tribune tower tour

A Tour of the Inside of Tribune Tower

• May 3, 2012

Whenever I come downtown and walk up Michigan Avenue the Tribune Tower is rising above. Walking past the building, I would look into the showcase studio for WGN radio . Then, I’d admire the countless stones placed on the facade from around the world. This past Saturday, I got the very cool opportunity to go inside the historic Tribune Tower. I went behind the scenes on a tour of Colonel Robert R. McCormick’s office and the 25 th floor balcony. It was an especially neat opportunity, since our Downton Bucket List private tours often visit the Tribune Tower.

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Tribune Tower Tour for Class

Through my school, North Central College, I enrolled in “Chicago on the Ground: Walking Tours of America’s Architectural Capital” led by Professor Wendy Koenig and Chicago Tribune Architecture Critic Blair Kamin . It’s non-traditional classes that get students out of the classroom and into the world for first-hand educational experiences.

The tour began in the lobby as Kamin told the story of the international competition held by the Chicago Tribune to find a design for the headquarters for what McCormick deemed the “World’s Greatest Newspaper.” Kamin also pointed out the inscriptions lining the walls of the lobby that promote freedom of the press. The winning design was a neo-Gothic tower. It was designed by architect Raymond Hood and John Meed Howells and was completed in 1925. After learning that, we headed to the elevators by passing the red velvet ropes that keep out the general public.

Col. McCormick’s Tribune Tower Office

The 24 th floor is home to McCormick’s Office, his secretary’s office, amongst several other rooms. While his massive desk has been moved to one of many of McCormick’s former homes, you can still imagine what it would have been like for this media mogul to take in the fantastic view of the Loop and the Chicago River. Kamin remarked that there would have been fewer buildings back then.

We looked at some very interesting designs on the air vents. McCormick was a Colonel during World War I. So one of the vents shows a cannon. Others are adorned with the symbol of the secret society, Scroll and Key, he was involved in when he went to Yale.

Balcony Views

As we finished in his office the security guard for the building took us up to the 25 th floor so that we could step onto the balcony underneath the flying buttresses. The scale of the building really became apparent from up above. As I looked up I felt quite small as the buttresses towered above me. Traditionally flying buttresses served as a support system to hold up the vaulted ceilings of cathedrals, but in this case they are entirely ornamental.

I loved seeing where McCormick once worked, though it’s disappointing that the desk does not remain. As a budding historian I find it disheartening that this room was not preserved to its fullest. Our tour was very engaging and informative. Kamin and Koenig are very knowledgeable and provided an interesting history of the Chicago Tribune and the building. I am looking forward to touring Frank Lloyd Wright ’s home and studio and Farnsworth House next week.

~Brian Failing: Research & Collections Intern

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Tribune Tower

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Business | Chicago’s Tribune Tower: ‘The world’s most beautiful office building’ decoded

Decoding Tribune Tower

Built in 1922, the iconic chicago landmark carries architectural significance.

“The world’s most beautiful office building.” That’s what Chicago Tribune Co-publishers Col. Robert R. McCormick and Joseph Patterson set out to create when they announced an international design competition for the paper’s new Michigan Avenue home on June 10, 1922, which was the newspaper’s 75th anniversary. The winning design by New York architects John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood drew heavily on the architecture of the past . But what does the tower’s Gothic architecture and symbolism really mean? On this Open House Chicago weekend, and as the tower itself is listed for sale , we take a closer look . Click on the dots below to learn more:

Aesop’s Screen

The tower’s main entrance shelters a monumental stone display that showcases carved stone characters from Aesop’s fables. Each of the carvings carries a special meaning.

Extends 40 feet up; flag is roughly the size of a one-car garage.

The tower has displayed historic flags around the building including the Iwo Jima flag seen here on June 27, 1952, in Nathan Hale Court, as well as flags of other states and nations.

Eight-sided, almost round top lit by 22 lamps at night.

‘(Howells) has let the blue sky into the embattled crown of his building.’ – Tribune, Dec. 3, 1922

Flying buttresses

Visually and structurally link the crown with the rest of the tower.

‘ … the theme of the eight flying buttresses and their sustaining piers is carried without interruption and without confusion from the ground to the summit.’ – Tribune, Dec. 3, 1922

Classic gothic features

Winning design by architects John Mead Howells and Raymond M. Hood was retro for its day.

The tower’s winning design was influenced by towers attached to Gothic cathedrals: Tour de Beurre at the Rouen Cathedral in northwestern France (left photo) and St. Rumbold’s Cathedral in Mechelen, Belgium (right photo). This architectural style de-emphasizes horizontal lines and accentuates the vertical, creating the illusion that the building soars higher than its 36 stories.

Wrap-around deck

Open to the public as an observatory until the 1950s, this now is an event space. Wall inscriptions include the Gettysburg Address, and poems ‘The Tribune Tower’by Shafto Dene and ‘A Hymn for Navy Day’by former Tribune writer Delos Avery . Bats are carved into the buttresses.

Executive offices

Only floor with arched windows.

Former offices of legendary publisher Robert R. McCormick and other newspaper staff. Now serve as conference rooms.

Patriotic panels

Include an eagle, a five-pointed star and symbols of the Roman military.

The tower features fine materials including these panels beneath each window, which are made of lead. They contribute to the building’s ‘military Gothic’theme. Co-publishers McCormick and Joseph M. Patteron returned to Chicago from the World War I battlefields of Europe. Now they were fighting corruption – through journalism – on their own turf.

Rounded corners

Unlike other buildings, the tower’s corners are sliced on a diagonal – not squared off.

‘The Tower tapers gracefully, especially in its upper reaches, rather than resembling a set of boxes piled up on one another, as many skyscarapers of its era did.’ – Blair Kamin, ‘Tribune Tower: American Landmark’

Strange animal sculptures hovering from above the fourth-floor windows.

These medieval-inspired figures include (from left to right): a rabbit, monkey (symbolizes folly), porcupine with horn (symbolizes intolerance and arrogance) and rat with a musket (symbolizes cruelty and maliciousness).

Fleur-de-lis

Decorative symbol for a lily.

Continuing the ‘military Gothic’theme of the building, these symbols honor American valor on the battlefields of France during World War I.

More grotesques

Protrude from beneath the fourth-floor windows as part of a corbel, a block of stone projecting diagonally from the wall.

The Chicago Tribune newsroom is located on the fourth floor of the tower, so these creatures wittily express journalism ideals: elephant (symbolizes scandal), ape (symbolizes a busybody), owl (personifies observation and caution) and frog (symbolizes alertness).

Art that teaches a lesson

Grotesques – strange, whimsical characters – meant to express the ideals of journalism.

This pair, a whispering man (left photo) and a shouting man (right photo), symbolize the difference between rumor and news.

Main entrance

Neo-Gothic arched portal.

This dramatic doorway features an intricate carved stone piece named Aesop’s Screen, a keystone made of gray and pink granite and a carved quotation from poet John Milton.

Features characters from the classic fables

The arched entrance houses carved stone figures, which are visible from outside and inside the main lobby. Here is a detailed explanation to help identify them.

WGN radio studio

Three large windows just south of the main entrance.

The studio and control room have been home to several tenants, including Kohler , Fannie May Candies in 1925 and then Andes Mints in 1950. The diagonal window was formerly a revolving door entrance to the tower.

Nathan Hale Court

Located just north of Tribune Tower.

Features a bronze statue of Nathan Hale, a Revolutionary War hero. Dedicated in 1940, the statue is cast from the same mold used to create another Hale statue, which stands in front of a building at Yale University where Hale lived while a student.

Embedded stones

At least 150 artifacts found in the first-floor exterior walls of Tribune’s buildings. Click here to learn more about each wall artifact.

