Monthly Archives: November 2008

St. Gall Catholic Church

Posted on November 20, 2008 by

In 1956, this UFO of a building touched down at the busy intersection of 55th and Kedzie. It hovers there still today, a circular pie-slice of building fronted by a thin-shell concrete pod. Architects Pavlecic & Kovacevic designed a stridently … Continue reading →

Posted in Midcentury churches | 8 Comments

Chicago rallies against Proposition 8

Posted on November 16, 2008 by

Against the cool backdrop of Mies van der Rohe’s Modernist towers, amid the chill of November weather, warm camaraderie carried the day as thousands* of people flooded Federal Plaza Saturday morning to rally against the passage of California’s Proposition 8, … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in Chicago | 4 Comments

University of Chicago Law Library

Posted on November 8, 2008 by

It’s not often you just stumble across an Eero Saarinen building, especially one just coming out of an incredibly thoughtful renovation. Yet that’s exactly what happened to me recently on a stroll across University of Chicago’s campus. I noticed and … Continue reading →

Posted in Midcentury Modernism | 6 Comments

Howard Street

Posted on November 7, 2008 by

Howard Street marks most of Chicago’s northern-most limit, though the city line jumps a few blocks northward from Clark Street to the lake. Walking down Howard, though, you wouldn’t suspect you were on the farthest hinterland of the great metropolis. … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial strips, theaters | 5 Comments

Roseland’s South Michigan commercial district

Posted on November 6, 2008 by

Chicago’s far south side is a surreal land, where industrial hellpits alternate with charming small-town main streets. It is a place where strange things happen, such as Western Avenue becoming a one-way street. And it is home to random outcroppings … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial strips | 11 Comments

It was a good night to be in Chicago.

Posted on November 5, 2008 by

A group of friends got together and rented a couple of rooms in the Michigan Avenue Hilton, overlooking Grant Park, then invited a bunch of folks up to watch the show. Wine flowed freely, and binoculars were passed around as … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in Chicago | 5 Comments

Immaculate Conception Church

Posted on November 3, 2008 by

I still remember the first time I saw Immaculate Conception Church (1963, 7211 W. Talcott Avenue.) We were hurrying out to O’Hare, southbound on Harlem to pick up the Interstate. Despite my attention being divided by dodging through traffic, my … Continue reading →

Posted in Midcentury churches, Midcentury Modernism | 4 Comments