Why Chicago's Skyline is Insanely Well Designed

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Күн бұрын

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What makes a skyline great? In this video, Stewart uses Chicago as a case study to discuss how to appreciate the design of a skyline. The video includes a close analysis of a patch of Chicago skyline as well as some terms and concepts to use when looking at skylines from around the globe.
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Architecture with Stewart is a KZfaq journey exploring architecture’s deep and enduring stories in all their bewildering glory. Weekly videos and occasional live events breakdown a wide range of topics related to the built environment in order to increase their general understanding and advocate their importance in shaping the world we inhabit.
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Stewart Hicks is an architectural design educator that leads studios and lecture courses as an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also serves as an Associate Dean in the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts and is the co-founder of the practice Design With Company. His work has earned awards such as the Architecture Record Design Vanguard Award or the Young Architect’s Forum Award and has been featured in exhibitions such as the Chicago Architecture Biennial and Design Miami, as well as at the V&A Museum and Tate Modern in London. His writings can be found in the co-authored book Misguided Tactics for Propriety Calibration, published with the Graham Foundation, as well as essays in MONU magazine, the AIA Journal Manifest, Log, bracket, and the guest-edited issue of MAS Context on the topic of character architecture.
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University of Illinois at Chicago School of Architecture: arch.uic.edu/
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Пікірлер: 544

@Azivegu Жыл бұрын

I do love how people just refuse to call the Willis Tower anything other than the Sears Tower, while still acknowledging its current name, and that list includes me.

@imveryangryitsnotbutter Жыл бұрын

@@diegomontoya796 Fortunately for you, trans women are not men, so you should have no trouble respecting them by using their correct pronouns.

@diegomontoya796 Жыл бұрын

@@imveryangryitsnotbutter The smartest woman in my college class was a trans woman. She got the female scholarship for grad school. 3rd in class compared to the men.

@imveryangryitsnotbutter Жыл бұрын

@@diegomontoya796 This post has big "Some of my best friends are black" energy.

@ilychan3580 Жыл бұрын

@@julm7744 imagine spending time hating trans people you've never met when you could just enjoy the last 5 years of the American Empire

@diegomontoya796 Жыл бұрын

@@imveryangryitsnotbutter Your mom left you the day after your dad told her black men are dangerous gangbangers.

@vucub_caquix Жыл бұрын

I'm an uber driver in Chicago and thank you for finally putting to words why my heart sings at the sight of my city, even in rush hour

@Chrispytoast123 Жыл бұрын

Lived there for four years and being stuck in traffic on LSD SB by division was not too bad

@ashleyklinder7961 Жыл бұрын

Agreed!!! I love driving on lake shore drive

@beyondxxl Жыл бұрын

My g

@nannerz1994 Жыл бұрын

I was a tour guide there on the river and it never got old. Unfortunately I'm in LA for good due to work but man, I miss home.

@man_on_wheelz Жыл бұрын

Man, you ain’t kidding. I’ve been to many other major cities and I can recognize other skylines even to cities I’ve never been to, but to me Chicago is one of the prettiest and there’s no better place to be stuck in traffic than on Lake Shore Dr. Overlooking the skyline to some extent. Even if you’re stuck on the Kennedy or the Dan Ryan going inbound able to see the whole loop clumped up in a cluster in the hazy distance.

@cade_olson Жыл бұрын

My dad flew all over the world as an airline pilot (particularly europe and the states) and he says his favorite skyline is still chicago. High praise.

@PeterTea Жыл бұрын

Chicago is my favorite skyline and that view from around the Shedd aquarium is just awesome.

@NordeGrasen34 Жыл бұрын

I was just walking in downtown Chicago a few days ago, and it was exquisitely satisfying. It really is a marvel.

@lir0513 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for explaining so well what I couldn't put in words to tell ppl how beautiful Chicago is and how its skyline surpasses NYC. I still remember the breathtaking feeling I had when I first saw Chicago buildings at midnight from the Lake Shore Drive bridge over the Chicago river. Although I have moved away, the city will always be dear to my heart.

@craigmalin6329 Жыл бұрын

The mountain range comparison is apt. Having grown up in Chicago, I had this wondrous sense of familiarity when I first saw the Tetons. They're compact, steep and gorgeous, much like heading south on Lake Shore Drive.

