Heard enough about Chicago’s oh so lovely architecture? May we suggest a walk with the Ugly Buildings Tour
CHICAGO — A Wendella tour boat glides past Mike McMains on a rainy Friday afternoon in October. The tour guide is saying something about the remarkable riverfront and the majestic Merchandise Mart, and though it’s all a little too faint to hear clearly, it’s probably positive, upbeat stuff, right? Of course, it is. Chicago, oh beautiful Chicago, has great architecture, look at this beautiful building, look at that beautiful building, this was made in such-and-such architectural style by genius so-and-so, blah blah blah. A moment later, as the boat passes from sight, McMains gathers his own architecture tour around him, a walking tour, of a dozen people today, a handful from out of town but many local.
Welcome, he says, to the Ugly Buildings Tour.
He begins with a question: What, in your opinion, is the ugliest building in Chicago? His eyes widen, anticipating the replies. Don’t be shy, is his implication. Not that anyone is.
The group goes in the circle, enthusiastically airing annoyances and peeves. A few bring. Thompson Center. Soldier Field. Someone hates “big cinder block buildings with six different materials on the facade.” Someone else hates squat, brown 55 West Wacker. Brutalism, in general — who needs it! Someone loathes Marina City. McMains has heard it all. He does not look aghast: Since creating the Ugly Buildings tour in August, participants have complained about the Aon Center, the Crain Communications Building, that seemingly-windowless eyesore the Metropolitan Correctional Center, that “Big Red” blemish at 333 S. Wabash.
