Full Frontal
[Fine Arts Building Wabash Annex (1924) Andrew N. Rebori, architect, March 4, 2010 /Images & Artwork:
designslinger]
It was skinny and long, with not much going for it other than overtones of 1920s Art Deco
styling on the front facade designed by architect Andrew Rebori. I say was, because the only thing that remains of this building is the facade.
[Annex facade with building, March 4, 2010; Annex facade detail without building, July 1, 2010 /Images & Artwork:
designslinger]
Built in the shadow of the Wabash Avenue segment of the transit authority's elevated
tracks, the building was constructed to house the power plant of the Fine Arts Building which stood across the alleyway. The Fine Arts Building had been constructed decades earlier and the need for a mechanical upgrade required a separate structure for the new equipment. You can't get much more utilitarian than that when asked to design a building, but Rebori at least gave the building front some interesting detailing.
[421 S. Wabash Avenue, March 4, 2010; 421 S. Wabash, July 1, 2010 /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
The building also housed a few studio spaces and will be remembered by most Chicagoans
because of the large painted sign on the north wall for the Pago Pago restaurants serving Cantonese Food, Exotic Drinks, In A Polynesian Atmosphere. The wall is gone but the facade survives as part a new academic building project underway by neighboring Roosevelt University. Click here to see a few renderings of the new building with Rebori's skinny facade attached.
And see more about the Fine Arts Building in: Fine Arts Building
Posted by designslinger at 7/29/2010 1:44 AM 
Categories: Architecture, History, Preservation
Tags: Andrew N. Rebori Fine Arts Building restaurants Pago Pago Tiki Restaurant
Categories: Architecture, History, Preservation
Tags: Andrew N. Rebori Fine Arts Building restaurants Pago Pago Tiki Restaurant
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