Hello archi lovers!
Welcome once again to Chicago, a special city. Although a city is much more than its buildings and its streets, we have seen a lot of the windy city, many places, many perspectives and the spectacular skyline. We have visited a multitude of iconic and emblematic spaces, from the street, from the river, from the heights, and in different ways.
A thousand and one ways to contemplate and enjoy the city of architecture, where everything blends harmoniously between the buildings, the parks and the lake. And it is time to finish this long visit to Chicago.
There is little left for us to see and show, little that will surprise us again and leave us speechless, just a walk through the city to feel life in its streets, and without going grand but rather everyday.
Because daily life in Chicago is also art, architecture and design, in every corner, in every subway car that passes through our heads, in every theater, restaurant and store sign, in every garden area, stylish house facade or even in every quaint neighborhood. Everywhere, let's see all this...
In cities with large and tall buildings we feel small in the daily hustle and bustle and we observe how the sunlight penetrates between the buildings, creating different effects, contrasts and chiaroscuro, while people walk in a hurry taking for granted the city that houses them as traffic crosses from one side of the Chicago River to the other.
The life of the people who live there continues its course without observing or being aware of the whole environment that surrounds them: flags, facades, drawbridges, panoramic views, even works of art like a huge reproduction of the “American Gothic” painting by Grant Wood which became a giant temporary sculpture. [More about it here in Wikipedia]
Just like the Chicago subway continues its course, especially when it reaches Downtown, there The Loop as they call it crosses the frantic heart of the city from above, above us who see it pass when crossing any street. A metro that spans the city that takes us close every day or far to different neighborhoods or to the airport.
And we approach other curious neighborhoods, a small Chinatown, a large street full of Chinese restaurants and other shops, encircled at the ends by those characteristic red and arches with golden letters that welcome us and also indicate the exit.
We head out to other places, the city is large and on many of the walks we are surprised by some curious signs, from well-known establishments or from other more local ones, but which attract attention, which is surely the objective.
This is how we are collecting different stylish posters, one of them being the most iconic and famous of all, the “Chicago” sign from the theater auditorium, where the most famous musical works are performed between lights and many spectators. How to forget those neon letters?
And from neon lights to natural green, because we have already seen that despite the cement and asphalt there is also a lot of nature in the city, urban green spaces that give life and color, with its tulip festival in May, or many more flowers in big pots on the streets and in its many parks that already we have met.
Or simply by discovering facades from other times decorated and covered by vegetation. Yet another sustainable and current style for those who adore urban architecture.
And we take the last turns through those streets that once surprised me so much, that they enchanted me and made me fall in love. A special, incredible and unique place to enjoy spectacular views of an iconic urban space hugging Lake Michigan.
Possibly this tour acquires more meaning and feeling from the eyes of someone who likes architecture and design, someone who was able to enjoy some time in this magnificent city and possibly this tour ends here.
At least from this point of view, perhaps in the long series of posts about Chicago I will add two extra bonuses different.
But our excursions, admiring the beauty of what has been built and what has been fused with that stupendous environment, now end up taking these last steps through this city full of unparalleled buildings, emblematic places, points known in American series and films, impressive spaces, unforgettable perspectives and everything around full of life, satisfaction and love for architecture. Thank you so much.
Fall in love with Chicago, I hope you have enjoyed these spectacular city views through this series of posts...
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