‘Far from being a mere curiosity, however, these bits and pieces of history speak volumes about the oversized aspirations of Tribune Tower’s creators: to make their fledgling skyscraper one of the world’s great monuments.’ – Blair Kamin, ‘Tribune Tower: American Landmark’

Tribune bosses

Figures commemorate Chicago Tribune co-publishers and co-editors, Col. Robert R. McCormick and Capt. Joseph M. Patterson.

The Howling Dog and Robin Hood

Humorous characterizations of tower architects Howells and Hood.

Mythical ruler of gods and men, whose most effective weapons were thunderbolts – and whose favorite bird was the eagle.

The Raven and the Serpent

A hungry raven decided to eat a snake, which he had discovered lying asleep. On being seized in the bird’s beak, however, the snake bit the raven with his poisonous fangs. ‘I am justly served,’gasped the dying raven, ‘for trying to profit by injuring others.’

The Peacock

A peacock, strutting around, spread his gorgeous tail and, boasting of his beauty, ridiculed the somber colors of the crane. ‘Tell me,’said the crane, ‘is it better to strut about in the mud as you do, or to soar above the clouds as I do?’ Lifting his wings he tried to rise from the ground. But the weight of his magnificent train held him down. Moral: Do not sacrifice your freedom for the sake of pomp and show. Read the fable.

The Partridge and the Cocks

A partridge was captured by a man, who clipped his wings and put him in a pen with some gamecocks. The cocks were not civil to the partridge, who thought they were cruel because he was a stranger. Later, he saw them fighting each other and understood why they acted as they did.

Remembering the humorous nickname given the French by American soldiers in World War I, a frog has been carved into the screen to represent J.A. Fouilhoux, an associate of tower architects Howells and Hood.

A warning against idle talk, senseless repetition and servile imitation.

The Cat and the Fox

A fox, who boasted of a hundred ways of escaping his enemies, was caught by the hounds, while the cat, who preferred one safe way, sat unharmed in the tree. Read the fable.

The Porcupine and the Snakes

A porcupine begged to be sheltered in the cave of some snakes, who readily admitted him. His sharp quills so annoyed them, however, that they soon regretted their unthinking hospitality and asked him to leave. ‘I am quite satisfied where I am,’said the porcupine, ‘but you may leave, if you wish.’ Read the fable.

Symbol of wisdom.

The Bear and the Beehive

A bear, searching for honey, attacked a beehive and was promptly stung. He who wantonly hurts others places himself in a position to be hurt by others. Read the fable.

The Eagle and the Fox

One day an eagle carried off the cub of his good friend and neighbor, the fox. On discovering his loss, the fox scolded the eagle and begged him to return his loved one. The eagle, thinking himself secure up in the tree, refused. Then the fox built a fire under the tree and the eagle, fearing for the safety of his own offspring, returned the cub to the fox.

The Fox and the Crow

A hungry crow, enjoying a piece of cheese on a tree branch, was flattered by a wily fox into singing a song. At the first note, however, the cheese fell to the ground and was promptly devoured by the fox. Read the fable.

The Wolf, the Fox and the Ape

A wolf accused a fox of stealing, but the fox denied the charge, The case was tried before an ape, who after hearing all the evidence said: ‘I do not think you, Wolf, ever lost what you claim; and I do believe you, Fox, to have stolen what you so stoutly deny.’

The Crow and the Pitcher

A crow, whose throat was parched from thirst, came upon a pitcher with a little water in the bottom. He tried desperately to reach the water, but, failing each time, was about to give up in despair when an idea occurred to him. Slowly, one by one, he dropped pebbles into the pitcher until they forced the water up to where he could drink. Read the fable.

The Fox and the Grapes

A hungry fox happens upon some grapes, hanging low on a tree. He tries and tries to jump and grab the grapes, but his attempts prove fruitless. Frustrated, the fox leaves, telling himself that the grapes probably are sour and not at all tasty. Read the fable.

The Boar and the Fox

A fox chanced one day upon a boar carefully sharpening his tusks against a tree. ‘Why,’he asked, ‘do you prepare for battle when there are no enemies in sight?’ ‘Because,’replied the boar, ‘when enemies are in sight, I may not have time to sharpen my tusks.’ Read the fable.

The Wolf and the Crane

A wolf, in whose throat a bone had stuck, promised anything to him who would remove it. A crane offered to help and at last succeeded in dislodging the bone. But when he claimed his reward, the wolf replied with a growl, ‘Be content – you have put your head into a wolf’s mouth and taken it out again. That is enough reward.’ Read the fable.

Sources: ‘Tribune Tower: American Landmark’ by Blair Kamin , and Tribune archives and reporting

@ChiTribGraphics

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“dogandrobin”:{ “id”:”dogandrobin”, “label”:”The Howling Dog and Robin Hood”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”Humorous characterizations of tower architects Howells and Hood.”, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/howlingdogrobinhood.jpg”, “top_position”:”25″, “top_or_bottom”:”top”, “offset”:”0″, },

“zeus”:{ “id”:”zeus”, “label”:”Zeus”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”Mythical ruler of gods and men, whose most effective weapons were thunderbolts – and whose favorite bird was the eagle.”, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/zeus.jpg”, “top_position”:”28″, “top_or_bottom”:”top”, “offset”:”0″, },

“raven”:{ “id”:”raven”, “label”:”The Raven and the Serpent”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A hungry raven decided to eat a snake, which he had discovered lying asleep. On being seized in the bird’s beak, however, the snake bit the raven with his poisonous fangs. ‘I am justly served,’gasped the dying raven, ‘for trying to profit by injuring others.'”, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/ravenserpent.jpg”, “top_position”:”28″, “top_or_bottom”:”top”, “offset”:”0″, },

“cockcrane”:{ “id”:”cockcrane”, “label”:”The Peacock”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A peacock, strutting around, spread his gorgeous tail and, boasting of his beauty, ridiculed the somber colors of the crane. ‘Tell me,’said the crane, ‘is it better to strut about in the mud as you do, or to soar above the clouds as I do?’ Lifting his wings he tried to rise from the ground. But the weight of his magnificent train held him down. Moral: Do not sacrifice your freedom for the sake of pomp and show. Read the fable. “, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/peacockcrane.jpg”, “top_position”:”30″, “top_or_bottom”:”top”, “offset”:”0″, },

“partridgecock”:{ “id”:”partridgecock”, “label”:”The Partridge and the Cocks”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A partridge was captured by a man, who clipped his wings and put him in a pen with some gamecocks. The cocks were not civil to the partridge, who thought they were cruel because he was a stranger. Later, he saw them fighting each other and understood why they acted as they did.”, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/cockpartridge.jpg”, “top_position”:”31″, “top_or_bottom”:”top”, “offset”:”0″, },

“frog”:{ “id”:”frog”, “label”:”The Frog”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”Remembering the humorous nickname given the French by American soldiers in World War I, a frog has been carved into the screen to represent J.A. Fouilhoux, an associate of tower architects Howells and Hood.”, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/frog.jpg”, “top_position”:”32″, “top_or_bottom”:”top”, “offset”:”0″, },

“parrot”:{ “id”:”parrot”, “label”:”The Parrot”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A warning against idle talk, senseless repetition and servile imitation.”, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/parrot.jpg”, “top_position”:”41″, “top_or_bottom”:”top”, “offset”:”0″, },

“catfox”:{ “id”:”catfox”, “label”:”The Cat and the Fox”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A fox, who boasted of a hundred ways of escaping his enemies, was caught by the hounds, while the cat, who preferred one safe way, sat unharmed in the tree. Read the fable. “, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/catandfox.jpg”, “top_position”:”41″, “top_or_bottom”:”top”, “offset”:”0″, },

“porcupine”:{ “id”:”porcupine”, “label”:”The Porcupine and the Snakes”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A porcupine begged to be sheltered in the cave of some snakes, who readily admitted him. His sharp quills so annoyed them, however, that they soon regretted their unthinking hospitality and asked him to leave. ‘I am quite satisfied where I am,’said the porcupine, ‘but you may leave, if you wish.’ Read the fable. “, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/porcupinesnake.jpg”, “top_position”:”41″, “top_or_bottom”:”top”, “offset”:”0″, },

