Non-Gothic Buildings on the University of Chicago Campus
The University of Chicago campus is justly famous for its Victorian Gothic architecture. The oldest buildings on campus date back to the 1890’s, when the school’s founders set out to imitate Oxford in scholastic rigor and architectural aesthetic. Much of the campus retains that Gothic vibe, but we wanted to explore some of the newer […]
What Working for Rick Steves is Really Like
“What’s working for Rick Steves like?” I’ve heard that question many times since I worked as one of his tour guides in Europe. Rick Steves and his partner, Trish, joined me on the Loop Interior Architecture Walking Tour back in 2016. So I thought I’d answer a few of those common questions for our tour […]
From Glamor to Gloom at the Pittsfield
In the 100 years of its history, the Pittsfield Building is a big art deco skyscraper that has gone through an incredible transformation. Despite being located adjacent to the bustling Millennium Park, this 37-story skyscraper was once practically empty. From the outside, the Pittsfield appears to be your typical 1920s building, constructed in a throne […]
Hidden History of Cabrini Shrine in Lincoln Park
The Mother Cabrini Shrine in Lincoln Park is a perfect example of the kind of surprises you run into when wandering Chicago. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was a Roman Catholic saint who worked in Chicago. Many Chicagoans associate the Cabrini name with the infamous Cabrini-Green public housing project, but that’s a couple miles south of here. […]
A New Year of New Buildings in Chicago
The dawn of a new year has us thinking about the new architecture that will change Chicago’s skyline. Construction on major buildings slowed to a crawl after the Great Recession, but the tide has turned. Several new high-rises are popping up quickly, and showing us that the way we live and work in the city is changing. […]