Book Review: Marina City: Bertrand Goldberg's Urban Vision

Note: This review previously appeared in our sister publication, The Chicago Architecture Blog, published July 26, 2010.

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"The Corncob Towers." "The Pie Spires." "Aunt Flo's Curlers." People may not always know what the twin towers on State Street at the Chicago River are called, but they at least know them.  Bertrand Goldberg's penultimate architectural creation, Marina City (300 North State Street), has inspired and amazed a generation of tourists and locals.  Now a new book chronicles how the buildings we see today were shaped, and what went on behind the scenes.

The book is called Marina City: Bertrand Goldberg's Urban Vision (published by Princeton Architectural Press) and its 176 pages are packed with great information about the development of the buildings, starting from inspiration through construction and on to occupation.

Many people don't realize it, but Marina City was Chicago, and America's first downtown revitalization project.  It proved that if you built a city-within-a-city, you could attract people to the urban core where they would live, work, and thrive.  Since then the idea has been copied and expanded in Chicago and around the world.  Today a responsible developer wouldn't think of embarking on a huge project without considering the live+work+play model.  But in the 1960's, a time when suburban cul-de-sac developers and auto dealers were demonizing America's urban cores, this was considered revolutionary.

More than just the story of a building, this book tells the tale of the people behind Marina City -- the deals that had to be brokered, the challenges faced, the hurdles surmounted; with enough politics and intrigue to make this a truly Chicago story.

As someone who travels around the world frequently, whenever I mention Chicago to someone, I cringe in anticipation of the inevitable reference to Al Capone.  But did you know that Marina City was celebrated around the world as a new symbol of Chicago's renaissance?  It was influential enough to supplant Capone as the first notion people had of Chicago.  American Airlines published a guide to Chicago that featured Marina City on its cover.   Even in Cold War-era Moscow, Marina City was known and considered a symbol of the city.

As interesting as all the facts and background material are, it's the photos that really make this book.  Historic pictures and diagrams of Marina City that show it with the old TV tower still on top.  There are pictures of the skyscrapers when they were new and clean, and not festooned with twinkle lights and blow-up dolls as they frequently are now.  Perhaps if today's residents of Marina City read this book, they might treat their home with a little more respect and pride.

If you have even a passing interest in Chicago's history or architecture, I recommend picking this book up.  It's a quick and easy read and contains a lot of good information.

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Details:
Marina City: Bertrand Goldberg's Urban Vision
By Igor Marjanovic and Katerina Rüedi Ray
Published May 26, 2010 by Princeton Architectural Press
176 pages - Paperback
US $35.00, UK £25.00

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Note:
This book was sent to me unsolicited by Princeton Architectural Press.  I have received no monetary or other compensation for this review.  If you would like to send a book for review, contact me at editor@chicagoarchitecture.info and I'll send you the mailing address.

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City Scene: Graves' Grave Grave

This is the final resting place of Dexter Graves in Chicago.  It is easily the creepiest gravestone we've ever come across.

City Scene: BP Pedestrian Bridge, Chicago

The BP Pedestrian Bridge snakes across Columbus Drive in Chicago.  The sun glints off its stainless steel scales as the serpentine structure carries pedestrians between Millennium Park and Grant Park.

Chicago's Grocery Store in the Sky

This article is from our sister blog, The Chicago Architecture Blog.  For more information about Chicago and more than 1,000 of its buildings, visit our sister site, Chicago Architecture Info.

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There are a lot of rumors about special places in Chicago that most people don't get to see.   Today I thought I'd demystify one of them.

A lot of what people assume about the residents and residences in the John Hancock Center (875 North Michigan Avenue) is not true.  But some of it is.  For example -- there is an urban legend that the Hancock residents have their own grocery store.  This is true.

It's officially called "Potash Gourmet 44," and is not surprisingly located on the 44th floor of the building.  To access it, you must be a resident of the Hancock Center, or an accompanied guest.  You have to go past the security checkpoint on the ground floor lobby, and then the receptionist on the 44th floor sky lobby.

