Lee Bey

Turhan Bey. You know, for some reason I've always liked him.

Loop tower that replaced historic Chicago Stock Exchange Building wins preliminary landmark status The idea of landmarking the building at 30 N. LaSalle St. hit a sore spot with some preservationists (and this architecture critic), because the drab tower replaced a far superior structure.

Today's follow-up to last week's column. "The idea of landmarking the 30 N. LaSalle hit a sore spot with some preservationists (and this architecture critic) because the unrelentingly drab tower replaced Adler & Sullivan's far superior 1894 building."

Illinois Medical District getting its first park in 80 years Officials and architects said the park would act as a place of activity and rest. It will also be the site of the memorial dedicated to COVID-19 victims and workers.

Today's architecture column. The giant Illinois Medical District to get its first new park in 80 years, designed by the landscape architecture firm, site design.

Man o man o man. My bud Bill Kurtis sent me a copy of his new book, Whirlwind: My Life Reporting the News. I cannot wait to dig in.

In today's paper: The print version of my latest column.

The lovely Annazette Chase in this very cool and sophisticated 1970 commercial for Profile bread. A year later, the bread's makers skinned back the weight loss claims after getting sued by the FTC.

YouTube video by WTTW Legendary Blizzards — A Chicago Stories Documentary

Now *these* were snowstorms, baby.

Heck yes, all rise for the judge: The 1969 Pontiac GTO "The Judge." (And Paul Revere & The Raiders.)

Loop skyscraper that replaced Louis Sullivan masterpiece heads toward landmark protection In an ironic twist, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks next month will weigh granting preliminary landmark status for 30 N. LaSalle St. for which Sullivan's masterpiece was sacrificed.

Today's architecture column. In an ironic twist, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks next month will weigh granting preliminary landmark status for 30 N. LaSalle St., the nondescript building for which Louis Sullivan’s masterpiece, the Chicago Stock Exchange Building, was sacrificed in 1972.

Bears beat the Lions in OT, 45 years ago today. I remember this like it was yesterday.

How did I find this gem? I watching a Bears vs Vikings game from 1979 on YouTube last night. The game was complete with original commercials, including this one.

Walter Payton uses a paper transfer to ride public transit on the 1979 RTA commercial.

Thank you!

I can't sing and can't play a musical instrument. But back in 1985 when I had to pose for this group shot, I totally tried to steal what Jellybean Johnson did on the cover of The Time's 1981 album. The power of the skinny tie compelled me.

YouTube video by UNDFTDGordon The Time - The Walk & 777 9311 (Live on Night Times Variety Show)

Ladies and gentlemen: The Time.

Today's architecture column in print. “This is a unique little jewel box,” Chicago art historian and stained glass expert Rolf Achilles said of Ave Maria chapel in the West Lawn neighborhood. “[It’s] absolutely unique. There’s nothing like it in Chicago.”

Am looking up WPA era schools and found this near-cousin to Chicago Vocational: Weequhic High School in Newark. Built in 1933 and designed by architects Guilbert & Betelle.

Photo: Peter Thomas / Financial Times

Here is the Stahl family's FB message regarding the sale of Case Study House 22. Possibly my all-time #1 architecture tour... Carlotta and Mark Stahl were hosting and it was absolutely magical. No one wanted to leave. Won't be the same under new owners, esp. given likely price tag, but 🤞

Endangered Southwest Side chapel designed by Lithuanian refugees could be headed toward salvation "There's nothing like it in Chicago," historian Rolf Achilles said.

Today's architecture column. “This is a unique little jewel box,” Chicago art historian and stained glass expert Rolf Achilles said of Ave Maria chapel in the West Lawn neighborhood. “[It’s] absolutely unique. There’s nothing like it in Chicago.

Bronzeville's historic arts center's glow-up boosted by new $2 million grant The Driehaus Foundation gift goes toward restoring and doubling the size of the nation's oldest Black American art center.

Today's column. Bronzeville's landmark South Side Community Art Center gets a $2 million Richard Driehaus Foundation grant that'll go toward restoring and doubling the size of its historic building.

My Obama Center column in today's print edition. "What we did realize is that in 50 years ... people will want to pay homage [to Obama’s presidency]," architect Billie Tsien said. "This was a crucial time in the history of our country. Therefore, the building needs to have a kind of power to it."

Man o man o man, I had a blast at lunch today meeting and chatting with artist Ellen Harvey who was in town. She created Commuter Carpet -- now being removed from the Brown Line Francisco stop bc of wear. The Disappointed Tourist an ingenious show now at the Chicago Architecture Center is also hers.

Thank you!

On the Sun-Times TikTok today, talking about the Obama Presidential Center.

Thank you!

Obama Presidential Center takes shape after 10 years of delays and construction "In 50 years, when none of us are here, people will want to pay homage [to Obama's presidency]. This was a crucial time in the history of our country. Therefore, the building needs to have a kind of p...

Today's column: An early look at the Obama Center. Not a critique, but "enough has been built to get a sense of what the public will get for giving up 20 acres of historic Jackson Park for a campus of new buildings, gardens, parkland — and the much-discussed 225-foot museum tower."

That is a pretty cool photo.

A hard-hatted group of Chicago museum professionals chat with architect Billie Tsien before they tour the Obama Presidential Center construction site, 11/5/25

Parks should be made for people. Why does such an obvious idea elude us? We need to create spaces where people want to gather, as William H. Whyte argued, but the central requirements are sadly absent in Canadian public spaces

People want to be with other people. A recent event showcased the wisdom of William H Whyte, and I ask: why don’t our public spaces follow his lead? www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/art-...

Thank u!