@digby_dooright Жыл бұрын

I had a friend that used to live in Marina Towers. His apartment was pie shaped, lol. That was back in 1995. The city has exploded since then.

@Helljumper7200 Жыл бұрын

I felt the same way when I went last week!

@jamesslate1026 Жыл бұрын

I would argue that Chicago's skyline is actually more attractive than New York, if only for the fact that there's still enough space between buildings to appreciate their architecture. For example, Bertrand Goldberg's Marina City benefits from it location, fronting the Chicago River. If you view these twin towers from River North, looking south, your view is blocked by other high-rise buildings. Also, Chicago has the longest extended lakefront of any major city. The model of the city at CAC is ever evolving. As new buildings are completed throughout the city, they are cast and molded for the display.

@pyhead9916 Жыл бұрын

Excellent point. Some of the best buildings in New York cannot be fully viewed and appreciated.

@allahbless2278 Жыл бұрын

Not even you, most people would

@blushdog99 Жыл бұрын

New York’s skyline viewed from the ground close up in Brooklyn or Jersey is just so bad. There’s many areas where they’ve built 700 or 800ft skyscrapers along the East river and Hudson that block most of the taller buildings deeper in the island even the Empire State Building and World Trade Center, not to mention the several 1400ft and 1500ft buildings recently built or that will be built are still going to be blocked. Tbh the only decent views are from really really far away or several hundred feet in the air.

@suuwooski6416 Жыл бұрын

@@blushdog99 only decent view is that of downtown manhattan from the water tbh

@blushdog99 Жыл бұрын

@@suuwooski6416 yeah lower Manhattan from jersey looks pretty nice

@arktorian1978 Жыл бұрын

the chicago skyline NEVER gets old!

@bebeaggad3302 Жыл бұрын

I just arrived to Chicago last night to wake up to this treat, a tour of the city by my fav Chicago KZfaq architect… thank you Stewart excellent work

@Babalooza Жыл бұрын

Ive always really enjoyed the fact that good skylines also display the history of the city and its architectural trends over time by juxtaposing different eras right next to each other. Using Chicago still as an example, it's has had the fortune of seeing somewhat regular growth and development over its history so you get the blend of old and new playing off one another. But if you drive up the shore to Milwaukee you have a city that shows apparent stagnation where there's plenty of older brick buildings from its industrial past but only a couple more that seem to have been built after that boom time.

@JohnFromAccounting Жыл бұрын

Skylines need to have variety, but consistency with character. The Boston skyline is a good example of one that looks distinct, and tells you about the character of the city. The towers are contrasted with the brick houses in the historic residential areas to give a sense of progression and history.

@TheStefanp10 Жыл бұрын

The city is racist as hell what kinda character are you talking about ?

@RemixedVoice Жыл бұрын

@@TheStefanp10 Boston is progressive and in one of the most progressive states. Like, have you ever been to a city in the south lol

@chosenone3119 Жыл бұрын

@@RemixedVoice Progressive doesn’t mean it’s not racist and Boston is a clear example of that.

@privateemail5870 Жыл бұрын

What are you on? Lmao. Boston's skyline looks like every other minor cities in the country. There is NOTHING unique about it. It's actually quite hideous tbh. Show a picture of Boston's skyline to a foreigner and they wouldn't be able to know if it was Boston or Topeka Kansas 😂😂😂

@ruinedcraft4830 Жыл бұрын

Chicago is a beautiful place and skyline never gets old: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e8qfjbCm17G1enU.html

@jeffjay9350 Жыл бұрын

As a life long resident of the far NW side, I have seen the view of the skyline from the inbound Kennedy change from an industrial landscape to an incredible view, especially when you cross north Ave.

@tomsenft7434 Жыл бұрын

If you come to downtown Chicago from Southwest, on The Stevenson, it's like coming into a house from the alley, through the backdoor.

@mrnasty02106 10 ай бұрын

@@tomsenft7434 You couldn't have said it better. I never liked the southwest approach. The entire trip is creepy and eerie AF, especially after Harlem Avenue. Ever since it was redone in 2000, California-LSD creeps me out the most. The pavement noise, combined with passing through shithole areas (reason). I mentioned this on a few Soldier Field videos. NW is a lot better!

