inches around the corner, the brick goes from attractive red or tan to the more utilitarian "Chicago Pink" brick. This wouldn't be so bad if our homes were actually built up side by side, in real row house fashion like NYC or Boston... But no, in Chicago, we separate hour houses by about four feet revealing the less attractive un-fancy sides of each one as you look down the gangway.
So, to the critics that don't like the backside of the bandshell... Get over it... How else can one see the incredibly intricate detail of how this monstrous thing was put together.

Lighting with dichroic lenses shine luminous color onto the steel plates.

Stairs leading to the restrooms from the east.

Close up of the complicated fittings.

Doors leading back stage with corrugated steel wall.

Random Mondays... 04.17.06...

2006-04-17T18:02:00.000-05:00

Today's randomness is from shots taken this past week which don't relate to previous posts.

First up, the sun setting down S. Water Street at Michigan Ave.

Crowds watching the news without the 3 second delay at WLS-ABC7's new State Street Studios.

Found in the Gold Coast... Would you steal this?

Trains awaiting passengers at Union Station, while pedestrians unwittingly walk above.

Vertical marquee close up at the Chicago Theater.

Broken... The glass at the bus stop (center section) on Madison and State was broken out only minutes before I shot this image last Wednesday evening at about 8:15PM, and sure enough, by morning it was all cleaned up and replaced with shiny new glass.

Meanwhile... Outside of the Loop...

2006-04-15T19:07:00.000-05:00

Today was such an incredibly beautiful day, that Michael and I decided to spend as much time outside as we could stand. And, in the end, we spent six hours on one very long walk (about four miles), and wandered around nabes in Lake View and Lincoln Park, and then ventured in to the park itself for a bit of nature.
To those that may wonder, this is proof that I don't confine all of my photo taking to urbanity. (Well, yes I do since this is still in the city.) Here is a small selection of the more than one hundred images I shot while on my walk.

First up, this tree was near the parking lot for the zoo.

Found in front of one of the many ubiquitous condo towers across from the park. Instead of taking a pic of the condo tower, I thought this was more relevant for the day.

Walking along the north pond, near the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (which I still have never gone to), a couple of young kids were playing with their bikes, and when one of them saw me with my camera, he told me about the turtles (just in case I would want to take a picture). He dragged Michael and I about 250 feet where we found this lovely creature sunning himself on a fallen limb in the water. He was right, I did want to take pictures...

Walking along the waters edge, we discovered dozens of turtles sunning themselves in the water, and in the end, I shot about fifty turtle pictures. This one was one of my faves, I didn't see the fifth one until I got home and downloaded the images.

An elderly couple was feeding squirrels, and this one was all too happy to sit still for me to take a shot while he was eating a nut or something.

From the bridge crossing over the south pond at the south entrance to the zoo. There was competition to take a pic between tourists, and a wedding party all trying to capture one of the best vistas in the city.

Cloudgate Finally Finished... Still Shiny...

2006-04-14T16:14:00.000-05:00

The Bean (aka Cloudgate) has finally been completed with the finishing touches, bringing out its shiny goodness. I like it that the seams are no longer visible, but in some ways, it feels less shiny because there is a slight distortion where there were once seams. This super shiny glob of mercury came in at about 17 million dollars, and even with that kind of money, they still could not get the distortion out of a few areas of the surface.

But, in the end, it is still a unique and amazing object to behold... Especially when there aren't hundreds of tourists huddling underneath it.

I haven't posted a lot of images of the Bean, mainly because I feel it has become a bit over exposed.

Yours truly...

Unrelated to the Bean, but close by... The Pritzker Pavilion. I really like how this shot came out, even without a tripod.

Lake Street Shadows...

2006-04-13T19:58:00.000-05:00

The "L" tracks over Lake Street stretch on for more than six and a half miles west of where the train turns onto Lake from Wabash Avenue.

I was over in the West Loop Gate area (or whatever it is being called this week) and standing in the middle of W Lake Street near N. Sangamon, looking west as the tracks cast their shadow onto the street below, I felt this interesting block of light effect...

I have always been a bit fascinated by the incredibly long path that the tracks take over the street, here are a few more shots from this past weekend.

Where in the Loop is This?... The Day After...

2006-04-13T07:15:00.000-05:00

OK...I have to say that I am really impressed by the knowledge level of my readers... Yesterday's "Where in the Loop is This?" was again apparently too easy. Anonymous is very smart, and guessed it only hours after I posted it, including the architect. I don't know who you are, but way to go!

The answer... 200 S Wacker, by Harry Weese. So to keep it interesting, I am posting another image... With the same question.

Where in the Loop is This?

Where in the Loop is This?... 04.12.06...

2006-04-12T17:38:00.000-05:00

Random Mondays... 04.10.06...

2006-04-10T19:42:00.000-05:00

Today's randomness is a bit all over the board, take a look...

First... Many are familiar with this costumed guy handing out gym coupons on several bridges. Here he (I have seen that it is indeed a he) is working Madison Street Bridge this past week.
I have seen him for years, and each time I do... I think about how incredibly awful it would be to be standing in an ape suit, sweating my brains out for what is probably minimum wage, and then I am reminded how lucky I am to not have to. (Also, note the hand holding the bag of oranges. This guy is here each morning hocking apples, oranges, and bananas. He brings them there in a red wagon.)

