It is a city of skyscrapers.
Chicago is the birthplace of skyscrapers — it was here in 1885 appeared the world’s first high-rise building. It is believed to be second in the number of skyscrapers a city in the US — more than only Manhattan. Chicago is located on the coast of lake Michigan in Illinois. It is the third most populated city in USA after new York and Los Angeles. In the city home to more than 2.7 million, and in the Metropolitan area — nearly 10 million people.
Photos and text of Fame Stepanova
1. The first Europeans appeared in the area around Chicago in 1673, but permanent settlement emerged only in 100 years — it was a Fort for protection from the attacks of Indian tribes. Due to its geographical location between the East and the West of America Chicago quickly turned into a key transport hub of the country and began to grow rapidly.
2. In 1871 occurred the Great Chicago fire, which lasted two days. The city had to be rebuilt. The construction boom, coupled with the high cost of land, has led to the emergence in 1885 of the first skyscraper. It was a 10-storey building of the Insurance company (The Home Insurance Building), which existed until 1931.
3. Now in Chicago 114 of skyscrapers is one of the tallest cities in the world.
4. Business center of the Chicago Loop (the”Chicago loop”). Here are concentrated the highest skyscrapers of the city, and most of the architectural attractions.
5. Loop in the loop. Fancy name to the business district of Chicago at the time, gave the ring branch of the Skytrain.
6. Tribune Tower (Tribune Tower). The headquarters of the most popular Newspapers of Chicago and the entire Midwest — Chicago Tribune. Skyscraper with a height of 141 meters built in the years 1923-1925 in the Gothic revival style. In its walls there are embedded the stones from famous buildings of the world, brought from travel correspondents of the Chicago Tribune (for example, the great wall of China, the Parthenon and the Roman Cathedral of St. Peter).
7. Wrigley Building (Wrigley Building). The building company William Wrigley Jr. one of the leaders of the world market of chewing gum. This is the first Chicago skyscraper, in which there are air conditioning in offices.
8. Through the city runs a network of tunnels, which pass under the centre without traffic jams. In addition, there are special entrances for special equipment, such as garbage collection of skyscrapers.
The photo shows a bridge on Michigan Avenue, which was the first in the world history two-level bridge. It was assumed that its upper part will move at a fast non-commercial transport, and the bottom will become the bridge for heavy trucks.
9. Marina City (Marina City). The high-rise building was built in 1964 and immediately was nicknamed “Corn cob” for the characteristic shape. Consists of two 65-story towers with a height of 179 metres. The lower 18 floors reserved for Parking, and from the river equipped berths for yachts.
10. The uniqueness of apartments in Marina City is that here you will not find angles. The architect’s on each floor common corridor was made in the form of a circle which is framed in the form of wedges 16 rooms (condos). Completes the whole ensemble semi-circular balcony, separated from the rest of the dwelling high-impact glass floor to ceiling.
During the construction of Marina City for the first time in America, used tower cranes.
11. The Chicago river is the only river in the world that flows backwards.
In the 19th century arose the problem of shortage of drinking water. The water was then taken from lake Michigan, and waste dumped in the Chicago river that emptied into the same lake. Then the municipality has adopted a truly revolutionary solution was to turn the Chicago river so that it emptied into lake Michigan, and run out of it! Did in 1900 — the problem of sanitation and drinking water for the city was decided.
By the way, for more than 40 years to the St. Patrick’s day (17 March) the Chicago river dyed bright green.
12. Millennium Park (Millenium Park). Public Park located in downtown Chicago, is the North-Western section of the huge Grant Park (Grant Park) and directly adjacent to the Chicago skyscrapers. This advantageous location has made the Park one of the main centers of attraction for locals and tourists.
13. The sculpture “Cloud gate” (Cloud Gate). Residents soon nicknamed this sculpture “the bean” because of its shape resembling a bean.
This 100-ton structure was built in 2004-2006 and consists of 168 stainless steel sheets, polished so that its outside surface has no visible seams. In the “Cloud gate” reflects virtually all of the surrounding landscape. To “Bob” is always shining, you must use 150 liters of detergent at a time.
