CHICAGO - July 2025, Part 1

[MayDay]

Went on a work trip and still managed to snap about 1,800 pics. The weather was all over the place but had just enough decent days. If you do go to Chicago, the architectural boat tour is an absolute must.

Views from Midway and the Orange Line:

[Murphy de la Sucre]

good to see the most updated chicago

[plinko]

One of my favorite places!

[Echoes]

Oh this was a real treat. Thank you!

[Wigs]

Love me some Chicago!
I'm still in awe of the Sears err Willis Tower.

Toronto is finally building a couple of supertall 300m plus towers (CN/communications tower excluded) and yet in 1973, over 5 decades ago! Chicago opened a 400m plus tower with 110 floors, with a top floor at 413m/1,354 ft, and almost 4.5 million square feet of space. Just a gargantuan supertall!

Chicago is a treasure trove of American architecture.
I also like that slender new(er) build with numerous setbacks that's giving South American skyscraper vibes

[Driver8]

Great job of showcasing the architectural variety in the Windy City!

[ColDayMan]

Great stuff.

[MayDay]

Thanks all! I work in insurance so the team I was with ... well, some called it the Willis Tower

[UrbanImpact]

Awesome, pictures!

[Architype]

Very nice, great vintage, not often seen to this extent of course.

[OhioGuy]

Nice!

(I miss Chicago!)

[Steely Dan]

Yes, fun river tour. Great pics!

Even when the weather isn't tip top, the architecture still shines with a different moodiness.

[geomorph]

I never realized some of the Marina City balconies are split between units!

[Halsted & Villagio]

Originally Posted by geomorph

I never realized some of the Marina City balconies are split between units!

Its been roughly 25 since I lived in Marina City - Condo 2432 - I was fresh out of law school... got my bar results there/will never forget it. I pride myself on being a good neighbor, but that was the one time when neighbors all around could hear me celebrating ..... haaha, I will never forget it.... so needless to say, Marina City will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart.

But back to your observation... its been many lifetimes ago (seemingly) since I have lived there and, of course, some things fade over time... but if memory serves, I believe those split balconies are studios... maybe even some 1 bedroom units. Not completely sure, but I believe it was definitely for the smaller units.

Again, that was 25 years ago or so... could be different now.

[Steely Dan]

I lived in Marina City from 2007 - 2012.

The studio units are 1 "pie wedge" and get 1 whole "petal" balcony.

The 1-bed units are 1.5 "pie wedges" and get 1.5 "petal" balconies.

The .5 balconies for the 1-beds are where you see the dividers on the balconies.

[Halsted & Villagio]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

I lived in Marina City from 2007 - 2012.

The studio units are 1 "pie wedge" and get 1 whole "petal" balcony.

The 1-bed units are 1.5 "pie wedges" and get 1.5 "petal" balconies.

The .5 balconies for the 1-beds are where you see the dividers on the balconies.

I missed you Steely, I was gone in 2003 - purchased a home in Naperville -- huge mistake/story for another day but long story short, I never knew how much I would miss the city.

Yes, your balcony breakdown is spot on accurate. Now that you've posted the breakdown, I recall the balcony situation a little more clearly. My unit used to face the river... my my my how I took that for granted as a young, ambitious man. Granted, back then some of the common areas needed a little work -- it was not quite as nice as what you see today. I loved the view but I could not stop thinking about my next conquest (sort of speak) back then. Lesson to be passed on to the young guys here - take some time to smell the roses. MC was special!