Underside of the shed roof on the Fullerton "L" platform. Was it really orange at one time? Or, is it just primer...?

Gate near Fulton Market in West Loop. It looks as though there have been several attempts to get through, including cutting the bars.

Inland Steel at Dusk. West Monroe and Dearborn.

Stairway to nowhere.... Well, the Trump site really, but it is quite a drop off as seen in the following image.

Didn't this staircase lead to a mini park?

Welcome Visitors from Apartment Therapy Chicago...

2006-04-10T15:28:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Apartment Therapy Chicago on your launch today, and thank you for including me on your sidebar!

To those who may have arrived here via Apartment Therapy Chicago, Welcome! I have been a big fan of the original Apartment Therapy (NYC) for the past couple of years, and am honored to be linked under A.T. Chicago. While my site isn't about apartments, it is about the urban life. I live in a small apartment (525 sq ft) in the Loop, and know all about the challenges of small space living.

Feel free to comment, criticize, say nice things, or just tell me off.

Devyn
>D<

Live from State Street!...

2006-04-09T20:08:00.000-05:00

While that has been one of my sayings for the past couple of years, tomorrow morning at 5AM will mark the unveiling of the new WLS ABC7 Chicago-State Street Studios. I stopped over this evening and snapped a few before all the hoopla begins tomorrow morning.

I can only imagine how long it will take for somebody to take hammer to the twisty vertical (and very expensive!) LED sign. It comes all the way down to the sidewalk, and there is only that little steel cable to keep the crowds back.

As you can see, since the opening isn't until tomorrow, the crowds are clearly still hangin out over at NBC 5's studios on Michigan Ave.

The Chicago Theater is getting in on the celebration as well (or at least that is how Channel 7 wants you to think, I am sure that sign cost them.)

I couldn't help but toss this image in... Isn't it typical of the CTA to have yet another broken down bus falling to pieces in the middle of the street? Our hard earned tax dollars, hard at work.

The Season has Opened...

2006-04-08T17:33:00.000-05:00

Today was the second home game for the Cubs in their newly revamped digs, and while I didn't make it to the game, I took an outdoor tour of the changes and was impressed.

This view from the Addison "L" platform.

On the corner of Waveland and Sheffield is a new entrance apparently paid for by Bud Light... I like that there is an elevator to comply with ADA.

I was impressed by how little the overhanging new bleacher addition impacts the sidewalk below. When you are on the sidewalk, it is almost as if it doesn't exist. The new brick pavers are a nice touch as well.

On Sheffield, there is a new access gate, which just walking down the street, you get a free glimpse of the field and the action.

Ticket windows for the sold out game.

The ubiquitous sign we all know so well. Sorry Comiski (Cell, or what ever you want to call it), it just isn't the same.

Trump-o-Rama...

2006-04-06T20:41:00.000-05:00

For many of my readers, the following pics are nothing special, but to those who live in Chicago vicariously through my images, the reality of the Trump International Hotel & Tower (TIH&T) rising above street level is downright astounding. I thought today I would post a few images of the progress so far, not the prettiest images, but this puts it in scale.

This view is from the front of the IBM Building on Wabash looking across the street. TIH&T is up to the second floor (of eighty two, I think?).

TIH&T from the plaza of the Wrigley Building along the river.

From the Michigan Ave Bridge, you can get a perspective of how it relates with the rest of the buildings along the river

Close up of the scaffolding.

Where in the Loop is This?...04.05.06

2006-04-05T20:01:00.000-05:00

It is Wednesday again, and that means it is time for this weeks "Where in the Loop is This?"

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 on next Wednesday.

This week I am showing an entire building. But, I will hold back on any clues for now.

Clue:
1) Will give clue only if necessary.

Last Weeks Image:

Well, I thought I put up a challenging one, but received an email from Tim with the correct answer only hours after my post. "Um...I'm gonna say the granite walls of the parking entrance to the Daily Center?" So, I guess another one was too easy...

I had to dig around for a pic which showed the lozenges, but I found this.

Random Mondays... 04.03.06...

2006-04-03T18:23:00.000-05:00

Today's randomness comes from all over the place.

First up... The completed glass lobby enclosure at 200 W Madison on the NE corner of Madison and Wells. Previously, the giant black steel sculpture, Dawn Shadows by Louis Nevelson (1983) was outside, exposed to the harsh Chicago elements. Now they have "scootched" the giant sculpture a few feet closer to the building, and enclosed it in glass. This took nearly a year to complete.

Proof that spring is closer to actually being here.

Shot this at the Harbor Point Condominiums located on the far east end of Randolph Street. I have way too many memories of these 1970s street lamps.

Zig zag of ramps on the Kennedy. Taken from near Randolph looking towards Washington.

Irving Park "L" Station this past Saturday evening after dining on delicious German food on Lincoln Ave.

I have posted this before, but by special request, I am reposting the Tiffany Ceiling at Marshall Fields. Shot from the main floor looking straight up to the sixth floor ceiling.

Death of another Parking Garage...

2006-04-02T20:25:00.000-05:00

Since it's no secret that I have an odd attraction to parking structures.... (more here) When I found out that another one of my favorites was being torn down, I had to go over and get pictures. I was quite fond of another long gone parking structure, the Hotel LaSalle Public Garage, and posted about it's demise last year.

