The Marina Towers have become an iconic image on the skyline of Chicago with their unique corncob architecture. Their distinctive look makes them an easily recognizable landmark that has appeared in many Hollywood films (including the memorable scene in the Steve McQueen film The Hunter where a car plummets from the parking garage into the river) and more recently graced the album cover of Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. But, as much as we admire the exterior and associate it with our city, what goes on inside? Who lives there? more ›

Fifty years ago next Monday ground was broken on a three acre parcel of land overlooking the Chicago River downtown. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by construction workers, GE employees, local politicians and President-elect John F. Kennedy (via telephone). more ›

We've been all about flashbacks recently so this documentary film from 1965 detailing the construction of Marina City fits in quite nicely. [via] more ›

Because of the architectural significance of our building, the condominium association holds a common law copyright on the use of the association name and building image. This means under federal and Illinois law, advertisers, movie-makers, and others cannot use the association name or image without first obtaining express written permission from the association.

We usually hate to just throw up a bunch of stuff in list form, but we’ve gotten wind of so many cool things that we just had to share 'em all. The kicker? They’re all free. No matter what your taste in celluloid or pixel, you’re bound to find something here to whet your whistle: Chicago indie flick The Minx is having a free screening on Saturday at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave. Director Michael... more ›

In a sequel to our on the scene reporting of the Marina City Towers Commercial Shoot for Allstate, we thought you might enjoy this video. There is a really good narrative that goes along with it, even explaining the pipe up the car's ass that shoots it off the 18th floor of the Marina City Tower. more ›

The Sears Tower and John Hancock Building have been iconic parts of the Chicago skyline for a while now (check that logo in the corner if you don’t believe us). But thanks to an appearance on a certain album cover a while back, the Marina City Towers may be becoming the go-to Chicago structure … especially if you have to throw a car off of it. more ›

Now and then there is something that we realize is not “a laughing matter.” One of them, for example, could be underage prostitutes. It’s not funny that a Chicago-area man was arrested in Ohio for trafficking prostitutes—ranging from legal to not legal—in Hollywood, Honolulu and other big cities. more ›

As some of you may know, a lot has been said on Chicagoist regarding the issue of street performers. A lot. more ›

Earlier in the week Chicagoist stopped by the Chicago Flower & Garden Show and one of the coolest things there was definately a display called All Aboard, Chicago. In it, miniature trains run past vignettes of 30 local landmarks including Wrigley Field, Trib Tower, the Sears Tower, and the Hancock Building. Pretty much everything in the display is made of natural materials. Like the train trestles that are made from willow twigs and the buildings made of twigs, bark, leaves, acorns, and pebbles. more ›

Among the 12 designs are two Chicago landmarks -- the John Hancock Center and Mies van der Rohe's minimalist apartment buildings at 860-880 N. Lake Shore Dr. Trib architecture critic Blair Kamin, however, takes exception to the small number of Chicago landmarks included in the set -- and he's absolutely right. If there's one this this city knows -- other than hot dogs and pizza -- it's revolutionary architecture. Blair mentions Marina City and the Farnsworth House as among those which should have been included, and Chicagoist agrees. more ›