@clownfromclowntown Жыл бұрын

I just moved to Chicago for college 2 weeks ago, so this is a perfect video! I want to know all I can about the city, so far I think it’s wonderful.

@12gauge_shawtyy Жыл бұрын

same! i came from a small town in CA, so it’s a huge change, but I love it so much. such a different vibe than LA. such a beautiful and historic city

@JuankiHilsaca Жыл бұрын

I went to columbia college. Graduated 2020. Enjoy!

@K4R3N Жыл бұрын

Okay, get ready for the winter now 🥶

@robertpreston2220 Жыл бұрын

@@K4R3N lol we had no winter again

@K4R3N Жыл бұрын

@@robertpreston2220 yeah this is weird. I think the south will be uninhabitable in 10 years. Everything will burn up. All those folks in the south will have to make back to Great Lakes and Midwest

@lsmft5178 Жыл бұрын

Kudos for using Cloud Gate, an object that distorts the city to the point of creating a new impossible skyline, for a backdrop. Great video as always.

@bossfan49 Жыл бұрын

Kudos for calling it Cloud Gate! 😀

@jacksonneedham2792 Жыл бұрын

@@bossfan49 it’s the bean.

@bossfan49 Жыл бұрын

@@jacksonneedham2792 It's Cloudgate SG-1

@MN12warbird Жыл бұрын

The roof of lake point tower has one of the best views of downtown in the whole city. The truth is Chicagos skyline while mainly concentrated downtown does extend up and down lake Michigan for over 10 miles.

@pinneddowntopinup1997 Жыл бұрын

I love your content sooo much! I particularly love the fact that you highlight the greatness of Chicago! :) When you love Chicago, it demands your loyalty! :)

@prodbypiro Жыл бұрын

I might be a little biased but the way our skyline and lakefront were planned and designed is unmatched by any city.

@mickanvonfootscraymarket5520 Жыл бұрын

I've been to many big cities in my life. Chicago is in a class of its own. An incredible city, I always tell people to visit there.

@jaspermolenaar1218 Жыл бұрын

I just came back (to the Netherlands) from a visit to New York, marvelling at the many views of the city skyline from different positions. I like the comparison with the picturesque. Chicago would be wonderpil to visit next!!

@one-sidedrationalization1091 Жыл бұрын

I think you would really enjoy Chicago. I may be a bit biased, because I grew up there, but I think it is a great place to learn more about the history of American engineering, architecture, and design. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was unfortunate, yet it gave the city the advantage of rebuilding around the time the skyscraper was invented. The city had a clean slate to build from into the 20th century. I think that’s another reason why Chicago’s skyline is so aesthetically pleasing, especially when standing from the vantage point of the museum campus (around where the 1893 Columbian Exposition took place).

@AnixCo1990 Жыл бұрын

The Sears Tower was originally going to be around 5.5 million square feet in size. The size they went with was 4.5 million square ft, the reason for them cutting all that floor space was due to the faa limiting the height at 1,450 ft. The developers reduced its size due to those limitations the faa set back in the 70’s. Thanks faa!

@BabyBang17datruth Жыл бұрын

I think that’s the same reason why Dallas doesn’t have allot of tall towers due to Dallas Love Field airport close by. If these secondary airports close down like Midway and Love Field, there would be higher towers.

@AnixCo1990 Жыл бұрын

@@BabyBang17datruth they were okay with the Chicago Spire being built back in the 2000’s. It would’ve been 2000ft tall and have 150 floors. It seems the faa got more lax with its height limit, unfortunately the 2008 financial crisis stopped all construction of the spire. All that’s there today is a giant hole for the foundation.

@GeographRick Жыл бұрын

I love the view of the Loop from Adler Planetarium. We still call Willis, the Sears Tower-despite the corporate name buying.

@Snowboundless Жыл бұрын

You focus on viewpoints and asymmetry for the skyline as a whole, and I'd like to also point out how those concepts are demonstrated so beautifully in the Sears/Willis Tower as an individual building. It has an entirely different silhouette depending on the viewing angle. From due west, it resembles a person with head and shoulders--from the southeast (Shedd Aquarium), it's a slender black pyramid.

