Welcome to CornerSpotter, Curbed's regular game in which you, fair readers, consult archival streetscape photos or postcard illustrations to identify the building(s) and/or location presented. Time to tap that reservoir of urban minutiae and flaunt it before your fellow readers. Fire away in the comments, and we'll reveal the correct identity and backstory tomorrow.
The above postcard reveals one of the earlier expressions of Chicago's growth and organization and a major improvement to 19th century infrastructure. The first consolidation of services intrinsic to growth and quality of life (and proof that logic could prevail amid rampant capitalism), this building is an ancestor to today's site occupant— now notably larger. The replacement structure is grand but cheapened, a frustrating mash-up with unmet potential despite being declared one of America's "great places". Alright, that's all you get. Should be enough.
·Cornerspotter [Curbed Chicago]
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