Looking through the more than 20,000 images of Chicago I have shot over the past few years, I was noticing how I will randomly frame the top of one of the Loops old schools skyscrapers. Built at a time when they truly were skyscrapers (and still would be in most cities), the ornate tops of these buildings are often overlooked or simply buried in the sea of more modern and taller buildings. I found too many images for just one post, so I thought I would spread them out over a few posts over the next week or so.

First up; Skyline Century of Progress Apartments (as I said the other day, stupid name) at Lake and Wells. According to Emporis, when they converted the building from offices to “luxury” apartments, they changed the address from 201 N Wells to 182 W Lake. I don’t know how that would help rent apartments. One of the unique characteristics of this art deco skyscraper from 1930, is how the architectural firm Thielbar & Fugard graduated the color of the brick from dark at the bottom to light at the top to create the illusion of height. This was also done in Seattle with the Seattle Tower.

The Randolph Tower was completed in 1929. At 465 ft, it stood out on the skyline for decades. It, like the previous building, has been mostly swallowed up by surrounding buildings and unless you know where to stand, you won’t see it. This is the tower that began shedding large chunks of terra cotta in 2001, causing the need for the intersection of Randolph and Wells (including the ”L” tracks) to be covered for months to prevent further risk to the public. It is now owned by Village Green Cos., of Farmington Hills, Mich., they want to turn it into… You guessed it… “Luxury” apartments. (August 6, 2006 Tribune article here, sign up required)

The Carbon and Carbide Building was one of the first Loop Skyscrapers to capture my heart the night I arrived for my first visit to Chicago in 1998. Completed in 1929 and recently converted to the Hard Rock Hotel, this gem is utterly unique and quite spectacular.

The now closed and perpetually under restoration Blackstone Hotel is one of the more interesting buildings in downtown Chicago. Completed in 1910, this hotel has hosted 12 presidents, as well as many of the rich and famous from the 20th century including; Rudolph Valentino, Joan Crawford, Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Tennessee Williams, and Truman Capote (more names on the link above).

The hotel went through a rough period finally closing about five years ago. I could kick myself for not having taken the time to wander through the nearly intact vintage lobby before it closed. It is currently being restored into a Marriott Hotel, and I am sure they will sterilize every last bit of character it had, replacing it with faux historic touches, and bland design.