Welcome to Archigames, wherein nominated local buildings of a particular style are matched up in sudden death pairings to decide the most suitable representative of said style. This week it's Art Deco, and the third of four first round pairings is below. Brush up on the nominees, but always defer to your tastes when casting your vote. Polls close tomorrow at noon. Thanks for playing!
Here, here! Another art deco titan has entered the fray, the Chicago Motor Club Building, a lesser known gem. Designed by Holabird & Root, it's tucked away on Wacker, just off Michigan. It was added to the National Historic Register in 1978, with Chicago landmark status granted earlier this year. The 15-story building, vacant for years, has seen better days. Last we heard, plans had been floated to convert it to a boutique hotel. Its engaging limestone facade features a cast-iron surround and is flush with exterior details, including the Chicago Motor Club insignia. Inside, the building's 3-story lobby is adorned by a 29-foot wide mural, designed by John Warner Norton.
Another worthy competitor is the iconic Palmolive Building, also by Holabird & Root. The 37-story tower has quite the storied past, serving as headquarters to Playboy Magazine from 1965 to 1989. Today, its luxe condos are home to a who's who of influential Chicagoans, actor Vince Vaughn among them. Its signature element is the Lindberg Beacon. Originally used to guide airplanes to Midway Airport, it was turned off in 1981 due to complaints from nearby residents. But after a 26-year hiatus, a modified version of the beacon was lit up once again, adding some sparkle to the sky.
·Archigames [Curbed Chicago]
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