Quote of the Day
"Early in life I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose honest arrogance and have seen no occasion to change."
--Frank Lloyd Wright

Labels: architecture, quotes

- posted by David Johnsen @ 7:05 PM 0 comments

 
Zell to Demolish Former Tribune Competitor?
The ink is barely dry on Sam Zell's purchase of the Tribune Company, and now he wants to tear down the former Chicago Daily News building, known as 2 N. Riverside Plaza. Apparently, he isn't happy just owning the largest newspaper in town; now he wants to erase all memories of its competitors. Too bad Donald Trump flattened the old Sun-Times building before Zell got the chance.

The article notes that 2 N. Riverside Plaza has served as Zell's headquarters for many years (I guess he isn't the sentimental type). I interviewed there with one of his companies in 1996. American Classic Voyages ran riverboat cruises on the Mississippi and its tributaries (after a sale or two, I think it is now part of Majestic America Line). I found it odd that the recruiter gave me more material about Zell than about the company. I guess I was supposed to be impressed by his maverick personality -- the recruiter certainly was.

I love all of Chicago's Art Deco architecture so I hope Mayor Daley talks Zell out of demolishing 2 N. Riverside Plaza.

UPDATE - I just had a thought... I wonder if Zell will use 2 N. Riverside Plaza as leverage to get the state to take over Wrigley Field. So far, Daley is against that, but maybe Zell is willing to "save" 2 N. Riverside if Daley has a change of heart. Or maybe Daley already has.

Labels: architecture, Chicago

- posted by David Johnsen @ 1:12 AM 2 comments

 
Sorry, Chuck
I may have to rethink my feelings about corporate prostitute Gale Norton's performance as Secretary of the Interior. Sure, she allowed and indeed facilitated an awful lot of damage to federal lands under her stewardship, but at least she made the right call about Soldier Field's national historic landmark status -- she revoked it. Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin's delight is palpable in his article about the decision, a clear vindication of his opinion. Mayor Daley never should have allowed this misguided project to go forward, but instead he supported it wholeheartedly. The end result is, in Kamin's words, like "Starship Enterprise crash-landed atop the Parthenon."

I have a friend named Chuck who worked as an architect on the Soldier Field desecration project (incidentally, he used to like Kamin until he started criticizing the new Soldier Field). Thus far I have been polite whenever the topic has come up in conversation. But right now, I'm going to let him have it:

I know you were just following orders and working within the parameters you were given, but damn, that is one ugly stadium. I'm sure it is a pleasantly modern environment for the fans inside, but everyone who passes that place is either appalled by its clash of styles or simply depressed by the memory of the original.

The mistake by the lake, the eyesore on the lake shore, a spoiled memorial to those who died in the Great War. Sorry, Chuck.

Labels: architecture, Chicago

- posted by David Johnsen @ 5:44 PM 0 comments