"Meet me under the Marshall Field's Clock" - Sketch # 10

The Marshall Field's Clock at State & Washington (and Randolph & State)

This magnificent clock was designed by Pierce Anderson of the firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White and is made of almost 8 tons of cast bronze.  The story goes that Marshall Field saw the corners of his store becoming a popular meeting place and felt that a great clock would give the corner distiction and also help people with puncuality.  Good idea!  The clock was intalled on Nov. 26th, 1897 and has been helping people get together ever since.

Sketch # 9 - The Merchandise Mart

The Merchandise Mart

Built in 1930  by Marshall Field to consolidate the merchandise for his stores, the 'Mart' was known as the ""the largest building in the world".  Designed by Architects - Graham, Anderson, Probst and White, in the Art Deco style, the building sits majestically on the Chicago River. The Merchandise Mart is huge - it covers two city blocks and has over 5 miles of corridors.  It's so big in fact that it had it's own zip code (until 2008).  It's also known for being owned by the Kennedy family for over 50 years.

 Today it houses Furniture and Designer Showrooms - and hosts multiple tradeshows and Art & Antique Fairs.  Neocon , one of the biggest design tradeshows, is coming up in June.

My good friend Donna requested I sketch this building.  She worked there for years, and said it's one of her favorite Chicago places.  It is an amazing place!

Sketch # 8 - Chicago or Paris?

Le Metra - Van Buren Metra Station

This entrance to the Van Buren St. Metra Station was a gift from Chicago's sister city Paris in 2001.  Paris is my 2nd favorite city (next to Chicago) and so I love to see this glimse of Paris here in my city.  The Metro station entrances of Paris were designed by Hector Guimard around 1900 in the Art Nouveau style.

State Street - that Great Street! - Sketch # 7

The Chicago Theatre Sign and Marina City

On State Street (that Great Street!) the Chicago Theatre sign really greats you.  The sign is almost 6 stories tall and a true landmark.  The Chicago Theatre was built in 1921, Designed by Cornielius and George Rapp.  The interior is spectacular and modeled after Versailles.  And the venue is still going strong - check out the upcoming attractions.
Beyond the theatre you can see the Lake Street El (elevated train) and Marina City.

Sketch # 6 - 35 E. Wacker - The Jewelers' Building

The Jewelers' Building

Designed by Joachim Giaver & Frederick Dinkelberg, the Jewelers' building was built in 1925.  A "high tech" building for it's day, it had an automobile elevator for safely transporting precious gems to any of the lower 23 floors.  The domed tower was originally a restaurant, and is now part of the office of Architect Helmut Jahn.

Sketch #5 - Crain Communications Building

View from the Nichols Bridgeway
connecting Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago's Modern Wing

When Renzo Piano spoke at the opening of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute in 2009, he talked about designing the Nichols Bridgeway, and how it is connecting Urban Life & Culture. He said "Culture makes people better, it's about putting some light in your eyes & it's about making life better."  Walking along the bridge is an elevating experience and a beautiful way to see the City and Millennium Park.  The views are spectacular all along the way.   Looking North - this view focuses on The Crain Communications Building, designed by A. Epstein and Sons in 1984.

Sketch # 4 - The Picasso at Daley Plaza

The Picasso during Christkindlmarket

This 50' tall sculpture by Picasso has become a 'must-see' landmark in Chicago since it's unveiling in 1967.  It is made from Corrosive Tensile (Cor-Ten) steel, as is the Daley Center building, behind the Picasso.  William E Hartman, a senior partner of Skidmore, Owings & Merril LLP, was instrumental in the project - and managed the team at SOM that engineered the design/construction drawings for the sculpture.

Daley Plaza, surrounded on 4 sides by tall buildings, feels like an outdoor room.  The space is extremely people friendly and the Festivals (like Christkindlmarket), events, markets and concerts keep the plaza hopping.

Picasso donated his design for this sculpture to Chicago as a gift.