Umbrella in tow, Curbed made a mad dash through the rain to the art deco goodness of the Civic Opera House. Designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, the throne-shaped behemoth is an iconic presence along the Chicago River. One of its signature elements, a dramatic block-long arcade, provided a welcome refuge from the rather inhospitable weather. The 45-story office building is also home to a cavernous 3,563-seat theater, which the Lyric Opera of Chicago has performed in since its founding in 1954. A grand foyer was our jumping-off point to the theater. With its intricate stylings and luminous golden ceilings, it has been wowing opera attendees and casual visitors alike for decades.
But we're not finished. We've compiled a collection of shots from a number of other downtown destinations, including the 525-foot Kemper Building, which opened its 360-degree observation deck to the public for the first time in 40 years. And while visibility through the streaked glass was less than ideal, we managed to capture a close-up of the Jeweler's Building's ornate cupola. Also included: rare views from 330 N. Wabash, designed by Mies van der Rohe, Roosevelt University's Auditorium Building on South Michigan Avenue, and more! What a weekend!
·Civic Opera House [Open House Chicago]
·Open House Chicago 2012 [Curbed Chicago]