Marina City – An architectural achievement designed by the late Bertrand Goldberg which was completed in 1964. These interesting structures are 587 feet (179 m) in height. Do you see an uncanny resemblance to a food favorite? Affectionately labelled as the “Corncob Buildings”, Marina City sits on the North bank of the Chicago River in the heart of downtown Chicago. I took this photo on a recent architectural boat cruise.
Both buildings contain 65 stories, with the bottom 19 utilized for parking, one floor for laundry facilities, and the rest are condominiums. Interesting note: the parking is exposed (wiring prevents an accidental plunge into the Chicago River below), and cars are only situated by backing into the parking spaces. You’ll love this: parking is only completed by valets, not by residents. I don’t know if I’d quite like that scenario. It’s evening, you are hungry (and seriously, how could you not be when your building resembles a cob of corn 365 days of the year); but wait! No, I mean literally, “wait” for the valet to get your car out of its spot in order for you to drive to the nearest all-night diner.
As if living in a corncob structure wouldn’t in and of itself elicit hunger pangs, how’s this for an added foodie feature: the units are pie-shaped! Containing almost no interior right angles, the middle of each floor is circular, with 16 pie-shaped wedges adorned around the circle. And yes, you guessed it, your unit is one interesting piece of the pie! Say, Agnes, fancy a game of cards at my place? Why certainly; but I can’t remember, are you at the apple or the cherry? Silly girl, I’m at the key lime!
Many movies have been filmed with either the Corncob Buildings in the background, or actually in the movie itself. The movie, “The Hunter” (1980) starring none other than Steve McQueen, had a scene in which Mr. McQueen participates in a high-speed chase through the parking garage in one of the Corncob Buildings. You are probably ahead of me; yes, the car makes an airborne appearance straight through the parking space opening and plunges into the Chicago River! For the film, a car was actually launched into the river!
So there you have it! Fun-shaped structures resembling food for a city that is known for its, “foodies” and fantastic fare! Corncob Buildings and pie-shaped living spaces. I’d say we were in for one heck of a picnic, wouldn’t you?
A tasty post! 😊
I am wanting a big pile of corn on the cob and a huge slice of cherry pie right now after writing this, John! *LOL* Cher xo
Excellent choices.
*LOL* Thank you, John!! 🙂
I once stayed near these and they gave me the creeps. 🙂 I kept seeing them in various thriller scenarios…..
Heeheehee, ah Lev! Yes, I cannot help but think that way myself when I meander past them! And of course the infamous, “car falling into the river” always comes to mind when I see the ‘corncobs’! 😉 Cher xo
You are right, it is mouth watering… lol
*LOL*
I don’t get why they don’t make more of these buildings, It makes sense for decorations and who wouldn’t want panoramic views right? geesh 😛
I know, right Andy? I agree! And the view from these buildings must be amazing!! And talk about fun living in a corncob!! ;-P Cher xo
Ya! even cooler if it was the entire floor, with no walls in between, like literally one entire unit 😊
*Quadruple clink for Andy on that one* ;-P Cher xo
I had a window looking out at the corncobs when I was living in the SAIC dorms on State St. Fortunately, it never made me hungry.
Ula, I am glad to hear that! *LOL* Every time I am downtown (which is a lot!) I cannot help but think corn on the cob when I see them!! 🙂 Cher xo
They look a lot like the Westin in Seattle.
Oh does it, Josh? I wonder if it was the same architect (Bertrand Goldberg)? Cher 🙂
No, according to Wiki it is John Graham and associates.
Ah, thanks for looking that up for me, Josh! I’ll have to do some research on John Graham (and associates)!!
oh no… that’s it, i’m off to get a sandwich…
don’t worry about the tea sweet heart, we’ll do it another day
Nx
*LOL* Right then, another day it is! Enjoy your sandwich! Cher xo
Double cheese burgers!
Yes!!! 🙂 🙂 Cher xo
I have seen The Hunter, so every time I look at Marina City, I just picture all the cars just shooting out of their spaces like the buildings were huge sparklers. Imagine the CGI in a movie like that, if you can get the twisting action.
I cannot believe I haven’t seen this movie *yet*! *LOL* Funny you should mention the cars shooting out of their spaces; I often wonder if other people are thinking the same thing, as I picture that all the time when I stroll by Marina City! Oh yes, wouldn’t that be something!!! Cher xo
Cher, these buildings are quite different from the other downtown Chicago architecture. I’m not sure what to make of them but they do add more character to the cityscape. (As for food inspirations, I see stacks of waffles.) Best, Brett
They really are different from the other downtown Chicago architecture, aren’t they Brett? For some reason, it seems to work. In fact, we had some visitors here a few weeks ago (from Canada). They noted the same thing; although dramatically different from many other styles of architecture, it seems to work in a wonderful, cohesive way! Stack of waffles; why yes, I do see it, Brett! Cher xo
It looks like a corn in the cob… Hahaha! Nice architecture…!
*LOL* Yes, it is interesting looking!! Cher xo
I’ll order one for my lunch today.. You made me crave for it. 🙂
*LOL* That is great!!! 🙂 🙂 Cher xo
I think I’m a little of a “feng shui” person. I like round shapes, and all my furniture in my house is either round or has round corners! However, I don’t know if I would like to have a pie-shaped apartment. Your furniture choice would be a huge task with no straight walls. Love this post, Cher. Very interesting buildings. But, it doesn’t make me hungry!! Haha.