@jaredlash5002 Жыл бұрын

I appreciate that you used the right names of things: Sears Tower and Hancock Tower. ;)

@bderrick4944 Жыл бұрын

Still refuse to call it “Willis Tower” after some stock broker from the early 19th century

@fikalaredo5762 Жыл бұрын

Chicago is the nearest city to me for my whole life, and I always find it so weird going to different cities they just are nothing like Chicago

@scenicdepictionsofchicagolife Жыл бұрын

Chicago is such a beautiful place. I'm so proud I can call this place my home.

@yuanruichen2564 Жыл бұрын

Chicago is good except for the politicians that run it

@boogitybear2283 Жыл бұрын

It’s awesome! I love driving up and down Lakeshore Drive!

@FoleyNflexi Жыл бұрын

Ahhh, I can’t wait to call this my home!!! 😌

@robertpreston2220 Жыл бұрын

Me as well. I just hate the voters here

@rizkyadiyanto7922 Жыл бұрын

i heard there are many gang shootings etc there.

@silviabilacchi7981 Жыл бұрын

Just moved to Chicago and this is my favorite KZfaq channel/ Chicago informative architectural videos already! Thanks

@victorsladkowski Жыл бұрын

Without a doubt, Lake Michigan and the Chicago River are the best features of Chicago that make the skyline and city so magnificent. You touched on this briefly, but Chicago’s architecture and planning are so intentional. The buildings all play off each-other. Where New York is magnificently chaotic, Chicago feels harmonious. An example would be so many of the towers along the river that all play off each other’s heights, are an homage to other buildings, and more. It all feels like they communicate with each other, tell a story, and provide a glimpse into that era’s architecture. Apart from the Sears Tower, no building feels like it was put there to be on its own without the consideration of its surroundings. Basically, if you appreciate architecture and haven’t been to Chicago, you must visit make it a priority to visit. Imo, the most beautiful downtown in America.

@shakyelarnold7392 Жыл бұрын

I was just on the phone with my best before I got in KZfaq. Our conversation was us (mainly me) about visiting other cities beyond the east coast. The last city we talked about was Chicago. Long story short, I believe this is what they call serendipity.

@TR-wm3sg Жыл бұрын

The best decision the city ever made was to not allow skyscrapers in the area that is now Grant/Daley/Millennium Park, and restricting development right along the lakefront. Love that you said "Sears Tower" -- I call it that too, mostly just because that's what I grew up with. I also still say "Amoco Building", lol. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I've always hated that red building. I think it's an ugly tone of red, and it sticks out like a sore thumb. Eye of the beholder, I guess. Would be interested to hear your thoughts about Lake Point Tower. Not only its unusual architecture, but also the fact that it was allowed to be built east of Lake Shore Drive. How controversial was that decision?

@bossfan49 Жыл бұрын

I agree, the beaches/steps, and parks are a great buffer between the city and the lake, both aesthetically and practically. I believe Montgomery Ward was one of the major proponents of that aspect, also keeping the railroads away from the shore (mostly). I always liked the red CNA Tower. It gives the mostly gray skyline a little punch of color. Also it's a good landmark for directing tourists. "Go n/s/e/w of the red building!". Another great decision was Daley not allowing Trump to build taller than the Sears Tower. 😉

@XMysticHerox Жыл бұрын

The best move would have been to not allow skyscrapers in the first place at least nowhere near downtown. But the US us obsessed with the idiotic things.

@bossfan49 Жыл бұрын

@@XMysticHerox If there were no skyscrapers downtown, then it wouldn't be downtown. What good is a port city if your hub is 10 miles inland?

@XMysticHerox Жыл бұрын

@@bossfan49 Tell that to literally any european city. Like Rotterdam a port significantly larger and busier than any port in the US. You don't need idiotic city planning to have a downtown. What even gave you this idea?

@bossfan49 Жыл бұрын

@@XMysticHerox So go live in fucking Rotterdam then.

