Saying Goodbye to Chicago, Part Eighteen: The Loop, Vol. Five

James R. Thompson Center

James R. Thompson Center, Chicago, IL

I always call this the State of Illinois Building and so had to correct myself in naming it here. It was actually renamed in 1993 after one of our governors. The building opened in 1985 and was designed by Helmut Jahn, who, if I recall correctly, used the Thompson Center as inspiration for one of his architectural designs in Germany.

Interior and elevator, James R. Thompson Center, Chicago, IL

What I like most about the interior is its use of color and natural light. I also like its spaciousness, but I do wonder if the way that spaciousness was created has led to wastefulness, as there is a lot of open space that is not being utilized. The first two or three floors are devoted to retail use, while the State of Illinois has offices on the remaining floors.

Glass ceiling, James R. Thompson Center, Chicago, IL

Again, the use of a glass ceiling creates a naturally light and airy effect.

Side detail, James R. Thompson Center, Chicago, IL

Side detail, James R. Thompson Center, Chicago, IL

The red and the blue provide for a nice contrast with the neutral beige.

Outside James R. Thompson Center, United Building, Chicago flag, Chicago, IL 

The design of the Chicago flag is not random. The three white bars of the flag represent the three parts of the city, the North, West, and South sides. The top blue bar symbolizes Lake Michigan and the bottom blue bar represents the Chicago River. The red stars represent pivotal events in the first one hundred years of Chicago's history: the establishment of Fort Dearborn on the site that would eventually become downtown Chicago; the Great Chicago Fire of 1871; the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 (the one featuring the White City); the last star stands for the Century of Progress Exposition of 1933, which, obviously, featured a modernist theme.

There was talk a couple of years ago of adding a fifth star to the Chicago flag, if Chicago were to host the 2016 Olympics, but Chicago lost that bid to Rio de Janeiro. Frankly, I am happy that there won't be an opportunity to add a fifth star to the flag, as I like the thought that the four stars symbolize critical events of the city's first one hundred years, when the city was just establishing itself first as a city and then as a commercial and cultural center. I think those should be considered foundational events set apart from everything that happens going forward. They stand as pillars of Chicago's first century, supporting its rise upward into the ranks of world-class cities.


Along the River

Trio: Marina City, IBM Plaza, and Trump Tower, Chicago, IL

I always thought the name Marina City was a funny one for these two residential towers, as they look more like honeycombs than anything associated with the sea, but then it would probably sound silly, and maybe inappropriate, to call this place Honey Town. The IBM Plaza in the middle is another one of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's big box designs, and the skyscraper on the right is the (relatively) new Trump Tower Chicago.

In the distance, Intercontinental Hotel, the Wrigley Building, the Tribune Tower, Chicago, IL 

In the midst of the austerity of Chicago's modern architecture stand some of the beautifully more ornate "classic"buildings of the city: the domed Intercontinental Hotel, the white Wrigley Building, and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. The presence of historical buildings designed according to different sensibilities adds layers of architectural richness and complexity to Chicago's cityscape.

Trump Tower, Chicago, IL

Trump Tower and a bunch of buildings, Chicago, IL

Aqua

Aqua, Chicago, IL

Here is Aqua, one of the most beautiful of new skyscrapers to grace Chicago's skyline. The irregularity of its ridges, functioning as balconies for residents, creates a rippling effect, giving the observer the sense of water in motion and softening the edges of the building's overall rectangular structure.

Aqua, front view, Chicago, IL

Aqua is simply a brilliant piece of architecture. Another way to enjoy Aqua's beauty is by seeing it in collection with its neighboring skyscrapers from the vantage point of Millennium Park, which is just south of Aqua's location.