Chicago – October 2018 – Open House Part 4

Open House Chicago continues….

After finishing our tour of the Board of Trade Building we were a bit early for 111 West Jackson, as it didn’t open until 10 AM.

With our time we toured one of the best blocks in Chicago – South Dearborn between Jackson and Congress. The Fisher, Plymouth, Old Colony, Manhattan and Monadnock all are in the same general area

All were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s with amazing detail.

The streetlights in the area retain the classic look.

Of all of them, the Monadnock is the most important. Built in 1891 it continues to this day at the largest load bearing brick building in the world.

While the Fisher Building has these ornate cornices.

The nearby Harold Washington Library adds some bling to the neighborhood.

All of the buildings are worthy of close ups of the detail.

The Chicago School of Architecture (a style – not a specific educational facility) was famous for it’s use of bay windows.

Another cool street light.

Views straight up show the detail underneath.

My New York friend was stunned and amazed at the massive external fire escapes. Note that they were manufactured locally.

Finally 111 West Jackson was open for viewing from their 25th floor outdoor deck.

This deck offered a wide view of the south loop skyscrapers from the Willis/Sears Tower to Chase Tower (aka 10 South Dearborn).

Over on Michigan Avenue we paid a return visit to the Railway Exchange Building.

The lobby is vastly different as the Chicago Architecture Foundation has moved to a new location, and taken the model with them. Personally I think the lobby looks better without the model.