Chicago, part two (October 2019)

Last week I warned that today’s post may not be much more than a mass of disjointed architectural photos. I was right about one thing: today’s post is entirely architectural photos. But I’ve actually organized the photos, and prepared myself to write a narrative for at least some of my subjects. Rather than my usual chronological presentation, the photo galleries below are in alphabetical order. Visiting all these buildings in the order below would be ridiculous.

Allerton Hotel: This hotel was completed in 1924, and was part of a national chain of “club hotels”. Who would’ve guessed dudes were still carrying clubs around in the 1920’s? I thought that ended with the cavemen.

Tip Top Tap was the name of the cocktail lounge inside the hotel.

Auditorium Building: There is so much to be said about this building, but I’ll limit my comments to this – take the guided tour of the auditorium itself. Just take it!

A small office tower sits atop the Auditorium Building…

Carbide and Carbon Building: Could the name be any more exciting? Well, probably. But it looks much better than it sounds. This 1929 art deco classic is easily one of my two favorite buildings in Chicago!

Century Tower: I just snapped a few quick pics of this one as I walked past.

Chicago Motor Club Bldg: Built in 1928, this was the headquarters of the Chicago Motor Club. Must have been quite a club, to build its own skyscraper. Now it’s a hotel.

Clark Adams Building: To me, this one looks like it was just slapped together with pieces left over from other buildings.

Columbia College Chicago occupies the building you see below; I didn’t spot a separate name for the building itself.

Fisher Bldg: This one was built in 1896, and has all kinds o’ cool ornamentation!

Manhattan Bldg: Judging by it’s name, I’d say this building is lost. Especially if what I’ve read of the New York vs Chicago rivalry is true. Lost or not, it has a bit of exterior decor that’s either disturbing or trippy (or both). Have a look-see…

The behemoth you see below is the Merchandise Mart. When it opened in 1930, it had the most floor space of any building in the world – FOUR MILLION square feet!

Monadnock Bldg: This building has a remarkable lack of ornamentation for its time (it was built in 1891). So what makes this building special? Unlike most skyscrapers, it was built without a steel frame. At 16 stories, it’s the tallest load-bearing brick building ever constructed.

The most ornate part of the building’s exterior

One LaSalle Street: This is another art deco classic! Completed in 1930, this 49-story building was the tallest in Chicago for over 30 years.

Palmolive Bldg: The art deco beauty drips from this building, to the point where I was soaking in it! (If you’re old enough, you’ll get that joke.) Definitely one of my favorite buildings!

The Rookery: Built in 1888 and twelve stories high, this is Chicago’s oldest high-rise. Note that the street names are a permanent part of the building – especially interesting since Rookery Court nowadays appears to be (at best) an unnamed alley.

I didn’t spot a formal name for this building, but it houses a Travelodge at present, and has a little bit o’ art deco styling.

Tribune Tower: This building was undergoing some serious renovation when I was there, and much of it was obscured by scaffolding, so I only got a couple pics.

Trustees System Service Bldg: A very mundane name for a decidedly non-mundane bldg. This one is a true classic of art deco! I could have spent days photographing it, but the weather was icky, and there really aren’t any good angles to photograph this one from.