Down the hallway, past the mail room is the grocery store.  It's larger and better stocked than a convenience store, so it earns its "grocery" title.  The space was entirely gutted and rebuilt in 2008, and has a produce section, a small selection of housewares, health and beauty aides, the usual aisles of canned and boxed goods, a self-service coffee area, and seating so one can admire the view while having a quick nosh.

The most active portion of the grocery store is the deli.  Hancock Center office workers can access the deli via a freight elevator and the back door.  The deli offers the usual selection of sliced meats and cheeses, as well as a choice of hot entrees and sides that change daily.  At one time there was made-to-order pizza, but it wasn't very good and has since been discontinued.

Unfortunately, the grocery store doesn't photograph very well.  In the daylight, you can't see what's in the aisles.  And at night, you can't see out the windows to prove that the store is in the sky.  But I did what I could with these couple of pictures.

Potash Gourmet 44 is undoubtedly the city's highest grocery store.  But is it the world's highest?  It's hard to say.  It is traditional for people in the Chicago area to declare things the "first" (as in mall), "biggest" (as in block party), or some other superlative without it actually being true.  So in the interest of localism, I formally declare Potash Gourmet 44 is the world's highest grocery store.  Challenges are welcome.

That Most American of Cities: Chicago?

When the world thinks of a quintessentially American city, which one do you think it thinks of?  New York?  Los Angeles?  How about Chicago?

This is the side of a Korean Air shuttle bus parked outside of the awkwardly-named Grand Ambassador Seoul Associated With Pullman Hotel in Seoul, South Korea.  The bus wrap is a big ad that boils down to "fly Korean Air to America."  And to represent America, there's a picture of the Chicago skyline.

Another reason for the city of big shoulders to stand proud and strong

• Click here to see more than a thousand Chicago buildings at our sister site, Chicago Architecture Info.

The Extinction of the Urban Whale

This placid scene of whales is one that can no longer be seen.

It was painted on the back side of the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago about ten years ago.  Since then, that work of art has been covered up by the construction of a new residential tower called Avenue East, which backs up right into the painting.

I once went to Chicago for a job interview, and the company put me up in this hotel.  I ended up with one of the windows that's part of the mural.  No one will ever be part of that again.

• Click here for more on the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago.
• Click here for photos and information on more than a thousand Chicago buildings.

The Elevated Life: 11 Up

There's something about elevators that I find fascinating.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe because an elevator is like a mechanical "black box" only in reverse -- the magic happens on the outside, while the observer remains inside.

Either way, this begins a series of occasional snapshots from inside elevators around the world for no other reason than I like it.  And maybe there are other people out there who do, as well.

This photo is from an older elevator that has been rehabbed with a new display.  The LEDs are slightly italic, and the up arrow has been specially created for the purpose, rather than being a mish mash of other LED segments.

Interestingly, this elevator actually has an attendant.  Before the days of advanced mechanics and electronics, people were hired to run the elevators.  In some cities and buildings this tradition continues for one reason or another.  Sometimes it's nostalgia. Sometimes it's to add a touch of class.  Unfortunately, in this case it's because of labor unions.

The attendant's position hasn't been needed in this building for decades, but the person cannot be fired because she is in a powerful union.  So, she sits on a stool in the lobby all day long and when someone wants to go up, she pushes the elevator call button.  That's her entire job.  Somehow the union believes that the elevators cannot function without her.  Nevermind that to get back down, the passengers are perfectly able to push the call button on the floors they are on to summon the elevator.

In many scenarios, I am in favor of labor unions.  But in this case, it just makes the unions look greedy and out of touch with reality.

Landmark Chicago Skyscraper Redevelopment Complete

Got a press release today stating that the major renovations at 330 North Wabash are now complete.  You may remember 330 as the Chicago's old IBM Building or One IBM Plaza, Mies Van Der Rohe's massive black slab along the Chicago river that used to loom so menacingly over the Sun-Times building before it was neutered by Donald Trump.

There have been complaints on the internet from people who think the treatment of the lobby has been rather ruthless, but for the 99% of Chicagoand who only see this building from afar, no damage has been done.