Hi Carol! Well isn’t that cool! I know a person who lives in one of the ‘corncobs’, but I’ve never asked about living in a pie-shaped apartment! Why on earth I haven’t asked is beyond me! *LOL* Thank you, dear Carol! Hahahaha, I totally understand! Say, what if they had butter colored balconies? No? *grin* Cher xo
It still wouldn’t make me hungry, Cher~ Haha.
Hahahaha!!!! 🙂 🙂
They caused me to think of … I forget the name of it now. But they have it at Cost Plus World Market and it’s some kind of extremely light Italian biscuit/cookie with waffle pleating, and if you don’t eat the entire package in one go the natural humidity makes the cookies too soggy to have later.
We have a Cost Plus World Market fairly close by, Joseph. I’m going to check out those cookies and then I’ll see what you mean! Well eating the entire package to save the cookies from sogginess is my kind of biscuit!! *grin* Cher xo
I’ve grown up seeing these things for years, but never knew all this information about them. Thanks for sharing! I feel like I might get to know Chicago better by way of your blog than I did by personal experience–funny the things we overlook when they’re readily available.
Well that is really cool that I am helping you re-discover your home town! I agree; we do overlook things when they are readily available. Well said! If you have the chance, please check out some of my other posts, as you will see ‘your town’ here, and in the future, a lot more! Blessings, Cher 🙂
The Corncob Buildings could also be the Pancake Stack buildings!
They very well could be! If you see Brett’s comments from yesterday (Monday, May 25th) that is what he thought, too! Cher xo
What a fantastic looking building! I can’t wait to read more of your blog and discover Chicago. Maybe you get asked this a lot but have you bean to The House Of Blues?
Ah, thank you so much, Chrissie! They are a brilliant landmark, I must say! For example, I might say to someone, “Okay, if you walk toward the “Corncobs”….. Hehehe. Believe it or not, I’ve never been to The House of Blues, but I am wondering if you already know it is below the Corncobs!! I must get in there sometime! Cher xo
No way! I didn’t know, I just love the blues 😄
Yes, I figured you knew that since you mentioned it in the same post as the “Corncob Buildings”! *LOL* How cool! Well they don’t play a lot of ‘blues’ there anymore, so I’m told. But Buddy Guy’s, “Legends” is still going strong. Buddy comes out and visits with people with the exception of two things: 1. If he’s on tour (of course!) and 2. If there is a Chicago Bulls game on tv, no Buddy (it’s a basketball team and his favorite)! Cher xo
Oh that’s sad to hear but I’m glad Legends is still going strong and so is Buddy! x
That’s a big YES to both!! 🙂 🙂 Cher xo
Love fresh corn on the cob! 😀 I think they ran out of butter, though. 😉
Me too, Kev! And yes, I quite agree! I think I should speak with the management, don’t you? 😉 Cher xo
Definitely. 😀
Hehehehehe 🙂
They have a name, I always called them the Corn Cob buildings and did a cartoon once about aliens dropping melted butter on them and eating them. Don’t worry, they used salt too. lol 😉
Thanks Cher and hope this week is being good to you. 🙂
Big hugs, Donna xo
You didn’t did you, Donna? Well I absolutely love it! You are a creative soul, my dear! Whew, I am glad you added the salt! *biggest grin* Thank you Donna, and to you as well!! Cher xo
As soon as I saw the pic, I thought “I’d be too scared to have to park my car there” so the valet appeals to me!! 😀 I saw waffles initially but now see yes, they are very corn on the cob-like!! Cool buildings, great post!x
*LOL* Me too! In fact, that is exactly what I thought until I found out about the valet parking! Hehehehe Yes, several people have ‘seen’ pancakes or waffles thus far! I can’t imagine what it must be like to live there!! Thank you, Laura! Cher xo
I always wanted to live in Marina City when I was growing up in Chicago. Never thought of ears of corn, though, although I can see it.
WFLD and WCFL (now I think it’s AM 1000 The Score) used to be based in the east building.
Oh did you, John? When I first moved here a ‘local’ commented something like, “Oh you mean the Corncobs?” After that, that’s all I hear them called! *LOL* I will have to check that out and see what station in one of the ‘cobs’! *grin* Cher xo
Ohh, these buildings always used to puzzle me. They kind of look like really high stacked piles of lady fingers. There is another set of buildings over on the lake front that are all curvy – no corners. A family friend had a condo there, said it was a nightmare to decorate. I can’t remember the name of them (Lakefront Towers – no that would too easy).
Yes, they are extremely interesting, I must say! *LOL* Piles of lady fingers! I love that! Ah, you mean the “Aqua” Building I think? Or is it Park Tower? There are several that I think you might be referring to. The Park Tower on Lake Michigan is without corners, so perhaps that is the one! I have no idea how one would decorate, that’s for sure! *LOL* Cher xo
And when it snows on the lady fingers building we could pretend it was powdered sugar or whipped cream. Yummm!!!!
That’s it, I have to go and buy some cookies!! *LOL* *LOL* Cher xo
May I have some too please. And can you get some ice cream as well?
Absolutely on both accounts! 🙂