This is another view of the Rookery, straight across from where I was yesterday when I took the photo of the circular staircase (sitting on the step, looking up). Taken from the top of the grand staircase in the lobby where you can see the renovation to bring the building back to the splendor of Frank Lloyd Wright and Daniel Burnham's eras. Wright's details really come through, while Burnham's original mosaics (on the floor) aren't really visible from this angle. Built in Chicago initially for 1.5 million U.S. dollars, in the post-Chicago Fire building era. Remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 1900s, then in the 1960s by Drummond, then fell into disrepair, purchased in the 1990s by a bond trader for $38 million. He then invested another $100 million to bring it back to it's glamorous days as one of the leading buildings in Chicago. At 12 stories, in the 1800s, it was one of the tallest buildings in the city. Now, of course, it's dwarfed by all the surrounding buildings.
@nanm Thanks Nancy. It is a spectacular building in so many ways. I added some more history and context as it's one of our most important ones re architectural history in the city. Burnham and Root's (key architects who planned the Chicago Exposition of 1893 and the layout of the city) firm's office was on the top floor, to prove to the citizen's that it would be safe to be on the top floor of a skyscraper.
@kevinkrueger I had to wait a bit for people to clear -- the tour is 12:15 to 1:15 and there wasn't much 'traffic' except for those on the tour, so I just hung back as they were going over to the spiral staircase so the lobby and balcony would be clear. There are a bunch of people on the spiral staircase across the way. Thanks for the kind comments on the photo, Kevin!
What a stunning building this is! A great image taken from the perfect pov giving us the lovely leading lines of the staircase taking you into the shot. Wonderful details- so much to look at! I would love to do the tour! Another fabulous shot Taffy! Fav!
Still my favourite building in Chgo - and my favourite architect of his time.
I' m tempted to post some of my shots of Rookery Bldg to share with you
I'll post them in Flickr and send you the link when I return to Bari
Big FAV
Wow, what a fabulous interior Taffy! Great composition, fabulous lines and symmetry! I wish I could find a building like this that I could photograph for our up and coming Architecture subject at Camera Club. I see they don't mind you taking photographs then, or was it okay because you did a tour?
I So wish I had found or knew about this building when we had gone to Chicago, although my family are probably glad I hadn't. Because I would have stood there all day waiting for the moment when everyone had cleared the area for the shot lol, Very nice shot
Beautiful. Yyou always make the city look like a photographer's candy store!! the steps are marble? They appear almost like a river flowing down into the lobby.
Your Chicago photos have brought me so much enjoyment! I've never visited this building but will head there on my next visit. An amazing building and you've captured the architectural details beautifully. Can't wait to see it for myself.
The ornateness featured in this photograph is amazing. Thank you for all the historical information you've shared on both this and the staircase picture. I'll make a point of visiting this building the next time I'm in Chicago.
Still enjoying the rare purchase of flowers I made. :) And planning on more in the future, just as you suspected.
@mara19500 That would be great!! I'd love to see them. I take it you also went on the tour? It really made a difference as my photos from the tour are far better than the ones I could take with only lobby access. I'm going to post one more, of the Burnham Library.
@lyndemc If you can visit the building, it's important to do it on one of the tours as otherwise you only have access to the main first floor lobby. Architectural Foundation runs them from 12:15 -1:15 on Thursdays -- you can check their website for dates when you are actually returning.
Love the history you include. I'm so fascinated by this building. I'm glad you're including multiple photos and such fabulous shots, at that. I will look forward to visiting this building some time.
I had a dream I went to Chicago again! It must be somewhere in the cards for 2014. Or Japan. This building was on our tour of Chicago when my husband and I (and kids) visited last time; sure wish I had photos like these to have. Thankfully, you give the best seat in the house view! Nicely composed!
@darylo Oooohhh!!! Would love to see you in Chicago -- we would have a blast!! And Japan...any possibility for the June trip?? I can't believe it's taken me this long to take a tour of the Rookery. I pass it so often and it's been on my bucket list for over a decade. It's an architectural dream and a photographer's paradise. I just wish they'd given us more time (but then, I'd be posting even more shots so probably best we were limited).
@taffy We are sending my daughter to Japan this summer, so the funds for that trip have passed. I told my husband I want to go, but I assumed the spots are booked and really, it's the same time my daughter goes. I have to do a photography trip sometime. I need it. I don't know about you, but I can't get enough of working with photos and taking them and exploring things in ways I never did before.
@darylo Oh darn...that would be so much fun if you did come. I think there were 2 slots left as of 4 weeks ago, so am not sure where things stand now. Junko and Bill are getting home tomorrow so I'll get an update soon. It makes a difference when you still have kids at home! Think of a photo trip to Chicago in the fall. It's relatively inexpensive and you'd have built in guides in Junko and me (not that you'd need a guide!). Of if you win the lottery, come to Japan with us!
@ericdibosco No tripods allowed there, actually. This was handheld, leaning against the well to reduce probably of shake and using my camera's continuous shutter and bracketing to take the three shots I used.
I' m tempted to post some of my shots of Rookery Bldg to share with you
I'll post them in Flickr and send you the link when I return to Bari
Big FAV
Still enjoying the rare purchase of flowers I made. :) And planning on more in the future, just as you suspected.
There was no tour during out stay.