Concrete Waves: Chicago’s Twin West Side Natatoria
by guest author Nate Lielasus The roof of the Ida Crown Natatorium in Eckhart Park is a wave of concrete about to crash onto the shore of Chicago Avenue. Slightly older than its twin in Harrison Park, at 18th and Wood Streets, the Eckhart Park Natatorium was constructed in 1961. The two Natatoria were built … Read more
The Ultimate Mies: The IBM Building
by guest author Elisabeth Logman To the casual onlooker the IBM Building may appear to be just one modern highrise among many in Chicago, but the building’s prototypical character speaks volumes about the powerful influence of the building’s iconic architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Mies came to Chicago in 1938 from Germany to serve … Read more
Churches for Changing Times
This is the second post in five-part series on architect Edward Dart by guest author Matt Seymour. Edward Dart: Church Architect From the early 1950s to the mid 1960s, Edward Dart designed 26 churches that were constructed primarily in the Chicago area. The majority of the churches were designed in developing communities of the 1950s … Read more
Get Ready for Chicago Modern Events!
What do Pulitzer-Prize winning architectural critic Paul Goldberger, architect and “Mall Maker” Victor Gruen, Mad Men’s Don Draper, and the Hancock Center have in common? They all are part of the “Chicago Modern: More than Mies” events this spring! The Save Prentice Coalition, along with CAF, the Mies van der Rohe Society, AIA Chicago, the … Read more
Cast Your Vote to Show Prentice Some Love!
Do you ♥ Prentice? Thanks to everyone who Showed Prentice Some Love for Valentine’s Day! The five best valentines are posted and you can cast your vote by Feb. 16th to let us know which one you like best. The winners will get some fabulous prizes, include free beer and bowling at the 10pin at … Read more
Astor Tower Hotel: Goldberg in the Gold Coast
This is the first post in a series by guest author Susannah Ribstein The Astor Tower Hotel is an architectural gem hidden in plain sight. Located at the corner of Astor and Goethe Streets in the Gold Coast, it is a physically prominent but historically under-recognized tower designed by one of Chicago’s favorite modernist architects: … Read more
“Chicago Modern: More than Mies” is here!
by Chris Morris, Chicago Field Office, National Trust for Historic Preservation Chicago is a city that has long been known for architectural innovation. For over a century it’s been the home to some of the most prominent figures on the architecture scene and their canonical buildings. And when people think of Chicago’s Modern architecture, they most … Read more
Chicago’s Brutalist “Cadillac:” C.F. Murphy Associates’ 1968 Blue Cross-Blue Shield Building
by guest author John D. Cramer. It’s been called the “Pound (#) Building” for its unusual profile along the south bank of the Chicago River and its massing reminded many 1960s Chicagoans of a large parking garage. But to many architects and critics who celebrated its completion in 1968, Chicago’s Blue Cross-Blue Shield Building at … Read more
