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.

Sketch # 3 - The Fine Arts Building

The Fine Arts Building

I recently went on a wonderful tour of the Fine Arts Building given by the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF).  This building is the 'The Nations Oldest Artist Colony", and quite a gem.  Designed by Architect Solon Spencer Berman, the FAB was built in 1886 for the Studebaker Carriage Company and then renovated later, in 1898 specifically for artists.  Many famous artists have graced it's halls, including Sculptor - Lorado Taft, William Denslow (Illustrator of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz), and Frank Lloyd Wright to name a few.

The Chicago Cultural Center - Sketch # 2

The Chicago Cultural Center

This was another 'outdoor cafe' sketch, this time at a lovely Parisian style patisserie called Toni's, right on Washington St. across from my subject - the Chicago Cultural Center.  The Architects - Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge are the same Architects who designed the Art Institute. Built in  1897, this was originally the public library.  The building is beautiful inside as well.