CHICAGO | One Bennett Park | 837 FT | 68 FLOORS

[vandelay]

Originally Posted by HomrQT

I simply cannot stop looking at the Eastern Columbia Building since you posted it. It might join the Tribune Tower, the American Radiator Building, and the Cathedral of Learning as among my favorite buildings.

If you like Eastern Columbia you should check out LA's other terracotta Art Deco gems like the demolished Richfield Tower, which was black and gold terracotta:

https://martinturnbull.com/2013/10/3...-1929-to-1969/

The incredible things LA architects did with terracotta make newer buildings with terracotta facades like Steinway tower or The Fitzroy seem pedestrian in comparison.

[left of center]

Wow, that building looks gorgeous. What an utter shame that they tore it down. The 60's were a terrible decade for vintage architecture.

[vandelay]

The funny thing is Angelenos still treat their Art Deco like old crap. So you get stuff like this:

https://i.imgur.com/1bVznBN.jpg

[donnie]

This pic above is part of the new movement called post Fuckery!

[VKChaz]

Originally Posted by vandelay

A fully clad limestone skyscraper might not be possible outside of NYC, but I wonder if other traditional facade materials like glazed terracotta would be more economically feasible. It's still a manufactured material, but it allows much richer colors and ornamentation:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8776/1...c8a46acd_b.jpg

The level of ornamentation on the Eastern Columbia building is probably not achievable or even desired these days. However even if a little terracotta was used only on the base, it's a lot more impactful than limestone. For example take a look at 10 W. Elm in Chicago. The contrast is a lot less problematic than engineered stone vs. real stone, especially since both terracotta and precast are fabricated.

We just need a developer and architect to take a chance on it if it's more economically viable than natural stone.

I have had similar thoughts. I wonder if anyone has looked at whether applying the most modern manufacturing techniques could make terracotta production less expensive..whether micro manufacturing or at scale and including intricate molded pieces.

[maru2501]

OBP is the most polarizing building put up here in quite a while

[HomrQT]

Originally Posted by vandelay

If you like Eastern Columbia you should check out LA's other terracotta Art Deco gems like the demolished Richfield Tower, which was black and gold terracotta:

https://martinturnbull.com/2013/10/3...-1929-to-1969/

The incredible things LA architects did with terracotta make newer buildings with terracotta facades like Steinway tower or The Fitzroy seem pedestrian in comparison.

How is demolishing such beautiful buildings not considered a crime against society??? Beyond shameful.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Wow that richfield tower demo is one of the worst I've ever seen. There's probably only a handful of buildings Chicago has torn down that are bigger losses than that and that's saying something since we've probably demolished more all time landmarks than most cities ever built.

The one thing I will say about OBP is that it's a perfect example of why we need to preserve, we simply can't build then again. Regardless of the philosophical vapidity of post modernism as a style, I think we can agree that the end result pales in comparison to original towers executed with historic materials.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Here's a shot from the Daley Center floor 11 that I took while waiting for my annual "City of Chicago Landlord Shakedown". Sorry for the potato quality, the City isn't too aggressive with window washing these days. When everyone asks about "how are the materials wrong" or "how are the details not executed properly?" Just show them this photo. OBP makes a mockery of buildings like the Carbide and Carbon building and Jewlers Building. It's not even in the same league, the setbacks are even super great which is one "redeeming quality" cited here ad nauseum. I've stated my opinion enough here where I don't want to be obnoxious so I'll spare you going over every last detail, but anyone who looks at this thing next to true buildings of this style shouldn't have to have that explained to them, it's so obvious.



Also Vista should pop up just above Illinois Center to the right and will appear nearly as prominent as Trump from this angle.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

I've stated my opinion enough here where I don't want to be obnoxious

uhhhhh, that ship sailed a couple of years ago.



(additionally, posting RIDICULOUSLY over-sized pics to a webforum is also kinda obnoxious)

[kolchak]

TODAY:

[230Roberto]

Imagine this one. Next to the John Hancock, jeez, just a thought

[gebs]

May 6 2018, as seen from the bike path pretty far south:



It's a tiny image with low resolution, but just here you can see the impact that One Bennett Park has on the skyline. It's not dramatic, but it certainly sticks out.

[SolarWind]

May 7, 2018

[Steely Dan]

^ wow, what a spectacular shot!

the color of that water.......

[BobbyChicago]

Here is One Bennett Park and its cranes (shown just barely in the center of the picture peaking above some buildings) in the skyline from the River Point building.

May 9th

[donnie]

Imagine if they were to sod and landscape the roof of the Mart? It would look like a park and become an instant attraction that would rival Navy or Sears. Just wonder if it could hold the weight?

[kolchak]

I cropped this from the 400 LSD site pic harry

harryc

[harryc]

April 30

From the Harlem station in Oak Park


From a bit closer



May 8

[kolchak]

OK! I should have known you would have some good ones to post - Great shots!