Water Tower & Marina City

Two towers from downtown Chicago. The Water Tower hardly seems tall enough to be called a tower today, surrounded by high-rises on every side, but 14 decades ago it was indeed the north side tower which marks the edge of the devastation of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Several blocks away, the corncob-look twin towers of Marina City have been a mainstay of the River North area for over 40 years.

Corn Cobs in a Midwestern Skyline

At least, the corn cob image was my first impressions so long ago when Marina City was built just west of the old SUN-TIMES building along the Chicago River. But looking more closely they are simply modern curving spaces that have aged well in the Chicago skyline. Large balconies yield excellent views on the downtown, the near north side and Lake Michigan, depending on the location of the unit.

With the acclaimed House of Blues on the lower floors, Marina has managed to keep updating itself as it became another of the wonders of Chicago architecture.

Another building from the Chicago skyline in the next post.