About 40 years ago, the developer envisioned growth along the south branch of the Chicago River, starting with this multi-use building including a year round harbor for resident's boats. It stood isolated and sad for several decades, but this year developing is catching up. The area just to the north will have 6 skyscrapers along the river and just to the left (east) of it is a large commercial area of theaters and shops. Imagine commuting by boat up the river to the downtown area!
Cool building- I wonder if the residents have gotten used to the isolation and won't be happy about their view being blocked or they'll like the new additions to the neighborhood. I'm sure commuting by boat would be fun.
Beautiful structure. We visited Chicago last summer. What a great city. I assume these apartments are now lived in. The views must be amazing and the shape of the windows accentuates it from within and without.
Wow, the architect must've been ahead of her/his times, the buildings look relatively modern. Very interesting story to them too, thank you. A river commute sounds good. A business in Melbourne has just floated the same idea but has run into a big snag (metaphorically speaking) with the number of rowing clubs and their boats using the same stretch of the Yarra river.
Chicago really does have an interesting mix of architectural styles. This shot reminds me of Seattle where the ferries are the only means of transportation to the smaller islands.
Pam is right... it does look like the corn cob building. I like the shapes and the curves. Wouldn't it be great to commute by water?? Chicago is really expanding!
That's awesome! Cool shot! I remember getting off the CNW train and some commuters would catch the Wendella boats up to MI Ave. Since I worked in the Sears Tower, I never got to ride the boats to work, but I always thought it would be neat to boat to work. It looks like the residents of this complex will get to do just that.
I do quite fancy a commute by boat. The development as it stands looks rather overwhelming. I think it will look better set amongst other buildings. Very interesting.
Isn't amazing how some people are visionaries like that? When we were in Panama City Beaches recently, we heard the story that in 1935, developer Gideon Thomas started buying up a lot of worthless land for $1.00 an acre. It was so sandy that very little would grow. People mocked him asked what he was going to grow? He answered, "I am going to grow people". As I looked through some history of the area I found out that Spanish explorers landed here and many of the names in the area were named by the Spanish. Like St. Andrews Bay that the Hathaway Bridge crosses. It was a no man's land where mostly escaped slaves and Indians lived.
Today as you drive on US Route 98 both sides of the road are lined with hotels, motels, condos and all kinds of businesses that boggle the mind.
@skipt07 Fascinating bit of history. It is interesting to wonder what leads someone to act on their visions, to have visions but not act, or to simply live in the moment and lack any sense of a vision. Thanks for sharing that - I'm guessing we'd fine stories like that throughout the world. I don't think I"d have the patience to wait 40 years!
Brutally good!! Could not resist the pun. It was part of the Open House Chicago last year, I was hoping to get to it but ran out of time, I saw some excellent shots from there.
Today as you drive on US Route 98 both sides of the road are lined with hotels, motels, condos and all kinds of businesses that boggle the mind.