So Long, Santa Fe; Hello Moto
Jul23

So Long, Santa Fe; Hello Moto

Written By on July 23, 2012 in history, Michigan Avenue, The Loop

There was quite a brouhaha earlier this year when Motorola Solitions decided to become the latest company to move its employees out of the suburbs and into downtown Chicago.  Not because of all the people, but because Motorola took enough space in the former Railway Exchange Building (224 South Michigan Avenue) to get its name on top of the building — bumping the historic Santa Fe sign that had been there since  Union Station...

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Iconic Santa Fe Sign May Change (Update 1)
Apr30

Iconic Santa Fe Sign May Change (Update 1)

Written By on April 30, 2012 in advertising, history

If there’s one thing Chicago preservationists hate, it’s signs on downtown buildings.  The only thing they hate more is when existing signs on downtown buildings are changed. That’s the prospect being faced at the Santa Fe Building (224 South Michigan Avenue), formerly known as the Railway Exchange Building.  Motorola is moving a hundred employees from the ‘burbs into the historic 1904 building, and as part of...

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What’s Going Up at Goettsch Partners
Mar11

What’s Going Up at Goettsch Partners

Written By on March 11, 2012 in architects, architecture

  Recently the people at Chicago architecture firm Goettsch Partners invited us into their Michigan Avenue offices to give us an update on what they’re working on.  We were impressed. Outside of the architecture industry, the name Goettsch Partners doesn’t ring too many bells.  Perhaps it is best known for the expansion of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois building (300 East Randolph Street), adding 24 stories to...

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