This garage on the north side of the river on LaSalle St, while completely different than HLPG, stood out as a good example of simple, utilitarian, mid century parking structure design. But it was it's simplicity and honesty that I liked so much. It is being torn down to make way for... Shockingly, another skyscraper. 300 N LaSalle will rise on the site. Rendering of the building here.

Close up of the classic mid century neon sign. I had planned for more than year to get over here at night and shoot the sign while it was still working (which it was not that long ago when I rode the Brown Line), but like so many other things I have wanted to photograph, it is too late.

The sign says: "Remember where you parked. "B-1-N" Mark floor location on your ticket."

Stair tower at other end of garage, note the fire extinguisher still on the side of the top floor.

Close up of fire extinguisher, and rooftop exit sign above door.

A Brown Line Train can be seen through the remains crossing the bridge.

Snaking rebar everywhere.

Only the central structure is remaining.

Another fire extinguisher standing at the ready.

More from the MC Rooftop...

2006-04-01T00:24:00.000-06:00

I never tire of spending time on the top of Marina City taking pictures of the city. Especially night shots. A couple of weeks back, I was once again on top of the corncobs and here are a few of the shots I captured.

The top of the Jewelers Building with steam. I love the way that the steam exhausts out of the top of the dome.

Looking Southwest, full of color.

Working late nights at the Quaker Building.

Stairs at the Carbon and Carbide Building (Hard Rock Hotel).

Where in the Loop is This?... 03.29.06...

2006-03-29T07:15:00.000-06:00

It is Wednesday again, and that means it is time for this weeks "Where in the Loop is This?"

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 on next Wednesday.
This week:

Hint:
1) Thousands walk by these granite lozenges each day, I would bet, maybe a dozen or so actually notice them.

Last Weeks Image:

Well, I wasn't sure how long it would take to be guessed, but Jason Pettus was very close with this guess: "A detail from those ornate street lamps in the Loop, also on State Street." He had the first part correct, but for the second part, the lamp posts are along Wacker Drive. It never occurred to me that there would be birds molded into the lamp posts, till I stumbled on them one day.

The lamp post for the above close up at Wacker and Franklin.

I took this shot last year, which was the inspiration for last weeks post.

Random Mondays... 03.27.06...

2006-03-27T21:14:00.000-06:00

Reflections on Madison between Canal and Clinton.

Lower section of Riverbend (Where the parking is hidden). Note the silly town-houses on the waterfront.

Daley Plaza looking SE.

Seventh Floor Food Court at Marshall Fields.

Looking south through wind sculpture on the plaza at the AON Building on Randolph.

Helicopter Lift... Again...

2006-03-26T18:42:00.000-06:00

Today as we were reading the paper, we heard the familiar sound of chop, chop, chop..... This is the fifth time I have experienced a helicopter lift since moving to the Loop in 2003. This includes two times when I was paid $100.00 cash to vacate my apartment because the helicopter was lifting over my building. (See previous post here.)

Here are a few of the shots taken from my living room this morning.

As you can see, the helicopter came down in front of the Chicago Theater pretty low. It was different to be looking down given that I am not that high up.

The blades of the helicopter were only feet from the student housing on the corner of State and Randolph.

Where to Park?...

2006-03-25T08:16:00.000-06:00

Those close to me know, that I have this odd fascination with parking structures. This is even more unusual in that I don't own a car, and have disdain for those who think they are too good for public transit and insist on driving downtown and parking.
But that said, I have always been drawn to the physical presence of vast wide open space presented by the structures themselves. The rhythm of repeating floor after floor of nearly identical slabs of concrete angled just so, creating one continuous ramp from the street to the top. I appreciate the honesty of materials, used primarily for their utilitarian purpose, not trying to be anything other than what they are.

So, while looking through my images early this morning, I noticed that I have dozens of images of parking structures, but with the exception of the Hotel LaSalle Public Garage (also here and here) and a post about "Parking" signs, I haven't post a lot of them. So I went through and picked a few taken since the beginning of the year and present them for comment.

First up... This garage on Lake Street near LaSalle presents this sinuous curvy ramp for the driver to navigate, as if it were a grand lobby staircase at a hotel, hinting at your amazing parking space above.

Entrance to parking at Northwestern Hospital on E. Huron. The signage is supposed to be clear and easy to read, which for the most part, it is. However, there is so much signage going on it has now become confusing.

This parking ramp for the John Hancock looks like too much fun. What you don't see is that the entire ramp is lined with heat lamps (shown in this post) to melt snow off of your car before you take it into the garage.

Shot from State Street over the site of MoMo, this garage at Randolph and Wabash is fairly typical of garages built in the last 15 years. By taking the image out of focus, I was trying to capture just the elements of the lighting and structure. It still looks like a parking garage.

Shot from Randolph Street, this garage at Washington and Franklin is really like the one above, unremarkable. I walk by this on my way home from work nearly every day, and I am always drawn to the staircase windows. I like that the staircase is shown off like this, it offers a sense of safety to the customer.

