Beyond food, shopping and the “Bean”, Chicago boasts one of the most iconic skylines in the world. Post 1871, when the great fire burned down a large majority of the buildings in Chicago, young and ambitious architects had a phenomenal opportunity to make their future mark. Many would say that New York has the world’s most recognizable skyline, however Chicago really set the tone and invented the concepts of modern American metropolis styles, starting in the 1800’s. The early skyscraper was pioneered in Chicago with the 138 ft (42.1 m) Home Insurance Building in 1885, forming the basis for which the United States would hold the position of the world’s tallest building throughout the 20th century until 1998. (Wikipedia)
Chicago also became home to the famous, Frank Lloyd Wright who played a key role in creating the notion of “Organic Architecture” that is based on the philosophy of designing using the combination of harmony with human habitats and nature. His accomplishments over his lifetime, designing over 1000 structures, impacted generations of international architects.
Today, Chicago is a tapestry of unique and experimental shapes, sizes and features a variety of construction materials. From the impressive Willis Tower skyscraper, still one of the tallest buildings in the world, to the Aqua Tower that is a glass box in shape internally but features sculpted concrete balcony slabs that gives the effect of rippling water on the exterior. Marina City is another landmark along the Chicago river that has unique flare, with its “Corn Cob” design that pays tribute to the great Mid-West state of Illinois and all its natural resources.
The stunning and interesting architecture makes Chicago a prime and popular spot for filming movies. Some of the major hits include – Blues Brothers, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, many of the Batman series, Transformers and My Best Friend’s Wedding, along with many more blockbuster films. Clearly, this iconic city has an abundance of offerings and can be explored in a variety of ways such as a historic guided river boat tour or aboard an open-air double decker bus. For more information visit www.miexperts.com and speak with an expert today!
