It was a miserable day; the April showers raining down on the city of Chicago were cold and ruthless, so much so that Jimmy and I were the only two people to show up for our prepaid, non-refundable “Inside the Loop Architectural ” walking tour via the awesome Detours Chicago group of incredible guides.
Fortunately 90% of our 90-minute private tour was indoors.
Fortunately 90% of our 90-minute private tour was indoors.
Our tour started at Chicago’s Chase Tower,
To infinity and beyond. Well, to 850 feet up, 60 floors total. Close!
the tallest building inside the Chicago Loop and the 32nd tallest building in the United States. Our tour ended at Chicago’s Cultural Center, home to the world’s largest stained glass Tiffany dome. We covered half a mile and six landmarks during our tour.
In the dynasty that is Chicago architecture, Chicago’s Cultural Center is a giant. Elizabeth, our tour guide with Chicago Detours (this art/history major was a font of knowledge about all things Chicago and buildings), had obviously saved the best for last.
In the dynasty that is Chicago architecture, Chicago’s Cultural Center is a giant. Elizabeth, our tour guide with Chicago Detours (this art/history major was a font of knowledge about all things Chicago and buildings), had obviously saved the best for last.
This was one high-tech tour, complete with IPads for historical pictures and info at our fingertips.
I’m going to begin with this venerable building, simply because it was exquisite, a visual and spatial treat that generated a lot of ohhhhhhhs and ahhhhhhhs from this peanut gallery.
1. Chicago Cultural Center
1. Chicago Cultural Center
Wasn't raining when this picture was taken. That's 'cause it's not my picture. Thanks Wikipedia!
Don't let this stuffy looking, block long building intimidate you. Yes, it was originally home to the Chicago Public Library when it was completed in 1897, where persnickety librarians undoubtedly roamed the halls shushing everybody. Yes, the stunning rooms and grand staircases still demand decorum, but its moved way beyond stuffy.
The magnificent Beaux Arts style building was influenced by the buildings of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Chicago decided it was time to show the world they were a city of culture and class with this design by the Boston architectural firm Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge. I guess the renowned Chicago architectural firms hadn’t yet made their mark.
Rooms were modeled on the Doge’s Palace in Venice, the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, and the Acropolis in Athens. Chicago put their money where their mouth was with a $2 million price tag; most of that money must have gone to the interior design, because it was stunning.
When the building was established as the Chicago Cultural Center (CCC) in 1991, it was the first of its kind as a comprehensive municipal cultural venue. Each year this Chicago landmark features more than 1000 free programs and exhibitions covering a wide range of the performing, visual and literary arts. As part of the National Registry of Historic Places, it’s a logical venue for the Mayor of Chicago to welcome Presidents and royalty, diplomats and community leaders. It was a great venue for welcoming two lowly peasants, too, although the mayor didn’t show to shake our hands.
2. The Grand Staircase and Preston Bradley Hall
The magnificent Beaux Arts style building was influenced by the buildings of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Chicago decided it was time to show the world they were a city of culture and class with this design by the Boston architectural firm Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge. I guess the renowned Chicago architectural firms hadn’t yet made their mark.
Rooms were modeled on the Doge’s Palace in Venice, the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, and the Acropolis in Athens. Chicago put their money where their mouth was with a $2 million price tag; most of that money must have gone to the interior design, because it was stunning.
When the building was established as the Chicago Cultural Center (CCC) in 1991, it was the first of its kind as a comprehensive municipal cultural venue. Each year this Chicago landmark features more than 1000 free programs and exhibitions covering a wide range of the performing, visual and literary arts. As part of the National Registry of Historic Places, it’s a logical venue for the Mayor of Chicago to welcome Presidents and royalty, diplomats and community leaders. It was a great venue for welcoming two lowly peasants, too, although the mayor didn’t show to shake our hands.
2. The Grand Staircase and Preston Bradley Hall
Grand is putting it lightly. Eat your heart out Vienna Opera! This stunning landmark building oozes a neoclassical style (Greek and Roman looking architecture) with arched doorways and a profusion of murals and mosaics covering almost every conceivable surface (definitely over the top).
At least a dozen of the great literary minds were acknowledged, with Longfellow leading the pack.