@embott1 Жыл бұрын

I worked in downtown Dallas for nearly 15 years. I always appreciated the directness of landscape. Apparently, all the “hats” of the skyscrapers had to be dissimilar. IM Pei. Reunion Tower. And that funny one with the neon (later argon) tubes outlining its shape. But Dallas also has heritage. Pegasus (MobilOil) limited the tops of skyscrapers for years. That innocuous square 6-story building at the edge of downtown that held schoolbooks. Thanksgiving Square. So much more. Take a look. I think it offers fascinating fodder for a story.

@passi4453 Жыл бұрын

yeah I love the Dallas skyline it’s better than Houston’s imo

@embott1 Жыл бұрын

@@passi4453 Houston had to grow fast in the 60s and 70s. And it shows.

@gretafieweger8217 Жыл бұрын

@@passi4453 not even a contest tbh, Houston is a great city but its skyline is clumpy and uninspiring

@rogeremmerson Жыл бұрын

Another thoughtful piece. The Chicago Architecture Centre looks like a spectacular resource. A wee thought, however. By focusing on Chicago and to a lesser degree New York you have considered cities with essentially flat topography. I live in Edinburgh which, like Rome and Lisbon, is built on seven hills that impact crucially on the skyline. Moreover, the urban history of Edinburgh links its 17th century 11 and 12-storey stone-built city-centre tenements with new construction which is itself limited by a 1968 statute to 8 stories in the city centre and to 15 stories beyond. I'd be interested to hear your views on this and to suggest that it might be worthwhile to have a companion piece on another (European) tradition of city formation and whether your principles, adduced at the start of this video, hold good there too.

@pahwraith Жыл бұрын

The best example of a city with hills and skyline are probably rio de janeiro and Hong Kong.

@jkinz12345 Жыл бұрын

always here for people praising Chicago!

@Deair2201 3 ай бұрын

Okay!! Keep loving on my City, it's deserves it.

@SimFoxSim Жыл бұрын

Chicago truly has one spectacular skyline

@AntneeUK Жыл бұрын

I recognise skylines, but I never really thought about what makes a good one before. Very thought provoking. I was also never particularly interested in visiting Chicago until I started watching your videos. I know they're not all in (or about) Chicago, but you certainly make it more intriguing. The only reason I ever wanted to visit before was to see the Robie House

@cameronmastoras9593 Жыл бұрын

Robie House is a great tour, but if you are into architecture, there is a lot to get excited about in Chicago!

@cameronmastoras9593 Жыл бұрын

Frank Lloyd Wright has a number of other less famous houses in the area as well

@AntneeUK Жыл бұрын

@@cameronmastoras9593 indeed. I love FLR

@AK-yv1kp Жыл бұрын

You might already know this, but if you decide to visit Chicago, you have to take architecture river boat tour

@jackbulmash4247 Жыл бұрын

There are some Louis Sullivan structures you should see as well.

@migrantfamily Жыл бұрын

I realised why I look forward to your videos so much: they make me feel wiser.

@moneyhoon5044 Жыл бұрын

I just discovered this channel. So good! I like how you keep it smart, rather than dumbing things down for the masses.

@zapomnialemPL Жыл бұрын

When talking about picturesque values of skylines and how to plan them I think about this interesting approach to do it in Warsaw, where urbanists, basing on historic paintings of Bernardo Bellotto use places where he captured the panorama of the city to decide where high rises can be placed in order to preserve the historical composition.

@jonathansandoval5858 Жыл бұрын

I had to pause the video to say thank you for calling it the Sears Tower!

@ab0ve521 Жыл бұрын

A Great video again, it's always interesting to find out more about cities planning next to architectural planning all at the same time

@layneyancey4619 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for calling it the Sears Tower! Love my city!

@lisakilmer2667 Жыл бұрын

You've given a wonderful rubric for explaining skylines and why some cities are appealing and others unappealing. The variety found in Chicago, and the relative scarcity of ultra-tall skyscrapers is what makes that cityscape work. Something that is also very visible in your aerial footage (4:12, 6:28, 11:28) is another landscape concept: repetition. One sees the same size and shape of mid-size (25 story) buildings scattered about, the way Gertrude Jekyll planted clumps of repeating plants or colors in her famous gardens. Then the super-tall buildings like the Sears Tower function as specimen trees like an elm, and some others like the Marina buildings are like accent trees such as Japanese Maple or Seven Sons Tree.

