If You Love Marina City, You'll Love... (original) (raw)

Architecture Wed Feb 11 2009

Since the Lakeside Veterans Hospital was reduced to a de-constructed pile of rubble last summer, pedestrians now get a better view of architect Bertrand Goldberg's clover-shaped Prentice Women's Hospital. Goldberg designed several notable Chicago-area buildings, including Wright College, the Astor Tower, and, most famously, Marina City. And while it has been proposed that Marina City receive landmark status (it is not on the current list of Chicago landmarks), Prentice Women's Hospital remains in relative obscurity (well, it hasn't yet graced the cover of a Wilco album).

There are those in the architecture community who fear Goldberg's hospital might suffer the same fate as its counterpart down the street, seeing as actual hospital operations moved from the Goldberg building at 333 E. Superior to a new location at 251 E. Huron in 2007. If that thought terrifies you, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks meetings are open to the public and the next one is March 5. Landmarks Illinois also has a list of regional advisers, sort of like architectural Congressmen, who act as the organizations "eyes and ears" on all things building preservation. Find yours here.

Prentice Flickr photo by takomabibelot