The over-scaled details and bold sculptural supporting consoles seemed to have found true expression as Chicago’s Cultural Center rather than as a public library.
The place was all things literature at the turn of the 20th century.
3. The Tiffany Dome
Holy mother of diamonds! Oh, wait! This was a dome, but it had enough sparkle to suggest diamonds. This magnificent 38-foot Tiffany glass dome was the focal point of the Preston Bradley Hall, a large ornately patterned room of curving white Carrara marble on the third floor of the Cultural Center. The room is a perfect venue for a lavish wedding and reception; perhaps breakfast at Tiffany's. Access was restricted the day we were there (tables set up for some sort of corporate event), but we were able to catch a glimpse of the dome.
Designed by artist J. A. Holtzer, it is reported to be the largest Tiffany dome in the world. It contains 30,000 pieces of glass and was restored to its original splendor in 2008. Despite the rainy day, the room was suffused with light. I was suffused with wonder!
Maybe I can talk Jimmy into creating a smaller version in our foyer! He’s a genius at building almost anything.
4. Healy Millet Dome
Designed by artist J. A. Holtzer, it is reported to be the largest Tiffany dome in the world. It contains 30,000 pieces of glass and was restored to its original splendor in 2008. Despite the rainy day, the room was suffused with light. I was suffused with wonder!
Maybe I can talk Jimmy into creating a smaller version in our foyer! He’s a genius at building almost anything.
4. Healy Millet Dome
Love the symmetry!
Okay, so it didn't have the panauche of a Tiffany, but it was bigger than the Tiffany dome by two feet. Fifty thousand pieces of glass had been woven into an intricate Renaissance pattern to top off the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Rotunda on the second floor.
If that private affair in the Preston Bradley Hall is not in your budget (prices start at $8,000 for the room alone), you can still have a civil wedding (no bickering allowed on such a special occasion) at the Cultural Center on select Saturday mornings for a very nominal fee. If you’ve got five minutes, they’ve got the Judge.
If that private affair in the Preston Bradley Hall is not in your budget (prices start at $8,000 for the room alone), you can still have a civil wedding (no bickering allowed on such a special occasion) at the Cultural Center on select Saturday mornings for a very nominal fee. If you’ve got five minutes, they’ve got the Judge.
The land for this Chicago landmark was donated by GAR.
5. Exhibitions
From ongoing exhibits such as the seventy-two photographs highlighting Chicago Landmarks
From ongoing exhibits such as the seventy-two photographs highlighting Chicago Landmarks
to unique displays of artists’ works, Chicago’s Cultural Center doesn’t take its lofty calling lightly. Their regular offerings of artists and curator gallery talks, lectures, panel discussions and events related to current exhibitions create a context for understanding recent art and design for a broad audience of residents and visitors to Chicago. Add to that their ongoing performing arts series showcasing both emerging and established music, theater, dance and multi-disciplinary artists and there’s it becomes apparent the Cultural Center is very serious about their task at hand. As the website suggests, “Come for the beauty, stay for the events.”
You didn't see this picture of Hale Woodruff's paintings because I didn't take this rogue picture either.
6. Reading Room and Visitors Information Center
Great place for people watching, especially on a rainy day.
This was the only area of the Cultural Center that hinted at the building’s humble origins as a library. With free Wi-Fi and restrooms nearby, the only thing it was missing was that cup of java. It was information overload in the adjoining room, the Visitor’s Center. It was filled with kiosks, brochures and pamphlets available in at least a dozen languages; and real live people to answer questions, too.
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The Bottom Line on Chicago’s Cultural Center
Verdict: Aside from the fact the interior is stunning and the place is dripping with enough culture to catapult any and all visitors to royalty status, it’s all FREE! Yep, those big, shouty capital letters are designed to get your attention if the pictures I’ve posted don't do the trick.
Jimmy and I wandered the building on our own for at least an hour after our official tour ended. FREE tours of the building by volunteer docents are presented Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1:15pm and are 45-60 minutes long. Tours meet in the Randolph Street lobby. Groups are limited to the first twenty people.
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The Bottom Line on Chicago’s Cultural Center
Verdict: Aside from the fact the interior is stunning and the place is dripping with enough culture to catapult any and all visitors to royalty status, it’s all FREE! Yep, those big, shouty capital letters are designed to get your attention if the pictures I’ve posted don't do the trick.
