Promoting Freedom for Creative Architecture
These iconic corn cob-shaped towers are beloved among both tourists and locals, having even graced the cover of Sly and the Family Stone's 1971 album There's a Riot Goin' On.
Bertrand Goldberg proposed his complex in 1959 as an attempt to mitigate Chicago's urban exodus, providing two residential high-rises (with roof decks), hotels, offices, theaters, bowling alleys, bowling alleys and an ice rink within its borders.
Marina City complex's iconic circular highrises, designed by Bertrand Goldberg, are among Chicago's most recognisable structures. Dubbed corn cob buildings or "Chicago's Round Towers", these highrises have made appearances in several movies and TV shows such as Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Goldberg was inspired to design these residential towers with their circular layout by a railroad car he had created early in his career. He believed no right angles should exist in buildings, leading him to create curves on each of their towers' forms.
The towers consist of 61 floors with apartments, 15 levels of parking and a three-story mechanical penthouse. Additionally, there are saddle-shaped buildings housing an auditorium and midrise structures housing offices and restaurants, all located on platforms alongside the river. Goldberg saw Marina City as an exemplar of split urban development; where different functions and spaces reinforced each other for mutual support.
Marina Towers offer stunning views that make it an attractive option for both permanent residents and vacationers. Plus, world-class shopping and dining opportunities are conveniently nearby.
Bertrand Goldberg created two "corn cob" towers as an amalgam of structure and sculpture, taking his cue from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's modular, prefabricated structures and his belief that there are no right angles in nature - two factors which influenced his use of curvilinear reinforced concrete forms for these towers.
But residents of an iconic complex might soon not be able to enjoy their spectacular vistas for much longer. A recent city inspection identified balcony railings in disrepair, leading management to close them for repairs - potentially upsetting some residents but essential as it protects residents' safety.
Marina City on State Street has long been a beloved landmark to Chicagoans and visitors alike, appearing in movies, TV commercials and even Wilco's 2001 album cover for their debut 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.'
Bertrand Goldberg was inspired to design two "corncob towers" as part of a mixed-use residential/commercial complex which also houses a theater and parking spaces, in order to create an engaging "city within the city".
Each of the 65-story apartment towers contains almost no interior right angles. A circular hallway surrounds an elevator core 10 meters in diameter, creating 16 apartments arranged like pieces of pie around the elevator core with kitchens and bathrooms in their centers relative to it; their outer sections culminate in semicircular balcon separated from living areas by window walls running floor-to-ceiling.
Foshay frequently grills on his condo balcony in the evenings. Unfortunately, however, his condo board has recently attempted - possibly without success - to limit use of colored lights on balconies.
Bertrand Goldberg created this two tower complex as an iconic landmark of Chicago architecture. Comprised of two corncob-like residential towers with 64 floors each, and home to apartments as well as concert hall (now operated by House of Blues), hotel, restaurant and office space - it stands as an icon in Chicago architecture.
Goldberg studied under Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and his influence is visible throughout this design. Each tower's curvilinear, reinforced concrete shapes recall petals from a sunflower, giving each apartment spectacular balcony views. Goldberg credits Mies van der Rohe with shaping much of his design work and this can be seen here as well.
Even though the exteriors of these buildings are hard and sculptural, their apartments offer soft and welcoming environments. Spacious and light filled apartments feature balconies which give residents an ideal place to unwind and take in spectacular views; residents are encouraged to personalize their apartments - making this community feel more like home than ever!
