Friday, July 1, 2011

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO

10 South Dearborn Street
C.F. Murphy Associates and The Perkins and Will Partnership

1969


 It's easy to get wrapped up in the History of Chicago's Buildings and Architects  -- but last Wednesday the light was so perfect that First National Plaza looked as crisp and new as 1969.

FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA
DeStefano Keating's 1 South Dearborn and SOM's Inland Steel in the Background
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DANIEL BURNHAM'S CLOCK
(Only partially obscuring Helmut Jahn's Xerox Center)
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I walked the length of Dearborn Street that sunny day of perfect light.  Marina City.  Daley Plaza. The Brunswick Building.  First National Bank.  Inland Steel.  The Marquette.  The Federal Center. The Fisher.  The Monadnock.  The Old Colony.  The Manhattan. The Morton.  Dearborn Street Station..... 
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I was reminded of the quote on the Tree Studio -
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Ars longa.  Vita Brevis.
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