“owl”:{ “id”:”owl”, “label”:”The Owl”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”Symbol of wisdom.”, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/owl.jpg”, “top_position”:”41″, “top_or_bottom”:”top”, “offset”:”0″, },

“bearbeehive”:{ “id”:”bearbeehive”, “label”:”The Bear and the Beehive”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A bear, searching for honey, attacked a beehive and was promptly stung. He who wantonly hurts others places himself in a position to be hurt by others. Read the fable. “, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/bearbeehive.jpg”, “top_position”:”3″, “top_or_bottom”:”bottom”, “offset”:”0″, },

“eaglefox”:{ “id”:”eaglefox”, “label”:”The Eagle and the Fox”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”One day an eagle carried off the cub of his good friend and neighbor, the fox. On discovering his loss, the fox scolded the eagle and begged him to return his loved one. The eagle, thinking himself secure up in the tree, refused. Then the fox built a fire under the tree and the eagle, fearing for the safety of his own offspring, returned the cub to the fox.”, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/eagleandfox.jpg”, “top_position”:”3″, “top_or_bottom”:”bottom”, “offset”:”0″, },

“foxcrow”:{ “id”:”foxcrow”, “label”:”The Fox and the Crow”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A hungry crow, enjoying a piece of cheese on a tree branch, was flattered by a wily fox into singing a song. At the first note, however, the cheese fell to the ground and was promptly devoured by the fox. Read the fable. “, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/foxcrow.jpg”, “top_position”:”3″, “top_or_bottom”:”bottom”, “offset”:”0″, },

“ape”:{ “id”:”ape”, “label”:”The Wolf, the Fox and the Ape”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A wolf accused a fox of stealing, but the fox denied the charge, The case was tried before an ape, who after hearing all the evidence said: ‘I do not think you, Wolf, ever lost what you claim; and I do believe you, Fox, to have stolen what you so stoutly deny.'”, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/wolffoxape.jpg”, “top_position”:”3″, “top_or_bottom”:”bottom”, “offset”:”0″, },

“crowpitcher”:{ “id”:”crowpitcher”, “label”:”The Crow and the Pitcher”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A crow, whose throat was parched from thirst, came upon a pitcher with a little water in the bottom. He tried desperately to reach the water, but, failing each time, was about to give up in despair when an idea occurred to him. Slowly, one by one, he dropped pebbles into the pitcher until they forced the water up to where he could drink. Read the fable. “, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/crowpitcher.jpg”, “top_position”:”3″, “top_or_bottom”:”bottom”, “offset”:”0″, },

“foxgrapes”:{ “id”:”foxgrapes”, “label”:”The Fox and the Grapes”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A hungry fox happens upon some grapes, hanging low on a tree. He tries and tries to jump and grab the grapes, but his attempts prove fruitless. Frustrated, the fox leaves, telling himself that the grapes probably are sour and not at all tasty. Read the fable. “, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/foxgrapes.jpg”, “top_position”:”3″, “top_or_bottom”:”bottom”, “offset”:”0″, },

“boarfox”:{ “id”:”boarfox”, “label”:”The Boar and the Fox”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A fox chanced one day upon a boar carefully sharpening his tusks against a tree. ‘Why,’he asked, ‘do you prepare for battle when there are no enemies in sight?’ ‘Because,’replied the boar, ‘when enemies are in sight, I may not have time to sharpen my tusks.’ Read the fable. “, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/boarfox.jpg”, “top_position”:”3″, “top_or_bottom”:”bottom”, “offset”:”0″, },

“wolfcrane”:{ “id”:”wolfcrane”, “label”:”The Wolf and the Crane”, “short_desc”:””, “chatter”:”A wolf, in whose throat a bone had stuck, promised anything to him who would remove it. A crane offered to help and at last succeeded in dislodging the bone. But when he claimed his reward, the wolf replied with a growl, ‘Be content – you have put your head into a wolf’s mouth and taken it out again. That is enough reward.’ Read the fable. “, “image”:”http://graphics.chicagotribune.com/tribune-tower-features/img/fables/wolfcrane.jpg”, “top_position”:”3″, “top_or_bottom”:”bottom”, “offset”:”0″, },

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TRIBUNE TOWER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Gothic Revival

In 1922, on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, the Chicago Tribune announced an international competition for a new downtown headquarters.

The competition sought, "...for Chicago, the most beautiful building in the world." A total of $100,000 in prize money was offered with a $50,000 prize for the winner. More than 260 entries from 23 countries, and a place in history as one of the largest, and most important architectural competitions in America—this is the legacy of the Tribune Tower.  

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American versus European Design

Although 23 countries were represented in the competition, most design entries came from the U.S. and Europe. Most American entries understood the profitability of the site and maximized the amount of rentable office space in their designs. Some European entries, however, sacrificed business practicality for a more monumental form. Austrian architect Adolf Loos proposed a giant Doric column, which may have been a pun on the columns printed in the newspaper. Italian architect Saverio Dioguardi proposed a large classical arch resembling the Arch De Triomphe in Paris. However, the winning entry—designed by New York architects  Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells —filled the permitted occupiable building envelope with floor after floor of office space.  

A Cathedral for Journalism

Hood and Howells’ winning  Gothic Revival tower used architectural ideas borrowed from the past. The lower office block is sheathed in Indiana  limestone with vertical  piers and horizontal  spandrels characteristic of Art Deco . The building's crown recalls a Medieval European tower, imitating the Butter Tower of the 13th-century Rouen Cathedral in France. Inside, visitors encounter a Hall of Inscriptions. Carved into the lobby walls are famous quotations from Benjamin Franklin, Voltaire, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, praising and exalting freedom of the press. While some critics had hoped the winning design would point toward the future of American architecture, Hood and Howells' design appealed to the newspaper owners' sense of nostalgia, history and moral purpose.

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The Iconic Tribune Tower: A Landmark of Chicago’s Skyline

Chicago , the bustling metropolis known for its stunning architecture, is home to numerous iconic landmarks. Among these is the Tribune Tower, a neo-Gothic skyscraper that has stood tall on Michigan Avenue for nearly a century. This article delves into the rich history, captivating design, and cultural significance of the Tribune Tower, showcasing why it continues to be a cherished symbol of the city.

The Birth of an Architectural Marvel

In 1922, on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, the Chicago Tribune announced an international competition for the design of its new headquarters. Architects from 23 countries enthusiastically participated, submitting over 260 entries in the hope of creating what the Tribune owners called “the most beautiful building in the world.” The winning design, chosen from this prestigious competition, would eventually become the awe-inspiring Tribune Tower.

A Global Competition

The Tribune Tower competition attracted entries from both American and European architects, each bringing their unique perspectives and design philosophies. While American architects prioritized practicality and rentable office space, some European entries aimed for a more monumental form. Among the notable proposals were a giant Doric column by Austrian architect Adolf Loos, reminiscent of the columns printed in the newspaper, and a grand classical arch resembling the Arch De Triomphe in Paris by Italian architect Saverio Dioguardi. However, it was the design submitted by New York architects Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells that ultimately claimed victory.

Gothic Revival: A Cathedral of Journalism

Hood and Howells’ winning design embraced the Gothic Revival style, drawing inspiration from architectural elements of the past. The lower office block, adorned with vertical piers and horizontal spandrels characteristic of Art Deco, showcased the use of Indiana limestone. The crown of the tower, reminiscent of the Butter Tower of the Rouen Cathedral in France, added a touch of medieval European grandeur. As visitors step inside, they are greeted by the Hall of Inscriptions, where famous quotations from Benjamin Franklin, Voltaire, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison celebrate the freedom of the press. While some critics hoped for a design that would push the boundaries of American architecture, Hood and Howells’ nostalgic and historic approach resonated with the newspaper owners’ vision.

