Chicago Open House weekend concludes ….
Another ‘non official’ stop – The Chicago Athletic Club
For 122 years it was a private club.
That has recently been opened as a boutique hotel.
The lower two floors are public space that we were welcome to tour – as long as we didn’t take photos with the SLR cameras.
But fortunately iPhones take decent photos, including the classic bar.
The game room retains that feel of a private club.
As well as the lobby.
Interestingly the Chicago Cubs ‘borrowed’ the Athletic Club’s logo in the 1880s.
Chicago Cultural Center
Built in 1893 as the Central Library it has housed the Cultural Center since the 1970s.
Entrance to the stairway from the Preston Bradley Hall.
Another view of the Hall with a glimpse of the highlight.
A 38′ Tiffany Dome – many claim this to be the largest in the world.
The dome and light are stunning.
Directly across the street is Millennium Park.
333 North Michigan Avenue
The Eastlake Studio on the 26th floor was open – featuring a terrace with great views.
A perfect spot for checking out the iconic Wrigley Building.
The Jewelers Building, with a large collection of details at the top (when this building was built who did they think would be able to see these 400′ up — but they are impressive from this vantage point.)
A close up of the Wrigley Building clock.
A view across the river to a terrace on Chicago’s second tallest building that will remain nameless.
A mix of old and new (with reflections of old).
One of the reliefs in 333 North Michigan Avenue.
Another nearby vintage skyscraper’s upper detail.
Everybody was taking photos.
For a nice Sunday afternoon the tourists boats were empty – everyone was attending the Open House Chicago events.
Up Michigan Avenue and the Hancock Tower with the Lincoln Park Beach in the background.
Back on the street we passed the Jewelers Building, with this great clock.
A repeat visit from last year is 150 North Riverside, and the view from the 27th floor. Interestingly they had the north end of the empty floor blocked, which was disappointing as this had the best views, but there were still some great shots.
The area to the immediate west and north of the loop is experiencing a building boom.
The view south down the river.
Further south (zoomed all the way in on a slightly hazy day) are El Rail Yards and Comiskey Park (or whatever it is called now).
The top floors of the Civic Opera Building.
Always one of my favorite’s the Merchandise Mart.
Notice how the reflection of the El Tracks makes it appear they go through the building.
Back down on the ground – a view from the Lake Street Bridge north.
The older section of the LondonHouse Hotel.
300 East Randolph Street – with an open elevator shaft.
This building was originally a 30 floor building, but in 2007-2010 they added another 24 floors. For Open House Chicago the 30th floor was open.
The views were different than all other we had seen all weekend – south towards the parks and South Michigan Avenue.
It was an amazing view.
With a bit of zoom, the Field Museum and Soldier Field.
More 30th floor zooming – across Northerly Island towards Hyde Park and the University of Chicago.
The Adler Planetarium.
BKL Architects had a model of their neighborhood.
As well as an overview of downtown.
The Lake Shore East neighborhood is another that has had substantial residential growth.
The view from the Columbus Avenue Bridge up the river.
We ended at the Navy Pier for some night time shots
As Elwood said to Jake in the Blues Brothers ‘look it’s the Picasso’
One final view for a spectacular weekend – The Chicago Board of Trade at night.
RDZ Photography 