@sorcerykid Жыл бұрын

^ This is so brilliantly put!

@AnthonyRaynor Жыл бұрын

I was just in Chicago and took the Architecture Riverboat Tour. I gained a new appreciation for the City.

@chicagosebdesigns Жыл бұрын

It's my favorite view of the skyline and I use it in my art constantly! Great video!

@jimwhitman3678 Жыл бұрын

The Manhattan skyline changed so much since 9/11. I don’t even recognize it. Many of the new buildings seem so out of place. No rhyme or reason.

@Amaiya1 Жыл бұрын

Really cool video its something I've never really thought about until I helped shoot some videos at the architecture museum. Also to anyone that might have gotten confused at 8:06 that dome is actually the planetarium in the center not the aquarium. The aquarium is the short wide light blue building with the big windows and the field museum is the slightly taller building to the left with a bunch of windows

@vladimirhernandez8696 Жыл бұрын

this is incredibly thought provoking, Im appreaciate you for giving me a new way to look at city skylines.

@jasongotcello Жыл бұрын

Chicago is the city that links major east coast cities like New York, Boston and Philadelphia with major west coast cities like Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco

@K4R3N Жыл бұрын

Been living in Chicago 20 years. Very good content Stewart and thanks to Adam as well. My favorite sights of the city or coming southbound LSD just after the Belmont exit. Also the museum campus view near Adler (looking back) is breathtaking on a clear summer night. Finally the view from the top level of Rush Hospital parking deck is pretty cool and unique.

@kyshac81 10 ай бұрын

I’m from the San Francisco Bay Area, and aesthetically Chicago is my favorite city. Chicago is beautiful.

@edobrien512 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this wonderful program about a wonderful city. I will put the Chicago Architecture Center at the top of my places to visit on my next "Staycation!

@sleimson Жыл бұрын

Amazing video. Really loved it. Thank you!

@oliviathecat6475 Жыл бұрын

The most beautiful city in the world hands down!

@hammerth1421 Жыл бұрын

There's a lot to complain about regarding US city planning but having a skyline is something I envy. Hamburg's first true skyscraper is currently under construction...

@emmanuelmuzumara2411 Жыл бұрын

i love Chicago. I live on the Michigan side and from Lake Michigan, only on very clear days we can see Chicago. Most of the time we can never see it, which makes us feel like we have our own mini ocean in our backyard, but it’s also nice when we can see the skyline that Chicago is not too far away in the distance.

@cheyj144 Жыл бұрын

For those who have been to both, which do you prefer; Chicago or New York? I think Chicago is superior just because of its layout. It’s just easier to get around and doesn’t hit you like a ton of bricks when you commute into it.

@Snowboundless Жыл бұрын

I think the elevated trains really help with that as well. Much easier to get a feel for your location, speed and distance. When I took the subway in NYC it's like teleporting into Manhattan. Taking the Blue Line into Chicago from O'Hare, you can tell you're coming in from the northwest, and can see the Loop marked by the Sears Tower basically all the way in.

@steamdecknation7908 Жыл бұрын

New York has better neighborhoods

@alt51801 Жыл бұрын

New York is 3 times the size of Chicago so its not as crowded as new york.

@bossfan49 Жыл бұрын

NY is quite a bit older than Chicago, so I imagine some of the areas weren't really "planned", just built up as they went.. so that would make it a little more difficult to get around. Chicago has a few small areas like that but most of the city was planned.

@justdrive5327 Жыл бұрын

Chicago. Been to NYC and wasn't impressed. I'm from Chicago so i appreciate alleys with trash cans not trash bag piles on corners. Besides that Chicago is just prettier, wider, better planned, greener, cleaner and just overall a better quality of life. More affordable. Plus wages are high but cost of living is much lower. New Yorkers who i met that moved to Chicago feel they aren't missing anything but are surprised how much cheaper Chicago is. They feel their dollar goes alot further now and are able to save up to buy a house, which in New York is impossible unless you're ultra rich

@miniae48 Жыл бұрын

Our skyline is beautiful #CHITOWN #CHICAGO

@Queleb1 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic video, thank you.

@ajpankey3875 Жыл бұрын

Great video! Super informative!