A Tower with a Story: Historical Fragments

What sets the Tribune Tower apart from other architectural marvels is its collection of historical fragments integrated into the building’s structure. Prior to the tower’s construction, correspondents for the Chicago Tribune were sent around the world to collect rocks and bricks from significant sites. These fragments, labeled with their origin, were incorporated into the lower levels of the building. Visitors can find stones from places like St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Taj Mahal, Hagia Sophia, and even a piece of the Berlin Wall. Each fragment serves as a tangible reminder of the Tribune’s global reach and the city’s connection to the wider world.

Influence and Legacy

The Tribune Tower’s distinctive design and architectural influence have left an indelible mark on the world. Several buildings around the globe pay homage to its grandeur, including the spires of the Grace Building in Sydney and the Manchester Unity Building in Melbourne. Even the architects of One Atlantic Center in Atlanta drew inspiration from the Tribune Tower, evident in the building’s shaft and base. The Tribune Tower has become a symbol of excellence in architecture, inspiring generations of architects to push the boundaries of design.

The Tribune Tower’s Evolving Role

Over the years, the Tribune Tower has undergone various transformations to adapt to changing times. In 2006, the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum opened its doors within the tower, promoting the values of free press and expression. The Tribune Tower has also been an active participant in the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Open House Chicago, allowing visitors to explore its interior and appreciate its architectural splendor. Most recently, the tower has embarked on a new chapter as CIM and Golub acquired it for redevelopment into luxury residences. The Reimagined Tribune Tower promises to blend modern living with the rich historical legacy of the building.

Pop Culture Significance

Beyond its architectural and historical significance, the Tribune Tower has also made appearances in popular culture. In episodes of the television series “CSI: NY,” the tower’s historical pieces played a central role in the storyline. Conan O’Brien was famously seen running past the tower during his inaugural episode as host of “The Tonight Show.” The tower even found its way into the Transformers movie franchise, with snipers shooting from its upper floors.

Preservation and Appreciation

As a Chicago landmark and a contributing property to the Michigan-Wacker Historic District, the Tribune Tower holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Its enduring presence on the city’s skyline serves as a reminder of the rich history and architectural legacy of Chicago. Efforts to preserve and appreciate this iconic structure ensure that future generations will continue to admire its beauty and significance.

The Tribune Tower stands tall as a testament to the power of architectural excellence and historical preservation. Its neo-Gothic design, rich with symbolism and fragments from around the world, captures the imagination and resonates with the spirit of Chicago. As the city continues to evolve, the Tribune Tower remains an enduring landmark that pays homage to the past while embracing the future.

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Steeped in history stretching back to the early 1900’s, Tribune Tower Residences flawlessly mixes a heritage of majestic architecture with contemporary luxury to suit the tastes of today.

A Worldly Competition, A Storied Beginning

In 1922, the Chicago Tribune co-publishers Col. Robert R. McCormick and Capt. Joseph M Patterson announced an international competition for the design of Tribune Tower. The winning entry was designed by New York architects John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood, who were selected from among more than 260 entries representing 23 countries. Nearly a century later, the soaring vertical lines, flying buttresses and rich embellishments on Tribune Tower remain undiminished in their power to draw the eye and inspire the imagination.

Tribune acquired the initial block known as Tribune Square. Construction began on the printing plant on the southeast corner of the block.

Printing and composing operations shifted to the new plant.

International Competition for the design of Tribune Tower announced.

Completion of Tribune Tower.

Construction began on the 4-story WGN building at the northwest corner of the block.

WGN & Nathan Hale entry completed.

Construction began on the 8-story addition to the WGN building at the northeast corner of the block.

Chicago Tribune sign installed on the plant building.

Pioneer Court Constructed.

CIM & Golub acquired Tribune Tower and began the redevelopment of the buildings into luxury residences.

Tribune Tower Residences sales gallery opens.

Residents begin moving into the Reimagined Tribune Tower.

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• Location: Chicago Illinois Regional Essays: Illinois Cook County Architect: Raymond M. Hood John Mead Howells Eliel Saarinen Dwight Wallace Bertell Grenman Walter Gropius Adolf Meyer Bruno Taut Adolf Loos Ludwig Karl Hilberseimer Raymond M. Hood John Mead Howells René Paul Chambellan Jarvis Hunt Raymond M. Hood John Mead Howells Types: office buildings retail stores printing plants Styles: Gothic Revival Materials: Indiana limestone reinforced concrete

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Elizabeth A. Milnarik, " Tribune Tower ", [ Chicago , Illinois ], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/IL-01-031-0089 . Last accessed: May 20, 2024.

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A dynamic presence on the skyline of North Michigan Avenue, just north of the Chicago River, the Gothic Revival Tribune Tower sits at one of the most architecturally significant intersections in Chicago, one of four dramatic skyscrapers in the immediate vicinity—the Wrigley Building (1924, Graham, Anderson, Probst and White), the London Guarantee Building (1923, Alfred Altschuler) and 333 North Michigan Avenue (1928, Holabird and Root).

On June 9, 1922, at the closing banquet of the American Institute of Architect’s convention, Colonel Robert McCormick and his cousin Joseph Medill Patterson, owners of the Chicago Tribune , announced they would commemorate the 75th anniversary of their newspaper with a competition to design a tall office building adjacent to their new printing plant (1919, Jarvis Hunt) on Michigan Avenue. The Michigan Avenue Bridge, completed in 1920, had opened the area north of the river for commercial development and the Wrigley Company was currently constructing its grand headquarters on the west side of the street, auguring a dense commercial corridor along North Michigan Avenue. In fierce competition with William Randolph Hearst’s Herald and Examiner , the Tribune publicized the competition to increase popular interest and paper sales, spending the next six months educating readers about the great works of architecture they hoped would serve as inspiration for their new building. The competition entries captured the contemporary conversation between Beaux-Arts revivalism and new regional and international visions of architecture.

In both the United States and Europe, the tall office building was of great professional interest. A generation earlier, architect Louis Sullivan had offered a satisfying variation on the base-shaft-cap composition in works like the Auditorium Building (1889), but younger architects were interested in developing their own approaches to the type. The Tribune competition was a welcome opportunity. The competition was open, though McCormick and Patterson also paid ten prominent American firms to participate, and the newspaper promised unusually generous awards for the winner, second, and third place. Ultimately, 263 entries arrived from 23 countries, primarily from North America and Europe. Most submissions referenced historic European precedents, with the inherent verticality of the Gothic Revival making it the most popular style among the entries. Other architects, especially entrants from Germany, offered designs that omitted all historical reference; and a few designed explicitly Chicago School buildings, adding regionalism to the competition mix. The selection committee, composed of McCormick, Patterson, several long-serving Tribune staff members, and architect Alfred Granger, selected as the winning scheme a Gothic Revival design by invited entrant Raymond Hood and his design partner John Mead Howells. Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen and his Chicago-based partners Dwight G. Wallace and Bertell Grenman took second place; while Holabird and Roche’s Gothic Revival entry received third place.

Hood and Howell’s design rises thirty-six stories, defined by slender colonnettes and culminating in a dramatic ring of flying buttresses arrayed around a crown-shaped top modeled after the Rouen Cathedral’s Tour de Beurre in France. To heighten the drama, the ornamental crown is floodlit at night. The steel structure is fireproofed with concrete and clad in Indiana limestone. Wide piers rise from the ground level to the buttresses, drawing the eye upward without interruption; the corner piers are rounded. A wrap-around promenade at the twenty-fifth floor gives visitors a dramatic view upward at the five-story-tall flying buttresses that crown the tower.