Jimmy and I wandered the building on our own for at least an hour after our official tour ended. FREE tours of the building by volunteer docents are presented Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1:15pm and are 45-60 minutes long. Tours meet in the Randolph Street lobby. Groups are limited to the first twenty people.
Yeah, it's still me (and Jimmy)! I just can't fight the curls on rainy or humid days. Jimmy doesn't have to fight!
Insider Information: Restrooms are located on the first floor, back behind the elevators!
Oh, and did I mention admission is FREE?
How to Get There: The Chicago Cultural Center is just blocks from Millennium Park at 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602. It’s open seven days a week, although it is closed on many of the national holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Easter, Labor Day, etc. There are a few unexpected closing days for local celebrities, such as Pulaski Day (if you’re Polish, you’ll know all about this Revolutionary War hero) and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th (if you’re a penny pincher, you’ll certainly be familiar with our 16th president of the U.S. with his mug on all those pennies!).
If traveling from the North on the Kennedy Expressway or Edens Expressway (Interstate 90/94), exit at Monroe Street and drive East to Michigan Avenue. If driving on the Outer Drive (North Lake Shore Drive/Highway 41), exit at Randolph Street and drive West to Michigan Avenue.
If traveling from the South on the Dan Ryan Expressway (Interstates 90/94), exit at Congress Parkway and drive East to Michigan Avenue and then North to Washington Street. If driving on Lake Shore Drive (Highway 41), exit at Randolph Street and drive West to Michigan Avenue.
If traveling from the East on the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 90), take the Chicago Skyway to the Stony Island exit, follow Highway 41 (Lake Shore Drive) to downtown Chicago, exit at Randolph Street and drive West to Michigan Avenue.
If coming in from the East on Interstate 90/94, continue on the Dan Ryan Expressway, exit at
Congress Parkway, drive East to Michigan Avenue and then North to Washington Street.
If traveling from the West on the Eisenhower Expressway (Interstate 290), which becomes Congress Parkway, drive East to Michigan Avenue, and then turn North (left) to Washington Street.
Nearby Food: This is a no brainer, at least according to our home grown Chicago resident, Jimmy. Who by the way admitted to never having been inside Chicago's Cultural Center before our tour. What the?
Oh, and did I mention admission is FREE?
How to Get There: The Chicago Cultural Center is just blocks from Millennium Park at 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602. It’s open seven days a week, although it is closed on many of the national holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Easter, Labor Day, etc. There are a few unexpected closing days for local celebrities, such as Pulaski Day (if you’re Polish, you’ll know all about this Revolutionary War hero) and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th (if you’re a penny pincher, you’ll certainly be familiar with our 16th president of the U.S. with his mug on all those pennies!).
If traveling from the North on the Kennedy Expressway or Edens Expressway (Interstate 90/94), exit at Monroe Street and drive East to Michigan Avenue. If driving on the Outer Drive (North Lake Shore Drive/Highway 41), exit at Randolph Street and drive West to Michigan Avenue.
If traveling from the South on the Dan Ryan Expressway (Interstates 90/94), exit at Congress Parkway and drive East to Michigan Avenue and then North to Washington Street. If driving on Lake Shore Drive (Highway 41), exit at Randolph Street and drive West to Michigan Avenue.
If traveling from the East on the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 90), take the Chicago Skyway to the Stony Island exit, follow Highway 41 (Lake Shore Drive) to downtown Chicago, exit at Randolph Street and drive West to Michigan Avenue.
If coming in from the East on Interstate 90/94, continue on the Dan Ryan Expressway, exit at
Congress Parkway, drive East to Michigan Avenue and then North to Washington Street.
If traveling from the West on the Eisenhower Expressway (Interstate 290), which becomes Congress Parkway, drive East to Michigan Avenue, and then turn North (left) to Washington Street.
Nearby Food: This is a no brainer, at least according to our home grown Chicago resident, Jimmy. Who by the way admitted to never having been inside Chicago's Cultural Center before our tour. What the?
Professor Jim is cool about his first dose of Chicago culture.
Once you exit the building, head a block or two in just about any direction for a smorgasbord of of the best in fine dining, fast food (don't miss those famous Chicago hot dogs)and a few local food fests, depending on when you visit.
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