Promontory Apartments | |
.jpg) Promontory Apartments in 2008. TheFlamingo-on-the-Lake Apartments is the red tower to the right. | |
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| Location | 5530–5532 South Shore Dr.,Chicago, Illinois |
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| Coordinates | 41°47′39″N87°34′51″W / 41.79417°N 87.58083°W /41.79417; -87.58083 |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1949 (1949) |
| Built by | Peter Hamlin Construction Company |
| Architect | Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Pace Associates |
| Architectural style | International Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001281[1] |
| Added to NRHP | November 21, 1996 |
ThePromontory Apartments is a 22-storyskyscraper inHyde Park, Chicago,Illinois, United States. The first skyscraper designed byLudwig Mies van der Rohe, it was also the first of his buildings to feature concepts such as an exposed skeleton. Thecooperative building overlookingBurnham Park has 122 units.
In 1946, real estate developerHerbert Greenwald decided to build a newcooperative housing high-rise inHyde Park, Chicago,Illinois. Although the area had several tall apartment buildings, this would be the first such building since theGreat Depression. Greenwald discussed options with his neighbor, Charles B. Genther, an architect with Pace Associates.[2] Greenwald sought the notoriety that a big-name architect would bring to the project. He first contactedFrank Lloyd Wright, who offered to design the building for an advance payment of $50,000. Greenwald did not have enough money on hand to pay the architect, so he looked for other options. He contactedLe Corbusier, but the architect replied with a message stating that he would not design buildings in the United States.[2]Eero Saarinen also rejected the commission.[3] Finally, he offered the project toWalter Gropius inBoston, who rejected the commission as it was too far away from his main offices. Gropius suggested that Greenwald instead turn toLudwig Mies van der Rohe, who had offices in Chicago.[2]
Genther had previously studied under Mies at theIllinois Institute of Technology. He suggested that Mies become involved with the design of the project. Mies was one of the most prominent architects of the time, but had never designed a high-rise structure.[4] The project was named the "Promontory Apartments" because the proposed site overlooked Promontory Point inBurnham Park.[2]
After a general floor plan had been suggested, Mies developed a design of the building. He suggested a steel curtain wall that would be encased in brick on two sides. On the other two sides, east and west, he recommended floor-to-ceiling windows between I-beam mullions running the height of the building. Greenwald rejected this design, although he would later approve a similar design for his860–880 Lake Shore Drive Apartments. Mies also submitted a second design with an exposed concrete structure on all sides. This design would have low brick spandrel walls and full-width windows on two sides. Greenwald approved this second design.[4]
Greenwald struggled to convince banks to lend him money for the project. Greenwald and Mies' concept to develop an apartment scheme with so much glass proved controversial. Finally, in Spring 1947, Greenwald was able to secure a mortgage with the Trust Company of Chicago. The Peter Hamlin Construction Company was selected as the general contractor and construction began that Fall. The project began to attract interest when a model of the final version and a drawing of the steel-and-glass version were put on display for a Mies showcase at theMuseum of Modern Art. By the time the building was completed in 1949, all of the apartment units were sold.[4]
The Promontory Apartments were the first Mies building to have an exposed skeleton structure, an architectural theme that would dominate the latter portion of his career. Mies first proposed an external skeleton for an office building in 1923, but abandoned the concept until the late 1930s. His Mechanical Engineering Research building on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus featured an exposed concrete frame, but it was infilled with brick spandrel walls and windows and was not constructed in accordance with Mies' design. However, the building design is clearly a precursor to the Promontory Apartments.[4]
The Promontory Apartments were an important point in Mies' career. The building was well received in the United States and abroad and further cemented his reputation as a leading architect. The building's success would inspire Greenwald to commission Mies to design more than ten additional apartment projects. Mies was also encouraged by the reception and abandoned the classic elements such as the traditional floor plan for more experimental steel-and-glass design. The building and its display at the Museum of Modern Art encouraged Phyllis and Samuel Bronfman to commission Mies to design theSeagram Building inNew York City.[4]
In the mid-1960s, the Promontory Apartments Trust contacted Mies about alterations to the ground floor as well as through-wall air conditioners for the spandrel walls. Mies offered his input on these changes, which were put into place c. 1965–66.[4] On November 21, 1996, the building was recognized by theNational Park Service with a listing on theNational Register of Historic Places.[1]
The Promontory Apartments are adjacent to the 1927Flamingo-on-the-Lake Apartments, also listed on the National Register. The building is designed as a Double T with the horizontal cross-bars joined; the stems of the T's form wings to the rear. Each T is its own building with separate addresses, elevators, and stairways. This tripartite design would feature prominently in future Mies designs. Starting with the third story, each floor of each T has three apartments which share a small elevator lobby in the center. The first floor has a common lobby and two apartments at a mezzanine level; thus, there are 122 units. The building has a basement with maintenance facilities, storage, laundry, and mechanical equipment rooms.[4]
Media related toPromontory Apartments at Wikimedia Commons
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