Sculptor René Paul Chambellan dressed the tower with medieval imagery, including fleurs-de-lis, gargoyles, and finials. Grotesques sit beneath the windows on the fourth floor where the newsroom is located, and above the main entrance is a monumental stone carving depicting characters from Aesop’s fables. The sculptural program depicts vices and virtues and other symbolic imagery. The entrance to the building is known as the Hall of Inscriptions, and features quotations on freedom of speech and freedom of the press. On the lowest levels of the building are rocks and bricks collected by Tribune reporters from historically important sites all over the world.

In an effort to garner further interest and publicity in the building (and the newspaper), the Tribune published many of the entries and also put them on display in Chicago. Eventually, it developed a traveling exhibit of the entries deemed most successful. Many architects, including Louis Sullivan and Thomas Tallmadge, recognized Eliel Saarinen’s second place entry as a particularly distinguished effort, evoking the vertical spirit of the Gothic without literally referencing precedents, and viewed Hood and Howell’s selection as the disappointing victory of convention over innovation. The Tribune Tower competition also expressed the state of architecture in Europe in the early 1920s, when the trauma of World War I had led some architects to reject revivalism and to strip their buildings of historical decoration, finding meaning and beauty in pure form. However fertile this “New Objectivity,” few avant garde architects in Europe had the opportunity to translate their ideas into built form given the economic realities and devastation of the postwar period. As a result, any young designers, especially in Germany, welcomed the Tribune competition, including Walter Gropius, Bruno Taut, Adolf Loos, and Ludwig Hilberseimer—men who would dominate the architectural profession after World War II. Their competition entries provide a clear view into the thinking of the individuals and artistic movements at that critical moment. The well-publicized entries have served as a reference point in history, a moment that presented multiple design possibilities and foretold a coming architectural revolution.

The Tribune Tower was listed as a Chicago landmark in 1989 and restored in the 1990s. In 2016, the Tribune Tower sold to the Los Angeles-based developer CIM Group, which plans to transform the tower and its adjacent buildings into a mixed-use redevelopment. The departure of the Tribune media offices marks an end of an era, but the Tribune Tower competition remains a key episode in twentieth century architecture. A sign of its significance occurred as recently as 2017 at the Chicago Architecture Biennial, when architects and design studios from around the world produced large-scale models interpreting the Tribune Tower competition for a new century.

Solomonson, Katherine. The Chicago Tribune Tower Competition: Skyscraper Design

and Cultural Change in the 1920s. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001.

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• Location: Chicago, Illinois Regional Overviews: Cook County Architect: Raymond M. Hood Types: office buildings retail stores printing plants Styles: Gothic Revival Materials: Indiana limestone reinforced concrete

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How Chicago’s Tribune Tower Competition Changed Architecture Forever

• Written by Leo Shaw
• Published on October 03, 2017

This article was originally published on the blog of the Chicago Architecture Biennial , the largest platform for contemporary architecture in North America. The 2017 Biennial, entitled Make New History , will be free and open to the public between September 16, 2017 and January 6, 2018.

The Tribune Tower has stood at the heart of Chicago ’s cultural heritage for almost a hundred years. Like the spire of a secular cathedral, it still symbolizes the rise of the “city of big shoulders” and its defining role in the American Century. But the building is more than a Chicago icon. The story of its origin has proved to be one of the most enduringly influential narratives in 20th Century architecture, key to understanding the skylines of cities all over the world.

A groundbreaking skyscraper was the highest ambition of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the powerful publisher of the Chicago Tribune and a man who dominated local politics before the First World War. Hoping to project an aura of international prestige for his burgeoning media empire, the competition brief he compiled asked architects to create “the most beautiful office building in the world.”

More than 260 architects from 23 countries responded with designs in a dizzying range of styles. Some entries stretched the office tower’s vertical structure into extended Gothic arches with delicate tracery, while others segmented the facade into Neoclassical orders with stepped porticoes and colonnaded temples for crowns. Forward-thinking architects submitted sleeker designs modeled on factory architecture, Chicago ’s existing masterpieces, or the angular ornamental motifs that would later be known as Art Deco. Some reduced the building to a single symbol; an arch, an obelisk, a giant Native American figure, or even an enormous billboard spelling out the headlines of the day.

The winners, Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells , proposed the Gothic tower that now graces the corner of Michigan Avenue north of the Chicago River. Their design balanced the vertical spirit of US commerce with Gothic flourishes from French tradition – including a dramatically buttressed crown borrowed from the 13th Century Cathedral in Rouen.

While major international competitions may be a familiar sight in the architectural sphere today, the Tribune Tower competition was unique for its global influence on the future of the field. Audiences could compare and evaluate starkly contrasting ideas from the world’s foremost architects at a glance; the results—published widely—produced a ripple effect which influenced different schools of thought competing to define the look of the “Modern Age”.

Not only did echoes of the design of the winning skyscraper appear throughout the pre-war period, but several other entries resonated with later generations. Eliel Saarinen ’s design, a runner up, heavily influenced several North American skyscrapers built as late as the 1990s. A tongue-in-cheek proposal by Austrian architect Adolf Loos to turn the building into an enormous Doric column, playing on the “columns” that compose a newspaper, went on to inspire Postmodernist architects with its readymade look and its playful engagement with language.

Architects have remained so obsessed with the ideas of the unbuilt Tribune Towers that reimagining the competition has become something of a tradition in its own right. In 1980, the Chicago architect and Postmodern provocateur Stanley Tigerman organized a winking do-over of the original contest. In a volume called Late Entries to the Chicago Tribune Tower Competition, he published the original designs alongside new drawings by the likes of Frank Gehry, Alison and Peter Smithson, Bernard Tschumi, and Tadao Ando.

Some of these designs drew directly on the older source material, like Arquitectonica’s red, white and blue obelisk. Others riffed on the metaphors encoded in the statues, temples, signs and columns that topped earlier designs, replacing them with baby bottles, globes, trees, White Sox uniforms, and giant newspaper pages.

The book even featured a number of architects who would go on to shape the Chicago skyline in vastly different ways: Helmut Jahn, the designer of the Thompson Center, submitted a geometric tower that floated impossibly above the original building. Tod Williams and Billie Tsien contributed a craggy volume perched atop four enormous boulders – prefiguring their monolithic designs for the Logan Center at the University of Chicago (completed in 2012) and the forthcoming Obama Library and Presidential Center.

The “late entries” may have been offbeat, but Tigerman’s goal was to take the temperature of the architecture field during a moment of radical change. Just as Gothic ornament and Bauhaus modernism brushed cheeks during the 1922 competition, these represented a cross-section of contrasting ideas from some of the most radical thinkers of the late 20th Century.

Some of the more opinionated entries came from thinkers whose drawings would motivate new generations of architects to think in new ways about history, tradition, and form. Others would go on to design real skyscrapers that imprinted the visions developed in the contest on the skylines of US cities.

Argentinian-American architect César Pelli, who would become one of the world’s most prolific skyscraper designers, incorporated Postmodern rooflines and decorative elements into buildings like Cleveland’s Key Tower and the Carnegie Hall Tower in New York, but he also built several skyscrapers with the classic step-backs and rectangular proportions of Saarinen’s snubbed design – like the Wells Fargo Center in Minneapolis (1988) and the Bank of America Corporate Center in Charlotte (1992), as well as Chicago ’s 180 W. Madison Street (1990).

The 2017 Biennial in Chicago , entitled Make New History , follows in Stanley Tigerman ’s footsteps by introducing a new generation of Tribune Towers that explore the competition’s complicated afterlife and connect the groundbreaking dreams of the past with the most pressing issues of today. Artistic Directors Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee have asked emerging practices from around the world to turn one of the Chicago Cultural Center’s grandest spaces into the “Vertical City” display: a lofty grid of imaginative towers representing a new generation of “late entries.”

