Haris Ahmed loves Chicago. For him, it is home. He is from Removille himself, but he knows every part of the city like he back of his hand. Chicago truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is filled with historical and daring architecture, having always been the place to see and be seen. Ahmed has always been interested in architecture, which is why he has completed a piece of research on the most amazing buildings in the city.
Haris Ahmed on the Best Chicago Buildings
- Merchandise Mart, the world’s largest trade center and commercial building. So much more than the block of businesses people expect it to be, it is one of significant historical importance. Construction finished in 1930 and the building covers a total of 4.2 million sq/ft. The Mart isn’t just “of the block”, it actually is the block. In fact, it is two entire blocks! It is also 25 stories high and when you see it, you will truly experience the vision of Graham, Anderson, Probst and White, its architectures, who wanted to create a city inside a city. The building truly is unique with is “business boulevards”, featuring a total of 6.5 miles of glass windows.
- The Chicago Water Tower, which is the second oldest in the country. It was built in 1869 by William W. Boyington, using yellowing Joliet limestone. It stands at 154 feet in height and has a 138 foot pipe fitted into it. This was historically used to control water surges and for firefighting.
- The Wrigley Building, which is perhaps the most famous office building in the world. People call it the “Jewel of the Magnificent Mile”. The building is comprised of two towers with an open walkway in between at street level, as well as two enclosed ones higher up. Graham, Anderson, Probst and White were charged with designing this building. The architect firm paid a visit to the Cathedral Giralda Tower in Seville, Spain, after which the Wrigley Building was modeled. It took many years for completion of these towers. In fact, it wasn’t until 1931 that the walkway was put into place on the 14thfloor, 11 years after the ground was broken.
- Macy’s, originally known as Marshall Field and Company, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1978. Then, in 2005, it became a designated Chicago Landmark. The building is 12 stories high and is made of granite. Construction started in 1892 and finally completed in 1914. It has a Tiffany & Co. mosaic ceiling, multiple atria, and two huge outdoor clocks, symbolic of the store itself.
As you can see, there is fantastic architecture all over Chicago and it has very strong historic links. Men, women, and children walk the streets of Chicago every day and rarely think about the beautiful stories they see around them. Yet, according to Haris Ahmed, taking a minute to really look will quickly reveal the beauty of the city as a whole.