Design “Bob” was created by British artist Anish Kapoor. It is believed that the sculpture was inspired by a drop of mercury.
14. Pavilion Pritzker (Pritzker Pavilion). Concert hall for 4,000 people (including the surrounding lawn — 7000), designed by world renowned architect Frank Gehry. The pavilion consists of curving steel surfaces, reminiscent of a delicate flower or unfolding the sails of a ship. The stage is designed so that the sound is equally heard any of the listeners, regardless of where he sits.
The road to the pavilion leads through a curved bridge that connects Millennium Park with a neighboring Park. The bridge is named in honor of the company “British petroleum” (BP), which donated 5 million dollars for its construction. In winter, the bridge is closed, so as not to scuff the ice with wooden flooring.
15. Willis tower (Willis Tower). At the time of completion of this 110-storey, 443-meter skyscraper was the tallest building in the world. This record he held for 25 years — until the construction of Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010.
16. Now the Willis tower — the second tallest building in the United States (after the Freedom Tower) and the tenth-tallest building in the world.
17. The skyscraper stands at 9 “piles” of square section, connected with each other. They climb up to 50 floors. Then the building starts to narrow. 7 “piles” are up to 66-th floor, 5 — to 90-second and only two “piles” to form the remaining 20 floors. Each such “pile”, in fact, represents the whole building. Relatively speaking, the Willis tower is 9 skyscrapers of different height joined in the one house.
The Willis tower was the first building, which was used in this project. Design allows, if desired, or if necessary, to finish on top of another floor.
18. From the observation deck on the 103rd floor of the building visible from 4 States: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. It opened June 22, 1974 and was named Skydeck. Annually, the Skydeck attracts more than 1.3 million tourists.
19. Originally, the skyscraper was called the Sears tower (Sears Tower). But since July 16, 2009 high-rise building bears the name of one of the tenants that occupy multiple floors, and, without payment of any remuneration. After 2024, the skyscraper can change the name, as the right to a name is valid for 15 years.
20. The Museum of natural history. Field (The Field Museum of Natural History). The main exhibit of the Museum is the Tyrannosaurus Rex sue. This is the largest preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton in the world.
21. The building of the Chicago temple (Chicago Temple Building). “Religious”, the skyscraper was built in 1924. After 30 years on the roof was built so-called “Celestial chapel” (Sky Chapel). The top of her spire in Gothic style is situated at the height 173,3 meters.
Now only the first five floors are occupied by a religious organization, and the premises from 5 to 23 floors are rented to various commercial organizations. Since the skyscraper is not used entirely for religious purposes, it is not included in the list of the tallest temples.
22. Chicago Picasso (Chicago Picasso). 15-meter sculpture, made in the style of cubism, is a popular meeting place in Chicago. People often call her a horse or a Fox as Picasso, depending on what Association.
According to one version, the creation of the original 162-ton statue of Pablo Picasso inspired by the image of Lydia Corbett, which the artist has devoted many of his works. Even Picasso himself was offered a fee of $ 100,000 but refused, stating that he wanted to make his work a gift to the city.
23. The Chicago metro. The Metropolitan Chicago consists of 8 lines with a total length of 170 km, and 92 km of track runs above ground (by trestles). Is the third busiest subway in the USA after new York and Washington.
24. The near North Side (Near North Side) — the district adjacent to the Chicago Loop from the North.
25. Magnificent mile (Magnificent Mile). This is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. Located on the site of the Michigan Avenue North of the Chicago river. The areas around the “Magnificent mile” are among the most expensive and prestigious in Chicago.
26. Center John Hancock (John Hancock Center). The building is named in honor of statesman and hero of the struggle for the independence of the United States. Residents often call him Big John (Big John).
The main feature of this 100-storey skyscraper lies in its hollow design, resembling a large quadrangular column. Thanks to a crossover of the steel cross structure of the building turned out stronger and tougher. At a wind speed of about 100 km/h in the building deviates by only 15-20 cm.
