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Architecture
Perhaps Chicago's most identifiable claim to fame resides in its architecture. In fact, the city's love affair with modern architecture makes its love of the Chicago hot dog or the Chicago-style pizza seem altogether tame. As Wayne Curtis of the New York Times wrote (Oct 2002): "This city loves its modern architecture the way Rome loves its fountains, and with good reason."
Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper, and its architects have initiated international architectural styles and movements that have influenced skylines worldwide, the most notable being the Chicago School and the Prairie School. When the Chicago Fire of 1871 wiped out 18,000 buildings, destroyed $200 million in property - over 1/3 the valuation of the entire city - architects from across the globe converged on Chicago for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to design and rebuild a great city, literally from the ground up. The Phoenix that was borne out of the ashes of this tragedy was an opportunity for city planning on a scale not realized since, with the finest architects in the world designing buildings that complimented the lakefront, communicated with the flow and curves of the Chicago River, and boldly articulated Chicago's indomitable spirit. Chicago became synonymous with the world's greatest architectural innovations and scientific advances of its time.
A drive through any downtown street will leave visitors awed, with necks aching from craning at the towering masterpieces, marked with bold lines and unimaginably subtle beauties. The Chicago Architectural Foundation offers guided tours, in-house exhibits, classes and lectures to acquaint you with Chicago's most treasured achievements. Their architectural boat tour along the Chicago River is not to be missed! Reserve your seat well in advance, as the boats sell out quickly.
Chicago is also the home of Frank Lloyd Wright, widely considered to be one of America's greatest architects and one of its most significant artists. In a remarkable career spanning over seventy years, he created over 1,000 designs, 500 of which were realized. An innovator in the Arts and Crafts movement, Wright left behind a rich legacy of beautiful houses and buildings - a truly American style of architecture, and an example of what it means to live life based on your own convictions. Wright combined his creative qualities - his exploration of new technologies, his invention of new styles, his striving for maximum expressive effect, his search for grammatical consistency in all his buildings - with a remarkable playfulness. Chicago is home to many great Lloyd works, and one of the best ways to see them is through the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy tours.
So take the time when you're in Chicago and look around, and especially up. Take a moment to flirt with these great structures. We suspect you'll fall in love as well!
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