This shot was taken from Wacker Drive, looking over the Trump project along Wabash, of the garage at State and Hubbard. This garage was for a very long time on my list of the most hideous structures in the city, until I shot this picture, and then later I saw it at night after the Sun Times Building came down.
By day, it is a giant imposing charcoal gray box, with no character other than a curve on the corner. But at night, it takes on a life of it's own, the imposing exterior becomes almost transparent and puts the cars within on display. As the cars and people move about, it almost creates a sense of parking theater. Now that the Trump is rising, the dead on view of this garage has gone away, and I can just kick myself for not taking more images while I had the chance.

Well, looking at how much I just wrote on parking garages, I am guessing my secret is out.

Sundown on Washington...

2006-03-23T18:44:00.000-06:00

Yesterday on my way home I was noticing that the sun setting in the clear skies, and being the time of year of the Spring Equinox, I remembered that the sun would set shining down the east/west streets of the Loop. I also remembered a spot on Washington where I had taken previous images, and immediately made my way over there.

I shot a few images on Washington at Clark last September when the sun shone down the streets like this before, and they didn't turn out so well. Well this time, standing under the scaffolding along side the County portion of the City/County Building, I took about a dozen shots, and the results weren't much better. But, the these didn't come out too bad.

Across the street (the scaffolding is on the right) looking West. I love the long shadows and eerie glow on the street during this very brief moment.

Walking toward State along B-37.

And finally, the ubiquitous image of the sun reflecting off of an "L" Train.

Where in the Loop is This?... 03.22.06...

2006-03-22T18:23:00.000-06:00

It is Wednesday again, and that means it is time for this weeks "Where in the Loop is This?"

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 on next Wednesday.

Hints:
1) This is actually quite easily found if you know where to look, as it appears in more than one location.

Last Weeks Image:

Well, it appears that if the first week was too difficult, then last weeks was too easy. Congrats go to "trmmilwwi", who nailed it with the first comment less than three hours after I posted it.

It was the courtyard on the fourth floor of the Fine Arts Building, an amazing place to roam around and check out the galleries on Michigan Avenue. Built as a showroom for Studebaker to show off the latest in carriages and wagons, the building was converted into studios and theaters for artists and craftsman in 1898. Very little has changed in this place, which just adds to the experience, and I highly recommend a visit to the courtyard.

Hopefully this weeks challenge is between the last two, challenging but not too easy.

Random Mondays... 03.20.06...

2006-03-20T07:08:00.000-06:00

Leo Burnett building showing off a Shamrock over the weekend. I think it was done with green film on the windows.

AMA building on State and Grand.

War Protesters turning from Wacker onto Clark this past Friday evening.

Tourists looking out from the 94th floor as seen from State and Chestnut yesterday.

House of Blues from above Friday evening.

Mitchell Domes (Part II)...Inside...

2006-03-17T07:30:00.000-06:00

A couple of days ago I posted on the outside of the Domes at Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee. Well, they are just as odd and intriguing on the inside as the were on the outside.
I must note that several of my interior images of the building connecting the three domes didn't come out, so I am showing the underside of the various domes in all their geometric madness.

Cactus in the Arid Dome.

Where in the Loop is This?... 03.15.06...

2006-03-15T18:05:00.000-06:00

Last week I tried a new feature out on my blog... One image, one question. "Where in the Loop is This?" Well, the response was good enough to do it again. This time I tried to make it easier to guess (I hope).
Let me know if you can identify the location of where this image was taken, and/or what the image is. No prizes, but I will reveal the answer and first correct guesser the next Wednesday.

Hints:
1: This building once housed a horse carriage showroom.
2:
3:

Last Weeks Image:

My first attempt at this new series was much more challenging than I thought it would be. It took a while, but Chicagolvr did guess that it would be a Bridge Tender who would have access to the space, as well as the guess about it being unheated space causing the the running water sign. This is the Randolph Street Bridge House, and the image of the window (red arrow at bottom) was shot from the bridge.

Hints...
1:This was shot from street level.
2:There is a good reason why the water would need to be running this time of year.
3:The general public does not have access to this space.
4: The person(s) which would access this space have the word "tender" in their job title.

As a qualifier, I will consider the boundaries of the Loop to be the area between Roosevelt to the south, Chicago Ave to the north, Lake Michigan to the east, and the Kennedy to the west.

Mitchell Domes (Part I)...Outside...

2006-03-14T19:07:00.000-06:00

A few weeks back I was in Milwaukee for the very cold Presidents Day weekend, and to alleviate the low single digit temps, we stopped by the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) to warm up. Today I am posting a few images taken from the outside of The Domes. Completed in 1967, the architecture is classic Mid-Century Googie Architecture.

Looking at the trees and plant life inside the domes makes me think of Biosphere 2, that weird experiment in the Arizona Desert from the early 90s.

We were there before it closed for the day, so by the time we were leaving, the place was almost desolate.

Random Mondays...03.13.06...

2006-03-13T20:53:00.000-06:00

Standing at Washington Wells on Saturday.

Another "L" Station, this one is Randolph and Wabash. I wonder how many years it has been since the dangling neon actually worked.

Daley Plaza, staircase down to the Concourse below. It wasn't until I downloaded the image did I notice the way the lower section of the bronze rail (center) is reflected in the upper portion of the rail.

Looking west on Madison in front of 2 N Riverside Plaza.