@MrTimeless101 7 ай бұрын

The Chicago skyline is just well balanced, it has the right combination of ultra tall, medium height and low rise buildings. Compared that to New York whose skyline has become a mess of too many types of buildings crammed together, clashing and competing against each other.

@Josh-yr7gd 11 ай бұрын

I'm from Cleveland and there's a vantage point where many photos have been taken. It's on the west bank of the Cuyahoga River (in the "Flats" for those who know) looking east towards downtown, with the Detroit-Superior bridge being a prominent feature in the foreground. Sherwin Williams is currently building their headquarters at Public Square. It will become the 4th tallest building in Cleveland, and will definitely change the appearance of our skyline. Excited to see what that's going to look like.

@ideologybot4592 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video, mostly because I'm a skyline lover. Chicago's is beautiful, and I got back from New York for the first time a few months ago, which was fantastic as well. But still, I live in Kansas City, and we have a small but beautiful skyline that I never get tired of looking at. I wouldn't trade it.

@manxkin Жыл бұрын

I’m biased but Chicago does indeed have the best skyline. Especially at dusk when the dark blue sky compliments the lighted buildings. Most beautiful if you’re on the Chicago River or out on Lake Michigan. Magnificent.

@nannerz1994 Жыл бұрын

The examples of contextualism and referencing other buildings is very strong along the river as well

@jjerg 10 ай бұрын

One of the wonderful things about this beautiful skyline is the different views one gets depending on where you live. I grew up on the NW side (Go Shamrocks 🤘🏼). Going into the city via the Kennedy or Blue Line, the Hancock dominates but so many buildings are in your view. If you take Elston, it's the Standard Oil building that grabs your attention. Coming off of LSD, again the Hancock stands out but many north shore residential buildings precede it like stairs. From the Eisenhower, the massive area of skyscrapers, from north to south is incredible. The Hancock and Willis Towers are the 'broad shoulders' of the city and the classic look of the post office and opera house is something everyone should view. My favorite view is from the south. The beautiful reds of CBOE tower and CNA building compliment the dark of the Willis towers and the blue top of that building whose name I can never remember. The ultimate is riding in from the Brown or Orange lines and seeing some of the 'smaller' structures like Harold Washington Library, Monadnock, The Rookery and Merchandise Mart makes public transportation a pleasure. I've been fortunate to see many great cities on this globe and Chicago is what everyone is compared to.

@RareGenXer 5 ай бұрын

Chicago has the most beautiful skyline in the world. Period.

@jgw3497 Жыл бұрын

Such a cool video. Great job

@ellenchavez2043 5 ай бұрын

The best is the mix of old and new buildings. There is no "old Chicago" sections. The architecture is meant to provide continuity of line. We had the best architects and city planners since 1837, when the city was incorporated.

@ENRGG Жыл бұрын

The park in Chicago blew me away the first time i seen it felt amazing being surrounded by beautiful buildings

@Mono4692 Жыл бұрын

Love this video, do Melbourne in Australia next pls 😍

@seankelley8891 Жыл бұрын

A million points for calling it the Sears Tower.

@ilychan3580 Жыл бұрын

The Pyongyang skyline is rather consistent in modern times however, with a singular exception. If it weren't for ideological differences between the DPRK and the West, it would be literally just as globally hated as l'Tour Eiffel in 1900.

@japanamericacar427 Жыл бұрын

i actually like that building, it stands out like a sore thumb and was ugly as for a long time, now that its covered in glass it still is ugly, but its cool

@TreiPani Жыл бұрын

Another fantastic video.

@annapavfan4680 Жыл бұрын

My city always amazes me. I didn’t even know you could see the skyline from the Dunes of Michigan.

@anamarija631 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Stewart for yet another amazing video! Can you please make one on the subject of balconies? I am living in one of those brick vintage buildings from 20s, right by the lake and I would really like to have a balcony....

@scottengel9965 Жыл бұрын

Fun video. I am oh Minneapolis has a cool skyline featuring three tall skyscrapers of nearly the same height surrounded by smaller ones… Plus, it looks great at night when the buildings are lit up.

