Wordless Wednesday

Tribune Tower

Another one of my favorite Chicago Buildings is the Tribune Tower.

In 1922 the Chicago Tribune hosted an international design competition for its new headquarters, and offered $100,000 in prize money with a $50,000 1st prize for "the most beautiful and distinctive office building in the world". The competition worked brilliantly for months as a publicity stunt, and the resulting entries still reveal a unique turning point in American architectural history. More than 260 entries were received.

I think they really did end up with a beautiful building.

Chicago Loop Architecture Walking Tour

When I found this website I had to bookmark it, I knew it would be handy & today it was.
http://www.metrowalkz.com/Tours/Loop/loop.html

The weatherman said it was supposed to be 70 degrees out - p.s. it wasn't, 48 when I started out at almost noon. I think there was still a wind chill factor today & it was WINDY... but a great day to wander the city.

I did not complete the entire tour - I wandered off course a little :)

But here is a little of what I did find...

 

The Chicago Cultural Center is one of my 3 favorite buildings in the city (so far).

(Click for a little history if you're interested)

This building is SO beautiful! You have to see it in person. There was a piano recital going on while I was there today. I love this place!

The Carbide and Carbon Building is almost across the street from my office. The green and gold is striking.  Such a contrast to the modern Trump Tower in the background. All that glitz isn't an accident. There is an urban legend which states that the shape and color of the building were inspired by a champagne bottle. It's not that hard to imagine it as a green curvy bottle with bubbly foaming from the top and dripping down the sides.

 I did not wander down here today... I'll post pictures of this in the future.

OK, I didn't wander over here today either - but I had this picture from a River Architecture Cruise I had taken one summer...

  

Nope, not from today either...

(click for a little history)

  

 

The building looks a bit like a space ship in the middle of the city - but variety is the spice of life.

I missed Miss Chicago, I think Darth Vader distracted me. I'll have to catch up with her another time.

 I'm here pretty regularly - I'll have to remember to take better pics...

 

These pics are from when I took my parents downtown at Christmas, we had lunch at the Atwood Cafe in the Reliance Building, it's beautiful - like walking back in time.

 It just seems weird to have a Target store in this gorgeous building...

  

 

 The Rookery is closed to the public on Sunday. I've been past this building dozens of times,

I had no idea what it was. Can't wait to get inside!

Fun day! I love Chicago!