May 1, 1931: New York City's Empire State Building Officially Opens, The 'Empty State Building'

Just over 90 years ago.

In its first year, only 23% of the available space was sold.  The lack of tenants led New Yorkers to dismiss the building as the "Empty State Building."  Why, even King Kong had not yet climbed it.

On its first year, the Observation Deck pulled in approximately $2 million in revenue, equal to what the owners collected in rent.

Perhaps that little ol' Great Depression had something to do with it?

The building first turned a profit in the 1950s.

Where was the Donald when he was needed?

--CooterState

NIU Makes Plans for Building Construction in 1970

From the March 4, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1970, 50 Years Ago.

"New buildings which NIU plans to construct in the next 10 years include a science building, student services center, liberal arts classroom, men and women's physical education buildings, a fine and applied arts structure, more student housing and a building with business affairs and computer services will be housed.

"Also to be considered would be the construction of a golf course, sports arena and auditorium and a building to house an engineering school."

This is Northern Illinois University's 125th anniversary.

In the Midst of a Building Boom.  --Cooter

NIU's New Music Building Gets Funding in 1969

From the March 27, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1969, Fifty Years Ago.

"The federal government has approved a $1 million grant to be used for the construction of Northern Illinois University's planned $5 million Music Building.

"The structure will be built  on a site bounded on the north by Lucinda avenue, on the east by the Kishwaukee River, and on the south by the new Art Building.  Gilbert Hall men's dormitory is directly west of the planned structure."

I don't know what happened, but the proposed site for the new Music building is now the Art building.

--Cooter

A New Knights of Columbus Building in DeKalb in 1918

From the July 11, 2019, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"The work of constructing a new building for the DeKalb Knights of Columbus on the site on Lincoln Highway recently occupied by the Cook livery barn has been started, and a s rapidly as material and equipment can be hauled to the scene the work will progress."

"The Knights recently consumated a deal whereby they will become the owners of six feet of additional ground, now occupied by the building owned by B.C. Knowdle and used by Jack Cook as an office.  This old building will be torn down within the next few days and removed so that work may go forward without delay."

Of course, there would be a continuing decline in businesses of the livery nature as the automobile increased in popularity.

A New Building on Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.  --Cooter

A Ducky Traffic Jam in DeKalb, Illinois, in 1967 and a New Art Building for NIU

From the July 5, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1967, 50 Years Ago.

"East and westbound traffic near the lake (Lagoon) at Northern Illinois University was tied up in both directions this morning for a few minutes.  The reason for this was not the usual heavy traffic on the Lincoln Highway.  This time it was  "the call of the wild," four ducks taking their morning constitutional."

**  "Final plans for a $3,715, 465 art building on the east campus of Northern Illinois University were approved by the Board of Governors of State Colleges and Universities meeting at the NIU campus."

Of Ducks and Art.  --Cooter

NIU History: New Science Building in 1942

From the April 12, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Work has begun on the fourth and fifth floors of the new science building, being constructed on the southwestern portion of the State Teacher's College campus."

That would be Northern Illinois University today.

--Cooter

Original Chicago Names-- Part 6: The Palmolive Building, State of Illinois Center and Billy Goat

13.  THE LANDMARK PALMOLIVE BUILDING ON NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE, WHICH HAS BEEN HOME TO SUCH LUMINARIES AS ACTOR VINCE VAUGHN, WAS PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS:

A.  The Playboy Building
B.  The Palmolive Building
C.  Sears Tower

14.  THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CENTER IS THE ORIGINAL NAME FOR THE BUILDING NOW CALLED:

A.  James R. Thompson Center
B.  The Daley Center
C.  Everett Dirksen Center

15.  THE ORIGINAL BILLY GOAT TAVERN WAS CALLED:

A.  The Lincoln Tavern
B.  Belushi's Fancy Burgers
C.  The Cheezborger Factory

Answers:

13.  A and B.   When it was built in 1929, it was called the Palmolive Building and was the tallest structure in Chicago.  Playboy changed the name when they moved in and now it has reverted to the original name.

14.  A   Thompson was the governor of Illinois and the last former one who didn't go to jail, so the honor belongs to him.

15.  Well, A.  But Belushi and Cheezborger are forever linked to it thanks to the SNL sketch.

I only missed part o one question, but having lived so long near Chicago, I had an unfair advantage.

--CootBorger

How Chicago's Marquette Building Got Its Name

From the Jan. 15, 2013, Yahoo! News by Michelle Burton.

The Marquette Building in Chicago was designed by William Holabird, Martin Roche and Edward Renwith of Holabird & Roche architects and built by the George A. Fuller Company.  Completed in 1895, it joined other building built by George Fuller such as the Monadnock, Tribune Tower, Fair Building and Marshall Fields.

It is a work of art both inside and out.

Numerous efforts have been made, nonetheless, to tear it down.

in case you're wondering, it was named after French explorer, Father Jacques Marquette, a missionary, who along with Louis Jolliet, were the first Europeans to see what is today Chicago.

Today, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation owns it and there is a permanent display of the building's history in the lobby.

It is located at 140 S. Dearborn.

So, Now You Know.  --Cooter

Deaths: Sears Tower, Movies

From the January 19 and 26th, 2014, Chicago Tribune. //// RICHARD GUMBER, died December 13, 2013. Crane operator who hoisted the final beam to the top of Chicago's Sears Tower. At the time, 1973, at 1,454 feet, it was the world's tallest building. And, I still won't call the building by its new name. It will always be the Sears Tower to me. //// KENNETH GAGNON, 79. Died Jan. 4, 2014. Master carpenter and made a lot of movie sets, including "Uncle Buck" where his huge pancake was flipped by John Candy. Also worked on "Blues Brothers," "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," "My Best Friend's Wedding" and "Road to Perdition." These are some of my favorite movies. ////

Top Ten Iconic Buildings (Well, Structures)

From Listverse.  *--  I've seen it.

10.  Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
9.  *Louvre
8.  Burj Al Arab--  Dubai
7.  *Sydney Opera House
6.  Empire State Building

5.  Taj Mahal
4.  *Eiffel Tower
3.  *Big Ben
2.  *Coliseum
1.  *Giza Pyramids

Thanks, Mom.  --Cooter

Chicago's Shuttered Rosenwald Apartments

From the July 3rd Chicago Tribune "TIF may help revive historic complex" by Blair Kamin.

Singer Nat "King" Cole lived there as did poet Gwendolyn Brooks and music producer Quincy Jones.  Even with these notable past tenants, the Roserwald Apartments in Chicago, occupying a block on Michigan Avenue and 47th Street, has been shuttered for over a decade but may be on the path of coming back if a developer has his way.

Built in 1929 with an endowment by Sears, Roebuck & Co. president and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald (who also built the Museum of Science and Industry) the complex of five connected buildings was designed by his nephew Ernest Grunsfield, Jr, who was also the architect of the Adler Planetarium. It was home for generations of blacks.  He also was the reason for the Rosenwald Schools being built to educate blacks in the South.

In 2003, it was placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 11 most endangered list after the neighborhood around it declined, residents moved out and it became a haven for drug dealers.

Let's hope these plans come through and it becomes a part in the redevelopment of the surrounding area.

Saving Those Old Buildings.  --Cooter