Two rejected designs from 1922 serve as contrasting points of departure. One is Loos’ Doric column, which proved a touchstone for Postmodernists who looked to both metaphor and historical motifs for inspiration. The other is a never-submitted Modernist design by Ludwig Hilbersheimer, which only exists in the form of one perspective drawing – opening up questions about how architects reinterpret visions from the past in the absence of documentation.

The new towers are created by an international group of young architects: 6A Architects, Barbas Lopes, Christ & Gantenbein, Ensamble Studio, Eric Lapierre, Barozzi Veiga, Go Hasegawa, Kéré Architecture, Kuehn Malvezzi, MOS, OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen, PRODUCTORA, Sam Jacob Studio, Sergison Bates, Serie Architects, and Tatiana Bilbao.

Some designs take stylistic pastiche to new heights, while others question what Loos’ column would look like with different references and different materials. Many rethink what a skyscraper can do to accommodate new types of work and play in the twenty-first century, from the sharing economy to alternative ownership models. Digital collage, new forms of physical craft, adaptive reuse, historical anecdotes, innovative building technologies, and cultural critique are all vividly on display.

Taken together, the new models comment on the ways that ideas in architecture circulate between past and present as much as between architects themselves – and how exhibitions take on lives of their own as they make history for centuries to come.

Leo Shaw is a strategist at Consortia. The 2017 Chicago Architecture Biennial blog is edited in partnership with Consortia , a creative office developing new frameworks for communication who are editing the Biennial blog . This article also features embedded content from Are.na , an online platform for connecting ideas and building knowledge .

In "Vertical City," 16 Contemporary Architects Reinterpret the Tribune Tower at 2017 Chicago Architecture Biennial In a large-scale, central installation at the 2017 Chicago Architecture Biennial, the likes of 6a architects, Barozzi Veiga, Kéré Architecture, MOS, OFFICE KGDVS, and Sergison Bates-among others-have designed and constructed sixteen five meter-tall contemporary iterations of the renowned 1922 Chicago Tribune Tower design contest. + 56 Located in the Sidney R.

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Doors open minneapolis offers rare peek inside more than 100 buildings.

Doors Open Minneapolis offers the keys to buildings — or spaces within buildings — that are often closed to the public. Think behind the scenes, backstage, below ground.

Sure, you can buy a ticket to a concert at the Cedar Cultural Center. But during Doors Open , you can also check out the venue's green room, where the artists hang.

Last year's free event, the first since 2019, brought 14,000 people to 87 locations across the city. This year's event is even bigger, with 105 venues.

It's run by Rethos, formerly the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. That organization "used to focus a lot on buildings," said Kelly Fischer, heritage tourism manager. "And of course, it still does. But ultimately, the field of historic preservation has started to gear more towards the stories of people that inhabit those buildings.

"Because the buildings have a lot less meaning when they're not attached to story and culture and history."

Half of the event's venues are historic. There are plenty of old churches, theaters and homes. But many of those historic spaces are hubs of activity. The Star Tribune's printing press was "a huge hit last year," Fischer said. Last year, it was open only on Saturday and "got absolutely slammed." So this year, it will be open both days.

Some tours require tickets, but all venues are free. Buses and light-rail are free, too, and there are 10 free parking ramps and lots, mostly downtown. The event runs Saturday and Sunday, but not all venues are open both days. More information can be found at www.doorsopenminneapolis.org .

Here are three ways to explore:

If you love planes, trains and automobiles:

Check out the Minneapolis Traffic Management Center , where experts use up-to-the-minute traffic surveillance and other tools to manage how cars move throughout the city. Stop by the Metro Transit Blue Line Operations and Maintenance Facility on Franklin Avenue, where tour guides will "teach you how the system runs and how we keep it in tip-top shape." Then go to the Lift Garage on E. Lake Street, an auto repair shop that offers low-income people low-cost car repair. There, technicians will explain tools and parts, putting cars on lifts to show kids and adults alike what they look like underneath.

If you want to explore Black history:

Start in North Minneapolis at the Capri Theater, one of this year's new venues, to see the stage where Prince performed his first solo show. Stop by the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder to "experience the rich history of this black press," via tours, photos and old papers. Then make your way to south Minneapolis to the historic Coliseum Building on E. Lake Street, another new venue. The 1917 building has long been a hub for Black businesses . Burned during the riots after the police murder of George Floyd, it just got a $28 million reconstruction. This tour offers a first look.

If you want to peek underground:

Sure, this event gives several chances to see the city from a tall perch. (The Foshay Tower's 30th-floor observation deck is a favorite.) But the event also offers a look below. The city of Minneapolis will be sending a camera down a sewer manhole on Nicollet Mall and setting up a closed-circuit television truck so that passersby can see the inside of the sewer system. Then, travel 82 feet beneath the Elmer L. Andersen Library to explore the Minnesota Library Access Center , a subterranean library of 1.5 million volumes. It's one cool cave.

Jenna Ross is an arts and culture reporter.

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Local News | Check out these hidden gems at the LA County…

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Local News | Check out these hidden gems at the LA County Fair before the gates close

From train cakes to roller skates, there’s something for every fair fan to enjoy before the gates close on the 2024 season for the final time on Memorial Day.

Children use the U.S. Forest Service lookout tower in America’s Great Outdoors at Fairplex in Pomona during the 2024 LA County Fair on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Mares, 12, of of Ontario

Tree Circus safety director Grayson Keating climbs a tree at The Hill at the Fairplex during the 2024 LA County Fair in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Children pose for a photograph with a display on The Hill during the 2024 LA County Fair at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

America’s Great Outdoors offers hidden gems at Fairplex in Pomona during the 2024 LA County Fair on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Mares, 12, of of Ontario

America’s Great Outdoors

With over 3 acres, America’s Great Outdoors on The Hill at the fairgrounds brings together several agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and Los Angeles County Fire Department, offering exhibits and activities for visitors of all ages.

Nature trails lead to attractions such as the simulated Tongva Village and the General Land Office, which offer glimpses into the past. Visitors can pan for gold near the entrance of America’s Great Outdoors, and visit with friendly burros and horses and learn how to adopt one from the BLM. The ranger’s office has a map with a scavenger hunt and visitors who collect all the location stamps can return to the office for a prize.

A lumberjack from Paul Bunyan LumberJack Show works on his log-rolling skills between shows during the 2024 LA County Fair at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Holly Mares, left, and daughter Daphne Mares, 12, cut a log with a saw in America’s Great Outdoors at Fairplex in Pomona during the 2024 LA County Fair on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Mares, 12, of of Ontario

Ann Berkley of U.S. Forest Service lets children pet Monty, a Mountain King Snake, in America’s Great Outdoors at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A U.S. Forest Service employee holds a Rosy Boa for children to pet as see in America’s Great Outdoors at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Magician Paul Cash performs with the help of an audience member during his show at the Magic Show Amphitheater in America’s Great Outdoors at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The daily Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show presents timberland skills including log rolling, axe chopping and more. The tree circus, located steps away from the lumberjack show, features tree climbing demonstrations and information.

Those who are brave enough can also meet new scaly friends at the Reptile House, where native snakes, lizards and even a tortoise on display.

The Flower and Garden Pavilion with the colorful “We Are LA” display during the 2024 LA Fair at Pomona Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Flower and Garden Pavilion with the colorful “We Are LA” display during the 2024 LA County Fair at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Flower and Garden Pavilion with the colorful “We Are LA” on display during the 2024 LA County Fair at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Flower and Garden Pavilion

Dazzling displays of all things floral are tucked away in the Flower and Garden Pavilion near The Hill. This year’s exhibit celebrates the multicultural beauty that makes up Los Angeles.

