Wednesday, November 21, 2007

The John Hancock Center

875 North Michigan Avenue. This building is a hundred stories high and is the third tallest skyscraper in Chicago (fourth tallest in the US). See a panoramic view here. I like the dark steel and glass for its moody reflections of the city, its external x-braces that were used, both for its structural function against the wind forces and for its visual impact; and the Observatory which rivals that of the Sears Tower in the South Loop. But my favorite part of this building is The Cheescake Factory, located at its base.

12 comments:

  1. That's a fine photo of the Hancock Building where I have spent some wonderful moments but not in The Cheesecake Factory, I'm sorry to say.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Bluechic. Architecture is wonderful to look at and admire, but the Cheesecake Factory, oh my. I like the way you think:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hancock is my favourite Chicago skyscraper, and I've a picture taken in 1982 here. Unfortunately, don't remember the Cheesecake Factory then... only in L.A., Beverly Drive!
    Happy Thanksgiving to you!
    Gil

    ReplyDelete
  4. I especially liked the details you've added.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice photo of the X-braces and info in the blog.

    Happy Thanksgiving.

    Thanks for visiting my NorthBayPhoto blog. To answer your question, I rarely ever go up in the air above North Bay.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a great shot of big John. I hope you post some more here. I like the Cheesecake Factory but my recollection is that Gino's East is right across the street. That is definately where I end up when I am in Chitown. Can't beat Chicago pizze anywhere on the planet, and I have been to a lot of anywheres.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you, Annie, Clueless, GMG, Weboj, Northbay and Dan! Yes, it is really fun to look up up up at this building but the real joy is eating in the basement...if you don't mind the wait for a table (it can take a while because it is such a popular place...).

    Thank you Northbay and Weboj for your comments re the details included, and welcome to Chicago, Weboj!

    GMG, as always, it's nice to have your archived photos to come and look at. Thanks for always including the easy link!


    Dan, I will certainly be posting more of these buildings. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have been scrolling through your old posts to catch up... I love the way you capture and describe your city, will be back often!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks Sam, looking forward to seeing more of Port Elizabeth too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. That is a nice building. The X-braces look so much like the ones in the Bank of China skyscraper in Hong Kong.
    http://gohongkong.about.com/od/photosofhongkong/ig/Hong-Kong-Skycrapers/BankofChina.htm

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sorry, looks like the URL for the Bank of China pic got truncated. Here is another attempt with a smaller URL
    http://tinyurl.com/yrg522

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for the link, hyberabad, I've seen this building you mentioned, on a trip to Hong Kong--and you are so right, they do share a similarity

    ReplyDelete