What building is this ? (Chicago, Manhattan: hotel, train station, architecture)

[J13579]

I have been told its in Chicago, anyone know ?



Any help is apppreciated.

[sbd78]

I could be wrong, but it looks like the Carbide and Carbon Building which is now the Hard Rock Hotel.
Carbide & Carbon Building - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Steve-o]

I dont think its the C&C building, looks different. I cant really tell what building that is. Is it still standing? Anyone know?

[PAKennedy]

I've been thinking about this for a while now and here's what i've got. I figure this picture was taken in either the late afternoon or early morning because of the angle of the shadows. There seem to be an awful lot of lights on in the offices for it to be morning. Around the time this picture was taken the work days started later and energy for artificial lighting was at a premium, so turning on lights in the morning wouldn't make much sense as it would get lighter as the day went on.

Assuming it was taken in the afternoon, this building would be facing South. the tracks (maybe of the loop?) are turning in front of the building. If this is the loop, and it is in fact facing south, this building would be in the north west corner of the loop.

Look for it around there and follow similar architecture, but don't be surprised if it isn't there anymore or that the current facade doesn't resemble it at all.

Probably looking into it too much, but for what its worth.

[Steve-o]

Thats a great analysis! I tried to do the same thing, but confused myself right away and I quickly gave up. We can eliminate the C&C building based on the tracks.

Thats a start!

[J13579]

Chicago board of trade ?

[quickdraw]

That appears to be North Loop doesn't it? Do I see the bridge that goes from Wacker over toward Merchandise Mart ? Is that clock somewhere near the (old) Chicago Northwestern train station? I think if you stand on the south side of the Mechandise Mart and look south, you may see this building.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by J13579

Chicago board of trade ?

nah, not even close.

[Drover]

I have my doubts about whether the building pictured is still standing.

[mendelman]

I too doubt this is Chicago. Probably, NYC sometime between 1910-1930.

That EL curve has too open an area next to it, which none of the curves of the Loop's L have. Also, there are few, if any, buildings of that size that are built with a zero building setback for what looks like 20 stories. But that is very common in NYC.

I would say the photo is from somewhere downtown (South of Houston) on the southern end of Manhattan island.