A Private Fortress
The imposing, heavy, dark rusticated facade of this building has a very fortress-like
quality to it.
Walls built to keep people out and protect those within.
The building is home to one of the city's oldest and most prestigious clubs, the Chicago
Club, founded in 1869. Once the very private, very exclusive stomping grounds of men like Marshall Field, George Pullman, Potter Palmer, and other Chicago business elites, the current membership has expanded to include people of color and women. They even have a web page, but you have to be a member to enter.
Chicago's Art Institute once stood on this site before moving across Michigan Avenue, and
the Club building was designed to mimic the look and feel of the museum's former home. I've heard a great story about club windows. They were always just above street level so the members could look out over the crowds of common folk, but it was hard for the common folk to see in. Also, if you did happen to see granddad sitting in a chair behind that big sheet of glass puffing on his stogie, definitely do not wave "Hi!" You will have crossed a line and broken the cardinal rule of the club's existence, the guarantee of privacy behind those imposing walls.
Hmmm... that last little bit of the story sounded a little bit autobiographical. Is there more to this tale designslinger?
Love the blog as always.
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Nope. No more to the tale.
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