Garden Railroad Coordinator Rick Bremer, who has been a volunteer with the Fairplex model railroad at Fairplex in Pomona for 24 years, holds a 102-year old Pacific Electric trolly car which was used on the model railroad 100 years ago Tuesday April 30, 2024. The Garden Railroad celebrates it’s 100th year at Fairplex during this years LA County Fair. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Garden Railroad Coordinator Rick Bremer, who has been a volunteer with the Fairplex model railroad in Pomona for 24 years, shows off a new attraction within the railroad grounds of a steam spewing volcano Tuesday April 30, 2024. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the popular Garden Railroad. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Garden Railroad Coordinator Rick Bremer, who has been a volunteer with the Fairplex model railroad in Pomona for 24 years, adjusts a banner depicting the early years of the railroad which marks it’s 100th anniversary at this years LA County Fair. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

The Garden Railroad

The Garden Railroad is celebrating its 100th anniversary and features a birthday cake made of trains along with a massive train landscape with everything from trolleys, locomotives, and even a tiny cemetery.

Visitors look at a caboose and locomotive 3450 from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway donated to RailGiants Historical Trains in 1955 on display at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Children wait in line to pull the trail horn of locomotive 3450 from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway donated to RailGiants Historical Trains in 1955 on display at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Children pose for a photo in front of wheels of locomotive 3450 from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway donated to RailGiants Historical Trains in 1955 on display at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Rail Giants

Ever wanted to know what the inside of a locomotive looks like? Now is the chance to learn more at the Rail Giants Museum. With several restored engines, passenger cars and cargo cars, guests can step back in time to the golden days of rail.

Fairgoers roller skate in Expo Hall 9 which has been turned into a roller rink and arcade during the 2024 LA County Fair at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A fairgoer plays pinball in Expo Hall 9 which has been turned into a roller rink and arcade during the 2024 LA County Fair at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Skate-r-cade

The newest attraction in Expo Hall 9 brings retro fun to the fairgrounds. Admission and skate rentals are included with fair admission.

Vegetables and more grow at The Farm during the 2024 LA County Fair at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Artichokes grow in the gardens with many other vegetables at The Farm during the 2024 LA County Fair at Fairplex in Pomona on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Located near the Big Red Barn , home to animals cute and fluffy, is the Farm and Gardens. The Farm offers tours of its vast 5 acres with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Wander your way past the artichokes and learn how to start your own urban farm.

About the LA County Fair

Where: Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona

When: Through Memorial Day, May 27

Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and Memorial Day

Cost: $17 to $25 for adults; $12 for children ages 6 to 12 and seniors 60 and older. Parking is $20.

Payment: Parking, admission and concert box office payments are cashless. Advance online purchases cost less than gate prices.

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New luxury hotel rises alongside SLC’s Union Pacific Depot. Get an early peek inside.

Owners say they expect to benefit from “new energy and vitality” of a sports and entertainment district destined for downtown..

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The new Asher Adams Hotel takes shape next to the historic Union Pacific Depot in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 10, 2024.

The extraordinary feat of grafting a new luxury hotel onto Salt Lake City’s historic Union Pacific Depot at the western edge of downtown is almost finished.

Folks developing what will be called the Asher Adams say the new 225-room boutique hotel at The Gateway is on track to open in mid-October. It will include an ambitious overhaul and adaptive reuse of the iconic former rail station as a vintage front for the hotel’s eight-story guest tower tucked behind.

A recent hard-hat tour saw crews with Okland Construction working on final finishes for what will be the city’s first Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, notable for its careful renovation of the station as well as how its themes and designs draw inspiration from the rail hub’s past.

(Asher Adams Hotel) Rendering of a view westward of the Union Pacific Depot, with the soon-to-be completed Asher Adams visible behind it. A curved 225-room portion of the luxury hotel dovetails with a renovated version of the historic depot, adaptively reusing the station for a grand lobby, reception areas, walkways, common spaces, eateries and bars and some of its deluxe suites.

“Everything that we do is going to incorporate that story,” Nancy Clayton, director of sales and marketing for Asher Adams, said as she walked the depot’s revamped Grand Hall. “Once this is converted into a full-fledged hotel, a lot of the travelers will never have been in this space, so it’s really going to be a wild moment for them.”

Named for two cartographers who first charted rail routes through the West, Asher Adams will have a signature ground-floor restaurant, Rouser, as well as a pastry shop, two bars — including one with a second-floor view — and finely appointed guest rooms spread through the new and remade older portions of the intertwined buildings.

‘The rest is history’

(Asher Adams Hotel) An early rendering of the revamped Grand Hall of Salt Lake City's historic Union Pacific Depot, shown as part of its adaptive reuse in the soon-to-open Asher Adams, an autograph 225-room hotel at The Gateway. The image does not include a lobby bar, to be called Little Nugget, moved to the hall since the rendering was completed.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Union Pacific Depot in Salt Lake City is temporarily used for storage as the new Asher Adams Hotel begins to incorporate the historic space on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

The station’s main hall will serve as part of the hotel’s grand entrance, reception and lobby areas. Situating the curved guest tower just west of the depot, meanwhile, has also created new spaces for courtyards and gathering areas between the two structures, both indoor and outdoor.

The sandstone depot’s marquee “Union Pacific” electric sign and company shield beaming nightly on South Temple will remain in place, complemented by a new, sleek “Asher Adams” sign beneath it.

Crews have preserved and refurbished original design elements in the station’s well-known Grand Hall, originally built in 1908, including its mosaic tiled floors, murals and stained-glass windows. There will be a new bar in the hall area, dubbed Little Nugget, along with ample spots to socialize.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Original stained-glass details will remain as the new Asher Adams Hotel is incorporated into the historic Union Pacific Depot in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

Marketing for the hotel at South Temple and 400 West focuses on business travelers and tourists, emphasizing the draw of classic experiences as opposed to simply a sense of place. “The rest,” according to the hotel’s motto, “is history.”

Areas in the new hotel such as Desert Wind and Pioneer are named after well-known trains from the era, while its main restaurant, according to Clayton, will key off the use of coal that once powered Union Pacific’s locomotives.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A thoroughfare from the Union Pacific Depot in Salt Lake City will connect to the Asher Adams Hotel as work continues on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

Hotel guests, of course, will also have easy access to TRAX and the rest of downtown, as well as The Gateway’s 650,000 square feet of dining, retail and event spaces, along with The Depot, the live-entertainment venue continuing to operate at the north end of the hotel.

‘New energy and vitality’

When construction began, the Asher Adams project also was touted as another step in revitalizing of The Gateway as a whole by the property’s Arizona-based owner Vestar, culminating a yearslong remake of the once-ailing shopping mall into an entertainment, dining and office-based “lifestyle destination.”

Now, with another sort of Big Bang development for downtown emerging just across the street, the quirky new hotel perched above The Gateway’s Olympic Plaza is taking on an even newer light.

Talks are at a heightened pitch these days after officials with Smith Entertainment Group, owners of the Utah Jazz and a newly acquired National Hockey League franchise, pledged to pump up to $3 billion into creating a new downtown sports and entertainment district in the urban core.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Mike Maughan of Smith Entertainment Group speaks to the Salt Lake City Council about the proposed downtown sports and entertainment district on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. At right is Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall.

Bryan Hill, general manager of The Gateway, said in a statement to The Salt Lake Tribune that the property’s owners were “excited to learn about the potential addition” of the new downtown district.

He did not address whether The Gateway’s 21 acres were being included in conversations about the new district, saying only that the property “continues to be a vibrant hub for retail, entertainment, dining, hospitality and more” and could potentially benefit from the new district.

“This development,” Hill said of SEG’s plans, “would not only drive more visitors and foot traffic to our center and Asher Adams, but would also rejuvenate downtown, bringing new energy and vitality to this fast-growing community.”

From history to luxury hotel

(Asher Adams Hotel) Rendering of a model guest room in the soon-to-open Asher Adams, a signature 225-room hotel built into Salt Lake City's Union Pacific Depot as part of an adaptive reuse of the historic rail station at 400 West and South Temple.

First called Union Station, the Union Pacific Depot was built in what’s known as a French Renaissance architectural style and served for generations as the city’s main railroad depot for downtown, connecting with destinations in California and Oregon.