@dns-te6qc Жыл бұрын

It's so cool seeing the skyline from Six Flags

@ereceeme Жыл бұрын

I love the view while driving on lakeshore drive toward the west

@brendanbressler9807 Жыл бұрын

It is really quite the sight to see the skyline on a clear day across Lake Michigan from Warren Dunes in Sawyer, MI.

@bossfan49 Жыл бұрын

Sometimes I think I can see the cooling towers in Michigan City.

@sacresies 7 ай бұрын

U called it the "Sears Tower" Thank u.

@QuestionableLifeChoices Жыл бұрын

the thing about the chicago skyline that sticks with me is how colorful it is at night. i've only been to NYC once and while there are obviously some beautiful buildings there, all the lights were white. i didn't really realize that until i went on an architectural river tour in chicago (highly recommend) later on and i really noticed all the different color lights the skyscrappers employ. i've lived in chicago all my life and i never really noticed that but the difference in skyscrapper lights really kinda summarizes why i prefer chicago to NY

@jmarvins 11 ай бұрын

friend of mine with a hotshot job lives in Marina City towers on the 49th floor, and will have folks up on the roof to watch fireworks from a very special angle - it's a privilege every time he invites me over for a cocktail party or whatnot!

@neils5539 Ай бұрын

We watched fireworks from the Hancock observatory one time. It's really strange to look down on fireworks!

@garykuzminski7969 Жыл бұрын

Thank you, sir.

@krummhorn2824 Жыл бұрын

I’d like to to hear your comments on the NYC skyline. I think some of the new construction is ruining it.

@chrisclouds4182 Жыл бұрын

Best view of the skyline is from the Southside! Anywhere from 31st street beach to the promontory point.

@lelandanderson8319 Жыл бұрын

I love the Chicago skyline!!

@---l--- Жыл бұрын

Great explanation

@artemkundik3507 Жыл бұрын

Compare City Skyline to a bouquet - brilliant!

@billworn1270 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful as always. Suggest Sydney Robinson’s Inquiry into the Picturesque for further reading

@HontasFarmer80 Жыл бұрын

One of the best views of Chicago's skyline is from North Avenue Beach on a warm sunny summer day.

@billhosko7723 Жыл бұрын

John Hancock is center-piece then!

@stephenmoerlein8470 Жыл бұрын

Interesting discussion of how advances in technology impact building designs, and hence skylines. Besides those shown, another good view of the Chicago skyline is from Promontory Point in Hyde Park

@Jay-jq6bl Жыл бұрын

I recently saw a rendering of what the Palace of the Soviets and the surrounding area were planned to look like and it was very symmetrical, but also very pretty.

@alexzais1935 Жыл бұрын

We still need more skyscrapers. Time to surpass the height of the Sears Tower.

@MrGordon25 Жыл бұрын

Finally someone says what I been saying all along!! Its almost like they're scared to surpass the Sears Tower.

@blast4me754 8 ай бұрын

And they should give it to cities like Dallas, Houston or Atlanta that are pushing for the top biggest metro areas in the next 10 years.

@StreetPeter Жыл бұрын

You earned my subscription.😁

@stewarthicks Жыл бұрын

Yay!

@shabtech Жыл бұрын

1:25 Starting to see the Matrix Awakens map being used as stock footage in many videos lately.

@ds1848bp Жыл бұрын

Years ago, Ogden Ave extended north beyond Chicago Ave via a large overpass that took it over the river and Goose Island. By the 1990s the overpass was severely dilapidated and the surrounding area was a hellscape. but the bridge provided the best view of the skyline there ever was.

@nicholasmcintyre6862 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for calling it the Sears Tower

@jimfischer63 8 ай бұрын

The Sears Tower does not "taper" as it nears the top. It narrows, but that is a design choice, not a method to increase stability and strength as Hicks here seems to think. The Sears Tower gains it's strength from architect Fazlur Kahn's bundled tube design. The narrowing effect comes from the aesthetic decision to bundle "tubes" of different lengths.

@arktorian1978 Жыл бұрын

the best view of the chicago skyline (imo) is from the northwest when you are approaching the city on the kennedy.

@17388 Жыл бұрын

las vegas has one of the most interesting skylines, i truly love the way the strip stands out to the mountainscape in the background, and the sky in vegas just- there's something in it you really cant find in other west coast skylines like LA