Photograph the "gateway buildings" of Chicago

This is an old postcard from digitalpast.org. It features the Monroe Building and University Club building on Michigan Avenue serving as a gateway into the Loop on Monroe. Both of these buildings were designed by the architects Holabird & Roche. It’s neat to see the other buildings they designed. Like, they did the world’s tallest steeple for the Chicago Temple First United Methodist Church in the Loop.

What are gateway buildings, you ask.

• Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower welcome tourists onto Michigan Avenue.
• Hyatt Center and 111 South Wacker gives commuters a modern gateway into the Loop.
• The University Club and the Monroe Building gives tourists a gothic delight before entering the Loop.

I came across this idea written by Blair Kamin architecture critic of the Chicago Tribune, in his article “The Loop gets bold, inviting gateway.” I was researching the University Club building for my flickr photograph in the 24 Hours of Flickr group; and I came across Blair’s interesting article about architectural gateways.

So I guess there are at least three photos to take. I’m not counting the photo in this post as part of my official gateway photos, because it could be shot a bit better. Since I work in the Tribune Tower, this shouldn’t be a problem to reshoot it. Although the bears orange and blue in the Hancock is hard to beat.