Chicago Nights

[GRDadof3]

Part II - Chicago River

This focal point of downtown Chicago actually had its flow reversed in 1900 to stave off a rash of diseases like Cholera and Typhoid Fever. There has been talk recently of reverting back to its natural flow now that there is better sanitation technology available, and to stop the slow depletion of the Great Lakes through this outlet.

The river today offers a striking contrast of modern high-rises and 19th Century drawbridges, gates and turrets intermingled:

Merchandise Mart - 1931 The largest commercial building in the world (only the Pentagon is bigger)

(with the L in the foreground)

(with a bus passing in front of me )

HOB at Marina City

Marina City - which are twin residential buildings, was the tallest residential structure in the world when completed in 1964

(with the IBM building for a backdrop)

The front of the Jewelers Building designed by Louis Sullivan on E Wacker - originally housed a 22 story parking garage:

Donald Trump's Trump International Hotel & Towers, featured in the very first season of The Apprentice and managed by winner Bill Rancik, under construction:

The foyer of the London Guarantee Building at Michigan Ave and E Wacker:

The Wrigley Building and Chicago Tribune Towers

The NBC Building

Wrigley Building Plaza

Continued:

The Windy City

Views from the 30th floor of Hotel 71 (71 E Wacker)

Enjoy!

Coming soon - Part III - Millenium Park/Randolph Street/Lakeshore East

[andrew.w]

The foyer of the London Guarantee Building at Michigan Ave and E Wacker:

It is nice to see that the lobby of this building has been restored. The last book that I read about Chicago (from the late 1980s) mentioned that durring the buildings "modernization," the dome had been covered over with a flat ceiling of acoustical tiles that would have hidden everything above the stone walls. I had meant to stop in there and see if the dome had been eventually uncovered next time I was in Chicago.

[GRDadof3]

It is nice to see that the lobby of this building has been restored. The last book that I read about Chicago (from the late 1980s) mentioned that durring the buildings "modernization," the dome had been covered over with a flat ceiling of acoustical tiles that would have hidden everything above the stone walls. I had meant to stop in there and see if the dome had been eventually uncovered next time I was in Chicago.

It's just gorgeous Andrew. That would have been a crime.

[Mith242]

Great shots.

[DigitalSky]

Awesome pictures

[RestedTraveler]

More awesome pictures!

[nashscan]

I loved the blur of of the El in front of the Merchandise Mart. AWWWWSOME!!!

[mpchicago]

Fantastic Jeff! If only I could get my a*s out and take some pictures. I really like that shot from your hotel room. It's not a vantage you normally see on the river.

[Southernyank]

Holy crap!! those pictures are amazing! I love Chicago.

[GRDadof3]

Fantastic Jeff! If only I could get my a*s out and take some pictures. I really like that shot from your hotel room. It's not a vantage you normally see on the river.

Thanks Mark. Next time I'm in town I'll try and plan a little better to meet up.

[ironchapman]

Those are GREAT pictures. They are so clear. I love how well some of those buildings show up. Excellent job for night shots!

[GRDadof3]

Those are GREAT pictures. They are so clear. I love how well some of those buildings show up. Excellent job for night shots!

Thanks IronChapman! Don't miss the other two parts of the series:

Chicago Nights Part I

Chicago Night Part III

I was there for a week on business and could only get out in the evenings.