In 1971, I was taken up the John Hancock Tower, which I believe was then Chicago’s highest structure. Now, renamed the 360° Tower, it has become the fourth highest. Today, the plan is to go up both!
21.49 hrs in the bar at The Fairmont Millennium Park.
I should have set out far earlier today. It never occurred to me that going up Chicago’s tallest high rise would consume four hours with seemingly endless queueing and airport-style security checks, which seem to be everywhere these days.
Queueing for the elevators at the Willis Tower.
Spectacular graphic illuminated images and models tell the story of Chicago along endless crowd controlled passages. Eventually, one arrives at the lift and not too soon, after endless waiting and moving forward ever so slowly, is “teleported” 100 storeys before being transferred to a second lift to the 103rd floor.
The author of the blogs reprised his role as a DJ in Chicago! Back in the day. my hair was darker and more plenteous.“Red Flamingo” by Alexander Calder. See previous blog where the original sculpture is situated in the FEDERAL PLAZA and can be seen clearly from the Big Bus tour between stops 2 and 3.
The views, directly facing north, south, east, and west, are worth the wait and the considerable expense. At this 103rd floor level, there are retractable rectangular glass boxes, which, when operational, allow one to look down all the way to ground level with just 1•5 inches of three layers of “fused” glass between you and the ground 103 storeys below.
Looking South
Looking East(below)
The ChaseTower built 1969. 850ft tall, 60 storeys. 14th tallest building in Chicago, 7,200 people employed there.Aerial view of the Jay Prtizker Pavilion where I wouldpay my third visit tonight for a concert of music by Elena Kats-Chernin, Johannes Brahms, Claude Debussy, and Maurice Ravel.Views looking northwards I assume this is looking west. The Ledges are this side also.
You are not allowed on the glass ledge above 90 seconds. Even so, the queueing for the Ledge was painfully slow. It had become too late to visit the John Hancock Tower as well. I suppose one could say I was towered out!
I managed to return to my accommodation just with enough time to walk back to the Jay Prtizker Pavilion.
At long last, if I am asked my favourite place I have enjoyed the most, it has to be Jay Prtizker Pavilion. The Grant Park Music Festival is celebrating its 90th year in 2020.
The sloping road right by the venue.Approaching security at the Festival Picnickers have already claimed their spot.Standing ovation after the Brahms Double ConcertoSurrounding skyscrapers highlighted by the orange of a setting sun. Tonight’s schedule. I had a long and interesting conversation with one of the concert stewards. (I’m not sure what their official title is.)The concert was not packed in the paying area. Strangely, the more expensive frontseats were much fuller. This is the final season for conductor/director Carlos Kalmar, who retires (or moves on) after 25 years. Next week sees the final week of this classical season of the Grant Park Music Festival. The grand finale – Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand! Wow!!! I would fly over from the U.K. to be there! But, Mother would disapprove! (10th Sept 08.36 hrs) I am sorely tempted to change my itinerary!After the concert. I would walk back to the Fairmont Millennium Park Hotel where I would, over an unimpressive stodgy turkey club sandwich, try to completethe day’s writing. Nocturnal views from my 19th floor window. Only rooms whose numbers end in 02 or 03, enjoy this spectacular view. I never imagined any of this would happen for a second time, especially so soon after my visit of 2022.
Many thanks for reading, David, 08.47 hrs in room 1903. 10/8/24. (8/10/24 over here!)
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