There's even a Lower Wacker Drive, but it's dark and gritty so no pictures. However, driving Lower Wacker is a great timesaver, and movies including The Dark Knight and Wanted have utilized its unique atmosphere.
At the south end is the 110 story Sears Tower, the tallest building in North America, third tallest in the world. Completed in 1973, it has almost 4 million square feet, which is about 105 acres.
Several blocks north is the building housing the Lyric Opera of Chicago, built in 1929.
The Ardis Krainik Theatre seats up to 3,600. I can tell you from personal experience that the theatre is huge. Not only am I a Lyric subscriber, I had the opportunity to be hired as an actress in The Great Gatsby in 2000. I was Gatsby's waitress and got to be on stage for two long scenes. Absolutely amazing.
Several blocks north of that, Wacker curves east at the Chicago River.Many famous landmarks populate this area, including Marina City Towers.
These corncob like apartment buildings were finished in 1964. They've been featured in many movies, and even the opening of The Bob Newhart Show. I was in one of the apartments once, the floor plan was shaped like a slice of pie.
Next is the IBM Building, designed by Mies van de Rohe in 1971. Next to that is the still under construction Trump Tower, officially called the Trump International Hotel and Tower, which has just been topped off at 92 stories. Once the spire is added, it will be the second tallest building in the US. To me, the building dominates the surrounding environment instead of fitting in.From Wacker Drive, you can see Michigan Avenue and two of it's most famous buildings: The Wrigley Building (yes, the gum) and the Tribune Tower.
The Tribune Tower is especially interesting close up because built in are chunks of stone/bricks from many famous buildings around the world, including the Parthenon, the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.
Continuing east toward Lake Michigan, you see the NBC Tower, where Jerry Springer is taped.
 | Ruth Kaufman was runner up in American Title II. Find her online at her website. |
12 comments:
Cool city. I loved the theatre, me and history. It must have been terrifying looking out at all those faces in the audience, and fun too.
I was fascinated by the pie shaped apartments. I wonder if they are difficult to furnish. I have seen octagonal houses in England, old ones, usually gate houses, but only from the outside. I always wanted to knock on the door and ask to look around. pun intended. lol
What a great mix of gorgeous and funky buildings. Now I'm going to have to rent a Bob Newhart DVD again and watch for the corn cobs!
Thanks for the firsthand look at the city.
Beautiful buildings, another place on my hit list!
This is my favorite US city. Gritty enough to be real; lovely enough to inspire.
I'll be in Chicago for a conference next June, and I can't wait to see some of the sights you pointed out. Thanks for the pre-tour!
Lois
I found you from TravisEriwn's blog under his My Town Monday list and I had to check out the Chicago representation. I'm from Chicago too. I like the pics :)
We just had some out of town people over the past few weeks. Showing them around town made us realize how awesome the city is. Decently big, but prices aren't as crazy as on the coasts.
For the Lower Wacker pics you could just show some scenes from Batman--those road under-a-road gritty spots were Lower Wacker. :)
Welcome to MTM! I've been to the Chicago area a couple of time, and have had the "pleasure" of driving through it during rush hour.
I lived in Chicago for 11 years many years ago and remember all the buildings pictured here, but I loved the hamburger joint on lower Wacker Drive that was the inspiration for the Saturday Night Live sketch - remember,"Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger. No Coke, Pepsi!"
Can you imagine trying to furnish a pie-shaped apartment?! Yikes
Chicago is definitely on my cities-to-be-visited list. Thanks for the grand tour!
I love the photos of the older buildings you posted. I've been to Chicago a couple of times, but only in passing through. I think it's time to come for a visit and see the sights.
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