Unrelated to the Loop (other than being in it), but over the weekend, I was installing carpet, and had to disassemble all of the components of my computer, TV, home theater system and more. This is the resulting jumble of cables, wires, and cords. The pile was mind boggling.

More Greenie-ness...

2006-03-12T21:08:00.000-06:00

They had their annual dyeing of the Chicago River Green for St Patrick's Day yesterday. Apparently the whole city decided to celebrate the holiday yesterday, an entire week early. Why does Chicago always have to celebrate holiday's on dates other than when they happen? I never understood.

I didn't have a chance to go there and take a bunch of pictures, I did manage to get a couple in while at Marina City in the afternoon. The view from the rooftop of East Tower.

And, from upper 30's of Wacker and Dearborn.

While standing on the balcony, I caught the reflection of Marina City reflected in the Quaker building across the way.

Meanwhile, back at Daley Plaza... Daytime shots of the fountain taken yesterday.

It is such a weird green.

Behold... The First Hint of Spring...

2006-03-10T20:53:00.000-06:00

Behold, I bring you the green flowing waters of Daley Plaza.

This the first true sign that Spring is only months away. Correct me if I am wrong (and it was earlier in the week), but today was the first full day of operation for the fountain at Daley Plaza this year.

Tonight on my way home, I walked over and took a few shots of the fountain.

They only dye the fountain twice a year. Right now, when they officially kick off fountain season, and just before fountain season ends on Halloween, they dye it orange. I don't know which is more difficult to clean from the granite.

OK, so I shot it from each corner...

Tomorrow the second sign of Spring... A Green Chicago River

Where in the Loop is This?... 03.08.06...

2006-03-08T18:48:00.000-06:00

I thought I would try out a new feature on my blog... One image, one question. "Where in the Loop is This?"
Let me know if you can identify the location of where the image was taken, and/or what the image is. No prizes, but I will reveal the answer and first correct guesser the following week. If you think this is a stupid idea, let me know that as well.

This week's image was taken on Monday, note that there really is water running.

Hints...
1:This was shot from street level.
2:There is a good reason why the water would need to be running this time of year.
3:The general public does not have access to this space.
4: The person(s) which would access this space have the word "tender" in their job title.

As a qualifier, I will consider the boundaries of the Loop to be the area between Roosevelt to the south, Chicago Ave to the north, Lake Michigan to the east, and the Kennedy to the west.

Random Mondays... 03.06.05...

2006-03-06T19:05:00.000-06:00

Today's randomness was culled from images shot over this past week.

First up: Stairs to Washington Wells CTA Station.

Standing at the intersection of Randolph and Harbor Drive, it was amazing how clear it was on Saturday. Lake Shore Drive in the foreground, Steam rising from a mill more than 30 miles away, near Michigan City, Indiana.

Back of the Peristyle at Millennium Park.

Clark and Division on the CTA Red Line.

The Lancaster on N. West Shore Drive (odd street name) in the new Lakeshore East community. I am not sure I would want that much of my life on display.

Getting Ready for Oscar at Siskel...

2006-03-05T17:51:00.000-06:00

The klieg lights are out this evening in front of the Gene Siskel Film Center in preparation for an Oscar Night America - Chicago benefit.

Slushyness...

2006-03-05T17:13:00.000-06:00

Sitting in my apartment this afternoon, I was feeling like I just had to get out and take a few pictures. But with the snow fall being the wet and juicy sort, having my camera out in this weather isn't the smartest thing to do. Well... I don't always do the smartest things.
I only walked a couple of blocks, but after about 20 minutes, my camera started getting wet, and it was time to get back into the warmth of my apartment. Here are a few shots of slushyness this afternoon.

Daley Plaza was deserted and austere this afternoon, I was there for about ten minutes, and not a single person was around.

Note the grid of the plaza all aligned with the structure... So very Meisian...

Cook County Building across the way with snowy trees.

Randolph and Washington, the sidewalk was a bit like a spilled slurpy, but the lack of people made for a rare moment of quiet in my nabe.

OK, not related to the Daley Center, but what is with this silly chefs hat on the Fields Clock on Randolph Street?

Random Marshall Field and Co...

2006-03-02T19:11:00.000-06:00

I was running errands this evening and found myself walking through Marshall Fields. Since I had my camera with me, I stopped and took a few random shots.

Standing under the Tiffany ceiling looking up. One of the things I love about Marshall Fields is that I can take my camera out, shoot lots of pictures, and all without any hassle from store personnel or security. A real luxury in this post 911 skiddishness. I can only hope Macy's retains this same policy.

Standing under the other light court on the northwest side of the store.

OK, this was from a few weeks ago (before the decor in the previous image), but the sheer regal feeling of this space is unlike any other retail space in the country.

Back to this evening, running my errand took me through the Pedway alongside Marshall Fields. Has this been painted since the 80s?

Thanks BEZ...

2006-03-01T08:46:00.000-06:00

Thank you, WBEZ, for putting me on your front page today. Looks like my membership is paying off... He... He...

>D<

The Berghoff Has Left the Building...

2006-02-28T20:19:00.000-06:00

Well... By the time you are reading this, the end has come for the venerable Berghoff restaurant. I did a few posts on the Berghoff this past year well before I knew of the impending closure.

