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History, culture, and commerce collide on Chicago’s
densely- packed Near North side. This area is a pleasure to explore on
foot, whether motivated by a penchant for shopping or an appreciation of
fine art and architecture. The city’s toniest shopping boulevard – the
Magnificent Mile, a.k.a. the Mag Mile – bridges the posh 19th-century
mansions of the lakeside Gold Coast (which has its own clutch of upscale
boutiques) and the former industrial warehouses of River North, now
mostly converted into art galleries. In addition to these, two local art
museums prove that “exhibitionism” in Chicago isn’t just about the Art
Institute .
But ultimately, it’s the Magnificent Mile on a Saturday that says more
about Midwestern vitality and giddy American consumerism than any other
Chicago experience.
Tiffany vases
SightsMagnificent Mile Whether
you’re a shopper or not, this store-lined strip warrants a visit if
only to get a feel for the commercial pulse that seems to keep Chicago
humming .
Magnificent Mile
John Hancock Center Skidmore,
Owings & Merrill designed this 1970 landmark using the signature
X’s on the facade as cross-braces to help the 1,100-ft (335-m) building
withstand the winds coming off Lake Michigan. An alternative to soaking
up the view from the 94th-floor observatory is drinking it in from the
Signature Room restaurant and lounge on the floors directly above. Many
say you get a better view from here than from the South Side’s Sears
Tower – and the lines are usually shorter too. 875 N. Michigan Ave. Observatory open 9am–11pm daily Adm. DA Signature Room open 11am–2:30pm Mon–Sat, 10am–2pm Sun, 5–10pm Sun–Thu, 5–11pm Fri & Sat DA
Merchandise Mart This
massive two-squareblock edifice houses Chicago’s premier interior
design trade showrooms. When completed in 1930, the four million-sq-ft
(390,000-sq-m) building was the largest in the world. Today, it is
second only to the Pentagon in size, and is still the world’s largest
commercial building. A 90-minute guided tour includes a visit to several
showrooms. 300 N. Wells St. Free DA Tours 1pm Mon & Fri call 312 527 7762 Adm. cash only
Merchandise Mart
Museum of Contemporary Art One
of the country’s largest collections of international contemporary art,
the MCA displays over 6,000 objects, from painting and sculpture to
photography and video installations. Trendy Spago chef Wolfgang Puck
runs the airy café, which draws both museum-goers and Mag Mile shoppers
alike. In summer, the terraced sculpture garden enhances the MCA
experience, while the front lawn often plays host to displays of
performance art. River North Gallery District Said
to be the most concentrated art hub in the US outside of Manhattan,
this district is jammed with great galleries. Most are to be found in
the handsome, 19th-century, converted brick warehouses found along
either side of the El brown line. Huron and Superior Streets are
particularly worth a visit. Bounded by Merchandise Mart (south), Chicago Ave. (north), Orleans Ave. (west), Dearborn St. (east) Chicago Gallery News 312 649 0064
www.chicagogallerynews.com
Carl Hammer Gallery, River North Gallery District
Gold Coast Area Chicago
boasts many upscale neighborhoods, but none more historic and
prestigious than the Gold Coast. Railroad, retail, and lumber tycoons
built this elegant district in the decades following the Great Fire of 1871,
and its leafy streets are lined with 19th-century mansions interspersed
with early 20th-century apartment buildings. There are no less than 300
designated historic landmarks in the Astor Street District alone,
including buildings by Stanford White (such as 20 E. Burton Place), and Charnley House, designed by Louis Sullivan (assisted at the time by Frank Lloyd Wright). (1365 N. Astor Street). Historic Water Tower & Pumping Station When
the Great Fire of 1871 swept north, only the 1869 Water Tower and
Pumping Station escaped ruin. Built by William W. Botington, the
castellated Gothic-Revival Water Tower, modeled after a medieval castle,
was once called a “monstrosity” by critic Oscar Wilde. It now houses
the City Gallery (specializing in photography), and the fountain and
chairs outside make it a focal point for downtown street life. The Water
Pumping station across the street still functions, and also houses a
visitor center and the Lookingglass Theater, co-founded by Friends star David Schwimmer. Water Pumping Station & TowerCity Gallery
Historic Water Tower
Tribune Tower Topped
by flying buttresses, this Gothic-style building was completed in 1925.
Its faux historic design had won a competition organized by Colonel
Robert McCormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune,
the newspaper whose offices still occupy the building. Look closely at
the facade, which is embedded with over 120 stones collected by
correspondents from famed sights. There’s a rock hailing from each of
the 50 states, as well as fragments from international monuments such as
Greece’s Parthenon, India’s Taj Mahal, and The Great Wall of China. 435 N Michigan Ave Tours by appointment
Fourth Presbyterian Church The
first Fourth Presbyterian church, dedicated in 1871, celebrated its
first sermon just hours before it was incinerated in the Great Fire.
Rebuilt in 1914 when Magnificent Mile was the little-used Pine Street,
today’s church offers a peaceful respite from the now highly commercial
boulevard. Designed by Ralph Adams Cram, one of the architects behind
New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, it’s not surprising that
this church boasts a cathedral-like interior, with an impressive
stained-glass west window. A tranquil courtyard is often the place for
classical concerts in summer. 126 E. Chestnut St. Open 9am–6pm daily Free DA
Hershey’s Chicago When
candy-manufacturer Milton Hershey visited the city of Chicago in 1893,
he purchased the equipment that he would use to revolutionize the
chocolate industry. With mass production he was able to lower the cost
of manufacturing milk chocolate, once a luxury item, making it
affordable to all. Today, the Hershey Foods Corporation is the largest
North American producer of chocolate and non-chocolate confectionary.
Hershey’s Chicago, a new themed store on Magnificent Mile, stocks all
the well-known brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, and Kit Kat,
as well as the latest products and goods unique to the Chicago store.
Sugar-free versions of the most popular products are also available. A
hit with children is the store’s interactive “bake shoppe” where
visitors can customize cookies, cupcakes, and brownies.
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