The building is interesting to watch at night because the top dozen floors form a black hole in the city's skyline while office lights tinkle and burn in other buildings around them.  It's because that section of the building is being redeveloped as a luxury hotel.  There is no opening date for that hotel yet.  At a public event about six months ago, the developer said he was in no hurry to complete the project, especially considering the state of the economy.

You can see more than a thousand Chicago architecture landmarks at Chicago Architecture Info (our sister site).

The full press release about the redevelopment of 330 North Wabash follows:

Chicago Skyline Sunrise

The sun peeks out over Lake Michigan and illuminates the skyscraper forest of Chicago on an early morning.  From this vantage point, several buildings clearly stand head and shoulders above the rest:

• Trump International Hotel and Tower 
• Willis Tower 
• 300 North LaSalle 
• The Park Tower

Why no 100-story John Hancock Center in the photograph?  Because it was taken from the John Hancock Center.

Pics: Earth Hour in Chicago

Last night, many places around the world dimmed their lights to mark Earth Hour, an even organized by the World Wildlife Fund.  I happened to be in Chicago at the time and I've posted a few photos below.  Last year, participation by Chicago buildings was spotty.  This year was better, though there were still a few hold-outs.

Among those I could see going dark:

• Navy Pier, except for its ferris wheel still blazing into the night (600 East Grand Avenue)
• The John Hancock Center (875 North Michigan Avenue)
• Willis Tower (233 South Wacker Drive)
• Aon Center (200 East Randolph Street)
• Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile (540 North Michigan Avenue)
• The Park Tower (800 North Michigan Avenue)
• Grand Plaza (540 North State Street)
• 55 East Erie (55 East Erie Street)
• NBC Tower (200 East Illinois Street)
• Chase Tower (10 South Dearborn Street)
• The Clare at Water Tower (55 East Pearson Street)

I assume that the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower participated because they participate in most everything.

The Marriott always has trouble with its sign, so it ended up darkening some of the letters early in the evening (spelling out "Mot").

Trump International Hotel and Tower was also dark, but not for the occasion.  In spite of what the Chicago Tribune reported, it does not light up at night at all, so this was one of the few occasions when it actually looked appropriate in the night skyline.

Some buildings didn't join in:  

• Millennium Centre (33 West Ontario Street)
• 300 North LaSalle (300 North LaSalle Drive)
• 353 North Clark (353 North Clark Street)
• The Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 East Wacker Drive)
• Museum Park (1215 South Prairie Avenue)
• The Fordham (25 East Superior Street)
• Millennium Park (337 East Randolph Street)

As you can see in the photos below, 300 and 353, and the Hyatt are the brightest things in the Chicago skyline, and conspicuous for their illumination when all of their neighbors have gone dark. As always, you can click to enlarge the pictures and see the offenders.

330 North Wabash Gets LEED Gold

Chicago architecture firm DeStefano Partners is celebrating LEED Gold status for one of its latest projects -- its office at 330 North Wabash Street (formerly I.B.M. Plaza).  You can read more about 330 North Wabash at Chicago Architecture Info.  Here's the press release it sent over:

February 17, 2010 (Chicago IL) – DeStefano Partners (DP) announced that its new office at 330 North Wabash in Chicago IL has been awarded LEED® Gold certification for Commercial Interiors. Established by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED® is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

                The office earned credits for such features as regional materials, high recycled content in materials, furniture re-use, light sensor controls, reduced-flow water fixtures, material installation methods, high levels of daylighting and views for 90% of the spaces, and downtown location with proximity to public transit.

                Scott Sarver, AIA, DeStefano Partners’ Chief Executive Officer, noted that “DeStefano Partners is committed to sustainable building technology, emphasizing transit-oriented development and design elements that respond to local climate, culture and context.  We selected the location and designed our offices to reflect this commitment.”

As a component of this commitment, DP’s Materials and Technologies Research Group includes a Specifications Writer and a Materials Research Specialist specializing in sustainable design; they work closely with the firm’s design and technical architects to research and identify products and technology that are legitimately “green” and durable.