For today's post, I thought I would dig up a few images from the past year and present them again.This shot was taken this past January on a chilly, but sunny day. Another perfect use for 16:9 format.

Another sign, from another time, soon to be gone.
Perhaps they'll open up a Subway sandwich shop across the street.

Saturday crowd, lining up for lunch.

This shot from last September was an attempt to recapture the reflections captured the previous March.

The March shot that captured me.

I have taken dozens of shots of the reflection of the sign in the window this past year. None (in my mind) equal the one I took last March.

Here is the result from January...

...And last May with the neon lit....

...And the shot from last March that started them all. Of the more than 15,000 images I have shot in the Loop, this has become one of my absolute favorites.

Previous Posts on the Berghoff:
12/28/2005: Another Loss
09/22/2005: Reflections on the Equinox
05/09/2005: The Berghoff

Random Mondays... 02.27.06...

2006-02-27T07:23:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately... Sometimes life gets a bit busy. Today's randomness covers an assortment of images taken over the last few weeks.

540 W Madison, again... (Previously here and here.)
I pass by this place all the time while going to the grocery store after work, and if the light is right, I will pull out my camera and attempt to take pictures.

An unexpected window behind the bar at N9ne from Washington Street.

Another shot of the Kennedy , this time from Monroe (which is now closed I think, for renovation).

On a Saturday in late January, I was walking down Jackson and couldn't help but notice the silhouette of the pedestrians crossing the street.

RAM (Racine Art Museum)... While driving back to Chicago last weekend, we drove down Main Street in Racine, Wisconsin. RAM is devoted to Contemporary craft, with a focus on materials.

Cabrini Gone...

2006-02-23T19:06:00.000-06:00

Rushing around in my rental car this past Saturday morning, I happened upon Division Street and saw this. I absolutely had to stop the car and trudge out in below zero temps to get a few snapshots of the highrise on it's deathbed.

For once, I am not upset to see a building come down. If only they could take the rest of them down. Nobody should have to live in what these buildings became.

One of the remaining buildings still occupied in background.

You have to hand it to residents using color to attempt to make the place more tolerable.

I am guessing fire stairs... And the small openings were trash chute's.

Inside MAM...

2006-02-21T18:59:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I posted about MAM using exterior images, and as promised, today, it is all about the inside. I had a very difficult time sorting through more than 50 images of the interior, but I managed to bring it down to this group.

I will begin with standing in the main hall, looking up at the underside of the Burke Brise Soleil.

They sell a postcard of this image, but why buy an postcard when you can do it yourself. I happened to get lucky with a person at the other end of the space, unfortunately, the floor (unlike the postcard) needed to be polished.

Round Elevator from the bridge entrance.

Round Elevator from inside.

Afternoon sun shining in the West Galleria.

West Galleria between the beams.

Same shot, earlier with different angle.

East Galleria and it's shiny floor.

East Galleria looking towards the entrance to the regular collection.

Person on bench in East Galleria.

Different person, different angle.

Looking up at the West Galleria from the lower level.

Light-well East Galleria.

Oh, and they have art too! Really good art!

This was the first time I have had the opportunity to visit MAM, and I was quite impressed, not just with the Calatrava wing, but the collection itself. It was quite simply, amazing. They have a fantastic collection of 20th century art, covering a very broad range including fine examples of Pop Art, New Realism, Minimalism, Post Minimalism, Contemporary Art, and a lot more. The trip was so very worth it, even if the temp on Saturday never exceeded 3 degrees.

Thank You MAM...

2006-02-20T19:18:00.000-06:00

I have returned from a couple of days in Milwaukee. We survived the cold (although I don't recommend vacationing during single digit weather), a bad HoJo experience, and arctic ice. I must say; while there is no doubt about my gratitude of calling 60602 my home, I had a great time in the land of cheese.

The primary purpose of our trip was to see the "Bruce Nauman Works with Light" at the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM). Located on the lakefront, at the edge of downtown, MAM is a real feast for the eyes. The Quadracci pavilion (shown here) was architect Santiago Calatrava's first completed project in the US. Opened in 2001, the building itself is worth the price of admission alone.

Unfortunately, weather was such that they were not able to open the Burke Brise Soleil while we were there. I have seen it once on a brief visit several years ago.

The view looking down the bridge connecting the museum from downtown to the lakefront.

Same view about fifteen feet to the right.

East end of the bridge next to the prow.

About 15 feet from the prior image on the approach to the round elevator (which was very cool on it's own.).

Tomorrow... The interior!

Away for a couple of days...

2006-02-16T21:41:00.000-06:00

I am away for a couple of days, will return by Monday. (Oh, and thanks for taking me over the 30,000 mark today!)

I See Red...

2006-02-14T21:22:00.000-06:00

I understand why buildings change the lighting on their buildings for different holiday's, but it surprises me that Valentines day warrants the unionized manpower to change the color gels on their outdoor lighting.
So tonight, in honor of Valentines Day, and for my Valentine... I bring you a series of shots taken tonight from the top of Marina City showing buildings lit up red for the occasion.

First up, the LaSalle Wacker Building in the foreground, and the red in the background is 540 W Madison.

