Chicago IV

Chicago is considered the birthplace of the modern skyscraper.  When Mrs. O'Leary's cow started the fire that burned down much of the city in 1871 the town fathers brought in world class architects/builders to build a series of tall office buildings.  This lasted until the depression, then after WWII office building began again (1998 completion of the 110 story Sears (now Willis) Towers)  and continues with great vitality today.  We have taken a number of Chicago Architecture Foundation tours; the guides (docents) are excellent.  Fortunately, the city has saved some of the older buildings with glittering interiors.  Oh, they also took all the rubble from the fire, built up the shore in front of Michigan Ave. to form what is now Grant Park; smart move.

Marlene in front of part of the Chicago skyline on a beautiful afternoon.

Our favorite modern skyscraper, One Museum, 62 story residential on the South end of center city, completed 2009.  Compared to New York, a bargain, residences from $800K to $2.5million.

They saved the old library, now the Cultural Center, just one of many buildings with spectacular interiors from earlier years.  Above the 38 foot diameter dome ceiling, Tiffany's largest in the world.

Had a drink in the lounge of the 1500 room Palmer House, another save/renovation, now owned by Hilton.  Above is the ceiling; not bad, huh?  While there saw mutual fund/investment guru Mario Gabelli, who was there attending a Franklin-Templeton conference.  He looked pretty good for 73, heck, almost as good as Vinnie.