                The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) developed LEED® as an internationally recognized rating system to evaluate sustainable and environmentally-friendly design.  LEED® provides building owners, operators, designers, and contractors with guidelines for building in practical and measurable ways to reduce environmental impact.  The rating system applies to all kinds of construction projects and covers the many stages of a building’s life cycle, including design, construction, maintenance, and tenant use.  The Commercial Interiors category was created to allow building tenants who may not have control over an entire building to make sustainable choices in improving their workplaces.

About DeStefano Partners (www.dpdesigns.com)

    Established in 1988, DeStefano Partners is an internationally acclaimed architecture, urban planning and interior design firm serving both public and private sector clients in the United States, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.  Inspired by the cultural, geographic and organizational diversity of its clients, the firm’s mission is to realize environments that are conducive to daily living, supportive of commercial enterprise and engaging to the human spirit.  DeStefano Partners’ teams respond creatively and professionally to a challenging array of design, planning, programming and assessment needs in new construction and renovation in commercial, mixed-use and multifamily residential sectors.  For more information, please visit the DeStefano Partners web site, www.dpdesigns.com.     

World's Biggest Lantern?

Officially, the structure at the top of One South Dearborn (1 South Dearborn Street) in Chicago is a lantern.  It's mostly just a big open box with a white roof that slants inward.  At night, lights are projected onto it so it will stand out in Chicago's busy skyline.  But the building simply doesn't have the height to pull it off.  It is surrounded by a dozen buildings that are nearly double its size.  Also disappointing is the fact that the color of the lantern doesn't change with the season or with holidays.  Meanwhile, most of its neighboring buildings participate in holidays by changing their lighting schemes.

On the Wrong Side of the John Hancock Center

Recently I happened to be at the right place at the right time.  That means inside the 100-story John Hancock Center (875 North Michigan Avenue) when some windows were being replaced.

I had the chance to stick my head out into the breeze on a cloudy, wet day and feel the thrill of vertigo in my stomach and head.  As much as I love being up high, I have a fear of edges, so it took a lot for me to put my beloved Canon and my CrappyCameraPhone™ at risk.

I still get a little bit of queasiness when I look at this CrappyCameraPhone™ picture looking straight down the side of the building.  That horizontal member that tapers inward toward the right is one of the building's famous cross braces.

After 40 years, the building exterior could use a good power washing.

From my experience being on the unsheltered roofs of buildings like the Carew Tower in Cincinnati, the G.E. Building in New York, and Chicago's own Shoreham, I can tell you it's not as windy as people assume it would be.  People who don't live in skyscrapers have all these crazy notions about tall buildings.  About this time last year, emergency officials in Houston, Texas were telling people that for every ten stories up you go in a building, the affects of a hurricane are intensified by one Category.  Really?  So Hurricane Ike hit the top floor of Houston's JPMorgan Chase Tower as a category 12 storm?  I don't think so.

Looking east

It was a little windy being out on the edge of the John Hancock Center, but it wasn't any more windy than it was when I went down to the surface an hour later.

Looking west

Looking up from the gaping hole in the side of the building showed... nothing.  Really.  Since the building tapers away and was receding in distance, too, there wasn't anything to see but the bellies of grey clouds.  Disappointing.

But I did take a video when I was hanging out there.  It's probably one of the world's least interesting pieces of videography, but I include it here in the interest of completeness.

One Way to Avoid the Splat of Birds

As long as people have been putting using glass in buildings, birds have been smacking into it.  Sometimes the buildings are too tall, or in a centuries-old flight path, and sometimes the birds are just ... well... bird-brained.

This art school in Chicago put stickers of birds on its windows to maybe give the birds a clue that the wild blue yonder doesn't continue through the glass.  I'm not an expert on birds, but I wonder if the silhouettes chosen are predatory birds, meant to scare other birds away. They kind of look like owls to me.

More Chicago buildings here.

Bathrooms Are Job One

Last week the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field were sold by the Tribune Company to the Ricketts family for $845 million.  What does that have to do with an urban development blog?

New owner, Tom Ricketts had the quote of the week when he told Crain's Chicago Business that his number one priority for the historic stadium is renovating the bathrooms.  He put it,  “As a fan or owner, you’re just not proud of that part of the experience.”