I took about 80 shots from the rooftop tonight, but unfortunately, the wind was not to my favor, and many of them just didn't come out. Of the several attempts to capture the Sears Tower, this one was about as good as it got. Also included... 311 S Wacker (aka: White Castle Headquarters).

Looking north, Chicago Place looming in the distance.

This pic is actually amazing when you think that I was two miles away. I am amazed at how clearly you can see the front of the Field Museum.

The top of the Heritage at Millennium Park has become a new addition to the forest of holiday lit buildings.

OK, not taken tonight, nor from the top of Marina City, but about a week ago when I was hanging out around the Lake Street Bridge. The Merchandise Mart is always a good one to rely upon to know what holiday is next. (Note the Sterling on the right in the background.)

Random Mondays... 02.13.06...

2006-02-13T19:34:00.000-06:00

Today's randomness is from images shot over the last ten days.

First, at about 7:02 AM this past Thursday, I awoke to the sun rising and reflecting on the west side of the Jewelers Building.

The demolition of the Joyce (correction: Julian) Hotel on Belmont near the Red Line.

What was once a Holiday Inn from the 60's, then a Quality Inn, it is now a Crown Plaza Hotel (imagine the luxury from Holiday Inn to Crown Plaza) on the corner of Madison and Halsted.

Opposite corner across the intersection, the new MB Bank building.

Escalators at what is still Marshall Fields (in name only) State Street store. Notice that the green lighting which has filled the atrium for the last three years is gone. (As a side note, I highly recommend "Frontera Fresco" in food court on the seventh floor.)

Traffic and the Lake Street Bridge...

2006-02-12T08:27:00.000-06:00

Last week while walking home from work, I took a short detour and set the camera up to capture traffic movement on the Lake Street Bridge. I have been having a lot of fun playing with the setting on my camera, and learning how to use it to my advantage. I feel like I have so much more to learn, but be assured, as I go, I will post the better test images.

Here are some of the results.

I took a couple dozen shots, trying to time the traffic movement to maximize the effect, but this turns out to be harder than I thought when working with a 2 second timer and a long shutter speed.

The next two are taken from approximately the same position. The second one has less traffic, but the Green Line is approaching overhead.

Lastly, the Metra tracks below the bridge which were carrying traffic below me.

Park on Wells...

2006-02-09T18:30:00.000-06:00

Parking in the Loop can be quite expensive. Which is fine with me (except when I have a rental car) as long as it encourages the use of public transit. There is quite the concentration of parking facilities along Wells Street, which makes sense with the "L" running overhead. Shot taken at Wells and Monroe.

I always find it kinda funny that they need to include the word "Public" on parking signs. I would think that if it would be more important to declare "Private Parking".

I like the diamond plate background. Nice touch.

Clearly a lot of thought was put into this design.

Sears Tower Parking. I like the yellow with black.

Urb...Out... Open...

2006-02-08T19:28:00.000-06:00

I remember how cool Urban Outfitters seemed when I first started shopping the Seattle store in 1991... And even though their target market is nearly half my age, I still enjoy looking at the tchotchke from time to time.

Well, today was the grand opening of their new State Street store, so I thought I would post a few images taken over the past month. This shot taken on January 18th, as they were working on the facade.

Only two days after the shot above, they had to remove the Urban Outfitters sign from the building (look behind the subway exit) in order to install the mesh panels. Guess they should have thought about that before they installed the sign.

Curious about the sign sitting on the sidewalk, I walked across the street to get a picture of it only to find it being rolled away around the corner. As I ran to the corner, I got this shot just as they were turning into the alley.

Last week, the mesh panels are up, the sign is back up, and there were dozens of skinny little hipster types stuffing the shelves with merchandise.

Tonight, I stopped in for their opening day. They will be open until 9:00 PM each night... I am really glad to see that. It's a good thing for my street. More businesses on State Street= more people= safer streets= nicer place to live.

Thrift store chandeliers spray painted white.

Random Mondays... 02.06.06...

2006-02-06T19:47:00.000-06:00

My selection of images this week again focuses on night shots. I have been having a blast learning how to take night images. I see it as a challenge. So long as it isn't too cold, I hope to spend a lot more time out during the evening.

Crate and Barrel on Michigan Ave.

Protesters at last Tuesdays rally. I like that it isn't quite focused. To me it has a sense of urgency. Taken at Daley Center.

Marina City Rooftop, looking at the ring of lights atop East Tower. Taken from West Tower, IBM is behind.

Ice on sidewalk, Wacker and Wabash

More ice nearby. Look carefully, the ice is actually suspended above the concrete where it has melted on the underside. One step down on it, and crunch, the tiny suspended sections gone.

Chicago River looking west from base of Wabash Bridge

"Pillars".... Err... Columns...

2006-02-04T12:18:00.000-06:00

I remember renting a ninety year old apartment in Seattle back in '95, which had two columns in the formal entry area. When my landlord was describing the apartment for the first time, he kept talking about how it had "Pillars, two of them". He kept calling them pillars long after I moved in, reminding me that they were an amenity. This I suppose was to make up for the 1970s linoleum in the kitchen, the used commercial office carpet covered in cigarette burns glued down over the hardwood floors, and the fact that in ninety years, nobody ever managed to install a shower, tub baths only. (I immediately installed a shower at my expense... I don't really miss those days of bohemian living.) So, while shooting images for my previous post, I glanced across the street at Union Station and thought about pillars. While the two words are basically synonyms, columns is definitely the more appropriate term.