The immense station stretching along 400 West is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was donated to the state by Union Pacific in 1989. The Boyer Co., the Salt Lake City-based developer of The Gateway, bought it in 1999 along with other nearby acreage, and the area was launched as an open-air retail mall and residential complex in late 2001.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The new Asher Adams Hotel takes shape at the historic Union Pacific Depot in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

Sales tax data shows its retail outlets have lost customers through the years since 2012 with the opening of the upscale City Creek Center shopping area a few blocks away along Main Street.

Vestar , a privately held owner-operator of nearly 50 retail properties in the West, purchased The Gateway with Oaktree Capital Management in 2016, and has invested more than $100 million in improving its facilities and common areas. The firm has also attracted some major office tenants to The Gateway’s converted retail spaces, including the biotechnology company Recursion Pharmaceuticals.

The Asher Adams Hotel is being built by a partnership involving Vestar and two other real estate development companies, The Athens Group and Hatteras Sky.

(Asher Adams Hotel) Rendering of courtyard spaces, hallways and other common areas between Union Pacific Depot and the soon-to-open Asher Adams, a signature 225-room hotel built adjacent as part of an adaptive reuse of the historic Salt Lake City station.

Also based in Phoenix, The Athens Group specializes in luxury resorts, residences, golf courses and similar recreation amenities, with offices in California, Florida and Utah, according to its website. Hatteras Sky , headquartered in Atlanta, emphasizes adaptive reuses of historic buildings, with a focus on apartment and hospitality developments.

Pivot, a hotel-operating subsidiary of Atlanta-based Davidson Hospitality Group , will manage Asher Adams’ day-to-day operations.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The new Asher Adams hotel takes shape next to the historic Union Pacific Depot in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

Editor’s note • This story is available to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.

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The Paralympics open in 100 days. Paris organizers are launching a campaign to boost ticket sales

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With 100 days until the Paralympics begin, Paris organizers are delivering a message from the athletes in a bid to boost ticket sales: I am not missing anything, except you.

The countdown campaign for the Aug 28-Sept. 8 Paralympic Games begins Monday. It features three Paralympic athletes, each of them alone in an empty stadium. The campaign slogan — “Il ne me manque rien, sauf vous” (I’m not missing anything, except you) — is a rallying call to get people to come along and watch them competing.

The French athletes featured in the campaign are Arnaud Assoumani , a long jump and triple jump specialist who won gold at the 2008 Games in Beijing; wheelchair tennis player Pauline Déroulède , and blind soccer player Gaël Rivière who was a European championship winner two years ago. He plays at club level for Bondy Cécifoot Club — in the same suburb where France star Kylian Mbappé grew up.

National broadcaster France Télévisions will show the campaign in a bid to raise awareness and — ultimately — boost sales. So far, 900,000 of the 2.8 million tickets have been sold.

A total of 4,400 athletes will take part in the Paralympics. Tickets are available from 15 euros ($16) for track and field sessions at Stade de France, wheelchair tennis at Roland Garros, or blind soccer at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The finals cost from 25 ($27) euros and it’s 45 euros ($49) to watch the closing ceremony.

Ticket sales could escalate once posters start appearing around Paris, with organizers aiming to raise awareness and increase fan engagement and solidarity.

There will be 651 posters dotted around the city, 972 on the subway and a further 2,520 on the sides of buses.

On Tuesday, four Paralympic athletes will walk up the famed steps at the Cannes Film Festival along with Paris 2024 Olympic head Tony Estanguet.

Of the tickets sold so far, organizers said 300,000 have been bought by the state and 150,000 by the International Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee.

Organizers haven’t released details for the amount of tickets sold for the opening ceremony, which takes place along a section of the famed Champs-Élysées.

Paul McCartney has let the song “We All Stand Together” be used in a promotional film for the International Paralympic Committee.

The Paralympics will have a record 164 broadcasters worldwide covering 549 events across 22 sports.

The 12-day event follows the July 26-Aug. 11 Olympics in Paris.

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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Moscow Metro 2019

Will it be easy to find my way in the Moscow Metro? It is a question many visitors ask themselves before hitting the streets of the Russian capital. As metro is the main means of transport in Moscow – fast, reliable and safe – having some skills in using it will help make your visit more successful and smooth. On top of this, it is the most beautiful metro in the world !

. There are over 220 stations and 15 lines in the Moscow Metro. It is open from 6 am to 1 am. Trains come very frequently: during the rush hour you won't wait for more than 90 seconds! Distances between stations are quite long – 1,5 to 2 or even 3 kilometers. Metro runs inside the city borders only. To get to the airport you will need to take an onground train - Aeroexpress.

RATES AND TICKETS

Paper ticket A fee is fixed and does not depend on how far you go. There are tickets for a number of trips: 1, 2 or 60 trips; or for a number of days: 1, 3 days or a month. Your trips are recorded on a paper ticket. Ifyou buy a ticket for several trips you can share it with your traveling partner passing it from one to the other at the turnstile.

On every station there is cashier and machines (you can switch it to English). Cards and cash are accepted. 1 trip - 55 RUB 2 trips - 110 RUB

Tickets for 60 trips and day passes are available only at the cashier's.

60 rides - 1900 RUB

1 day - 230 RUB 3 days - 438 RUB 30 days - 2170 RUB.

The cheapest way to travel is buying Troyka card . It is a plastic card you can top up for any amount at the machine or at the ticket office. With it every trip costs 38 RUB in the metro and 21 RUB in a bus. You can get the card in any ticket office. Be prepared to leave a deposit of 50 RUB. You can get it back returning the card to the cashier.

SamsungPay, ApplePay and PayPass cards.

One turnstile at every station accept PayPass and payments with phones. It has a sticker with the logos and located next to the security's cabin.

GETTING ORIENTED

At the platfrom you will see one of these signs.

It indicates the line you are at now (line 6), shows the direction train run and the final stations. Numbers below there are of those lines you can change from this line.

In trains, stations are announced in Russian and English. In newer trains there are also visual indication of there you are on the line.

To change lines look for these signs. This one shows the way to line 2.

There are also signs on the platfrom. They will help you to havigate yourself. (To the lines 3 and 5 in this case). 

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Ministry issues show cause notice as agency fails to secure visas for 260 pilgrims

• Leads to uncertainty about their Hajj travel
• 28,760 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued a show-cause notice to an agency due to the failure to secure visas for any of the individuals registered for Hajj this year. 

A total of 260 people had registered for Hajj with the North Bengal Hajj Travels and Tours Guide agency, leading to uncertainty about their participation.

This information was revealed in a letter signed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs Joint Secretary (Hajj) Dr Md Manjurul Haque on the Bangladesh Haj Management Portal on Sunday.

The letter said Hajj pilgrims started going to Saudi Arabia on May 9, 2024. During this period, visas of all Hajj pilgrims of other agencies were completed.   The letter also said that the manager of the agency could not be reached even after trying to contact him on the designated mobile phone number. 

Additionally, he failed to fulfill his responsibility to appear at the office of the Additional Secretary (Hajj) of the ministry, Md Matiul Islam, on May 15 to provide a proper explanation for not securing the pay order for the Hajj tickets.

A total of 28,760 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia since the start of the Hajj flight till Saturday.

This information was released on the Bangladesh Haj Management Portal on Sunday.

According to the information received, of the 28,760 pilgrims who arrived in Saudi Arabia by Saturday, 3,747 were from government management, and 25,013 were from private management.

This year's Hajj will be held on June 16. The number of agencies associated with Hajj activities approved by the Ministry of Religious Affairs is 259.

The first flight with pilgrims to Saudi Arabia left on May 9. Hajj flights will continue until June 10. After the Hajj, the return flight will start on June 20 and end on July 22.

Hajj 2024: 28,760 Bangladeshi pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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