Back in the day of form following function, Louis Sullivan enjoyed a period of fame before falling out of favor.
For a time, when Mies ruled the architectural world, the buildings that Sullivan designed were carelessly torn down, to make room for more minimalist structures that turned out to be cold and soul-less.
The iconic Sullivan building at the corner of State and Madison in Chicago was saved when people realized there were some things worth preserving. Unique styles of architecture that were born out of the ashes of the Chicago fire were deserving of preservation.
But can you picture a big red bulls-eye target somewhere among the cast iron trelliswork?
Target is coming to the city, to open a giant discount shop in what was once Chicago's downtown shopping district.
Nowdays it's more like an open-air discount mall, with all the off-price and slightly irregulars available for cheap purchase.
Since Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. moved out, steps ahead of the department store Grim Reaper, the massive space has stood forlorn, its magnificent facade restored but fronting empty space.
Target has been successful and manages to bring in foot traffic. The warmth of Sullivan's building needs the added warmth of human bodies, utilizing the space, admiring the plaster work at the tops of the support columns and milling about in the way that the architect intended.
Target is better than nothing when you're talking about a shuttered storefront on the busiest corner of a major city.
It is hoped that Target's presence will revitalize State Street and, in the process, generate some sales tax revenue for the city of Chicago.
All good things, to be sure, but Target won't be putting its bright red logo on top of Louis Sullivan's artistry. The building is a landmark, after all, and it will take some creativity on their part to design signage that says "Target" without shouting down a building that says "Prairie School of Architecture."
No comments:
Post a Comment