Today, I bring you pillars.

Lined up along Canal street, I imagine this was quite a presence to see while crossing the river when completed in 1913.

As seen from the inside of the portico. I really like how they have installed up-lights at the base of each column. It adds to the drama.

Top of portico

222 (Without the Codeine)...

2006-02-02T18:56:00.000-06:00

Anybody that has spent any time in Canada knows that you can purchase 222's over the counter. Well, this is a completely different kind of 222...

By special request, I do my best to see 222 S Riverside Plaza differently than the thousands which pass under it on their way to and from Union Station everyday. I will try to be kind... But... Well....

I wouldn't call it world class architecture, 222 S Riverside Plaza (known as Gateway Center III), is what it is. It could be worse.

When I went to look it up, it was given barely a nod in my book on Loop architecture. Completed in 1972, this is not one of SOMs better works. Something tells me they had hoped it would be forgotten after it was completed.

My guess is that the barrel vaulted entrance was a later edition.

The round top actually doesn't work with the rest of the building, but I suspect they were attempting to draw your attention away from the gridded box of a building.

Wind blown tree branches blurry against the building.

"Metra-ites" scurrying home from the big bad city to the relative blandness and perceived safety of the burbs.

Wells Street...

2006-02-01T19:47:00.000-06:00

I cross it at least ten times a week, but rarely walk it up and down. A couple of Saturday's ago I was strolling along Wells, and took a few shots.

First up: One of my favorites, the often overlooked 181 W Madison (1990, Cesar Pelli).

Sunlight dappling through the "L" tracks, shiny on the pavement.

More shiny pavement.

Snow dusted concrete on parking structure.

200 West Adams reflecting the steam rising off a building across the street.

One Year Ago...

2006-01-30T19:31:00.000-06:00

It began one year ago today.... My first few posts were not much... The format needed work.... But, not being the best at self promotion, I have managed to cobble together more than 1000 images in more than 250 posts, and you my dear readers provide me with well over a hundred visitors a day. Thanks!
I thought about the past year, and how to represent it, so I went back through and found a few of my favorite images along with links to the related posts from this past year.

In February, I brought you Ice:

In March it was all about a Green River:

In April I took a closer look at 540 W Madison:

May found me looking at Breasts:

June gave me access to views from atop Marina City:

In July there were Things that Involve Water:

In August I posted various Sharp Night Shots:

In September I took a liking to the Corner Shot:

October granted me access to night shots of Daley Center:

On a Sunny November day I stumbled across the Pittsfield Escape:

December was all about the Final Rush:

And finally, January was all about warmth and a Foggy Hancock:

Other highlights of the year included being mentioned last May in an article by Chicago Tribune Architecture Critic, Blair Kamin about temporary views. As well as several mentions and/or photo credits on such sites as Chicagoist and Gapers Block.

My major project of the year was my Unknown Loop Streets Series. Over the course of several months, I posted on 15 different streets mapped on Google, located within the Loop, but unknown to most passersby.

The new year brings new challenges, new opportunities, and with the new camera, I hope better images. My priority is to learn how to take better images, and how to use my camera to my advantage. I also plan to introduce a completely updated and better site over the next few months.
Thanks again... To you my reader... For keeping me motivated to get my butt out there and shoot images of my neighborhood.

EDIT - 1/31/06: I fixed all of the images above so that they will open larger in a new window. I meant to do it yesterday, but didn't get a chance.

Night Shots from "Top of the MC"...

2006-01-28T13:02:00.000-06:00

Thursday evening was so crystal clear, I had to take advantage of the situation and go up to the rooftop of Marina City for night shots. It was however, was so windy and cold, not much came out, so I posted shots taken from Michaels balcony.
Well, last night was a bit warmer, a bit less windy, and even more crystal clear. I didn't have much better luck than on Thursday, but between the two evenings, I came up with this group.

First: The Hancock under 12x zoom. A bit noisy, and slightly out of focus, but on a better night, I will get a better image.

IBM next door. The "orange" floor is the conference floor for ____? (Answer to come soon.)

The view looking north and a bit west.

I tried this image on both nights, of about ten shots, this was the best one.

Looking west from West Tower. Riverbend in all it's bluish "blueness" is a nice addition to the skyline.

Pie Slice in the Sky (Part III)

2006-01-26T20:32:00.000-06:00

Today was a wonderfully sunny and clear and I wanted to get out there and take some pics. Unfortunately, I had to wait till evening. Michael led me up to the roof deck at Marina City and, with tripod in hand, and a goal to capture new shots of the city, I did manage to take a few dozen or so. Unfortunately, when I got home and downloaded them, the wind blowing on my camera was just too strong for many of the images to be presentable.

I did however spend some time on Michael's balcony tonight and took several shots. So picking up on a series from this past June (Part I) and (Part II), I bring you more from the pie slice in the sky.

More 16:9 goodness, I really like the wide, almost "pano" feel of this aspect ratio setting.

Looking south across the balcony next door.

Looking up at West Tower.

Back to regular old 4:3, looking down at House of Blues.

Down on the ground looking up, you can see the new ring of lights they have installed at the top of the "cap" on the roof.