Available Prints:
Lincoln Square - Chicago IL
The Krause Music Store was the very last design completed by Louis Sullivan. It's a somewhat sad story of a true architectural genius who was never fully appreciated during his lifetime. His organically inspired ornamental details, as seen on the façade of this store front, are a lasting legacy of a bygone era of beauty, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
Uptown - Chicago IL
The Aragon opened its doors during the height of Uptown's prominence as an entertainment district in the 1920s. This beautiful ballroom has played host to countless pieces of musical history, and the moorish inspired architecture within only adds to the nostalgic escapist experience.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
The Loop - Chicago IL
You might recognize the distinct patterns on this stonework from your last trip to Venice. Although Michigan Avenue is slightly less tranquil than the Grand Canal, I'd highly recommend taking a moment to pause and admire this this stunning piece of Chicago history.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
Uptown - Chicago IL
Built in 1925, this print of the original entrance structure showcases beautiful terra cotta ornamental details that were common on Movie Palaces of the era. While it's heart-breaking that the Uptown has been closed to shows since 1981, the good news is that the building still stands, and we hold out hope that the theatre will find new life again one day soon in the heart of a great neighborhood.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
The Loop - Chicago IL
This building is a complete masterpiece and a favorite of many Chicagoans. Built in 1886 by Burnham and Root, it is arguably the oldest standing high rise in Chicago, with a re-design of the interior completed in 1905 by Frank Lloyd Wright.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
Wrigleyville - Chicago IL
The Northside Auditorium Building was originally a Swedish Community Center when it was built in 1927. In more recent history, the Metro has been the quintessential venue for emerging artists touring through Chicago. Many acts that went on to play arenas and stadiums started out playing shows at this intimate venue.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
James A. Garfield Park - Chicago IL
There are many beautiful examples of civic architecture throughout the city, and Garfield Park's Field House building is a masterpiece. In the late 1800s and early 1900's, Chicago invested vast resources into the development of the park systems and boulevards. This structure has a distinctive gold-leaf dome that anchors the center of Garfield Park.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
Pilsen - Chicago IL
In Pilsen, the beauties lined along 18th Street and the surrounding area highlight a completely unique district distinguished by architectural accents put in place by Czech immigrants in the late 19th century. Among those buildings, Thaila Hall has recently been lovingly restored and you'll find some of the best indie shows at this beautiful venue with over 120 years of history within its walls.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
Printer's Row - South Loop - Chicago IL
Still anchoring the south end of Printer's Row in the South Loop, Dearborn Station (aka Polk Street Depot) was built in 1883 by the Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad. An imposing 12 story clock tower rises above the station that originally had a beautiful steeply pitched roof. Though no trains have entered the station since the 1970s, thankfully the building survives. It now serves as retail and office space, and the former rail yards are occupied by Dearborn Park.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
River North - Chicago IL
Subtly hidden amongst high rises and the upward urban changes that have taken place in River North over the last 120 years, the music temple has not only survived, but has also recently been restored and renovated. Built in 1901 as the headquarters and showroom of the Bush and Gerts Piano Company, this architectural treasure carries beautiful french renaissance accents rarely seen in Chicago.
8x8"
Graphic Print
Lakeview - Chicago IL
Originally Built in 1929, this theatre represents a smaller alternative to some of the the large scale movie palaces of the era. Located on the northern section of the Southport Corridor, the Music Box has become a beloved neighborhood institution where you can catch repertory screenings, independent films, or cult classics depending on the night.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
Englewood - Chicago IL
Located in Englewood on the south side of Chicago, the Yale was originally built in 1892 as luxury apartments in anticipation of the World's Columbian Exposition (World's Fair) held in relatively nearby Jackson Park. Hidden within, this building has an incredible seven story interior atrium with a skylight that allows sunlight to filter in and showcase an inviting airy space with surrounding walkways leading to individual apartments.
8x8"
Graphic Print
The Loop - Chicago IL
This was an unbelievably beautiful structure that once stood at the corner of LaSalle and Monroe streets. Associated with the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, this building housed an organization that was sneaky progressive in for its time. "Here women, by holding conventions, circles, debates; by keeping restaurants, establishing hospitals, promoting prohibition politics, variously sought their own happiness and the public good." Sadly, this building didn't even survive the 1920's, but you can celebrate a bygone era of high rise office tower splendor inspired by the Chateau's of France with this completely unique graphic print.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
The Loop - Chicago IL
This beautiful french renaissance theatre was built in the early 1900s adjacent the infamous Blackstone Hotel on a site that once occupied Timothy Blackstone's home. At one time there was even a sixth floor skybridge that connected the two buildings encouraging patrons to be entertained without the need to go outside, which is pretty handy during Chicago winters. This print was carefully illustrated to accentuate the original Beaux-Arts architectural elements.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
The Loop - Chicago IL
"Stately, perfectly proportioned, pure in outline and exquisite in tint, it rises at the southeast corner of Dearborn and Van Buren streets." - Joseph and Caroline Kirkland - The Story of Chicago - 1894.
Federal Street and Plymouth Court essentially cut blocks in half between Jackson and Polk Street making a unique rectangular block shape and viewing angles for historic high rises at the south end of The Loop. Among others, the Fisher Building, Monadnock, Plymouth Building, Manhattan, and Old Colony Building make this part of town a joy to stroll through.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
South Loop - Chicago IL
It's incredible to ponder the amount of train routes that made their way into Chicago at one point in time. Beyond that, the resources put into the grandeur of these stations in that era is astonishing. The interior columns of Chicago's Grand Central were styled after Norman Castles with intricate carvings and the waiting room floor was even laid with Vermont Marble. To top off the clock tower, a 5 ton bell tolled every hour. The Chesapeake and Ohio's Pere Marquette to Grand Rapids (which Amtrak still runs today) was the last train to depart this station in 1969.
8x8"
Graphic Print
Logan Square - Chicago IL
Originally opened as the Paramount Theatre in 1915, the Logan Theatre has been a family owned business for over 100 years. A community focused operation makes the iconic Logan sign quite appropriate as a beacon of the neighborhood from which the theatre takes its name.
8x8"
Graphic Print
Kenwood - Chicago IL
In Kenwood, on the south shore of Chicago, T.B. Blackstone had this beautiful library built as a gift to the city in which he had made his fortune. Here you can browse stacks of books surrounded by stained-glass ceilings, mosaic tile floors, carved marble, mahogany paneling, and incredible Bronze accents. The whole place is incredibly endearing, and the glass block floors alone are insane.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
The Loop - Chicago IL
The Chicago Board of Trade was the first commercial building in Chicago to have electric lighting, and the tallest in the city when it originally had a large clock tower in 1885. As it turns out, the ground wasn't stable enough for this imposing structure, and the building was eventually demolished in 1929, which is probably fitting for a financial institution.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
Uptown - Chicago IL
Some of the most unique architectural structures are on awkward triangle shaped lots, and this beauty was originally crafted and executed with ornamental accents and terra cotta that remind you of Uptown's glamorous boom in 1920s Chicago as an entertainment district.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
Downtown - Chicago IL
The Wrigley building is an architectural icon in the heart of Chicago at the intersection of Michigan Avenue & the Chicago River. The façade is still covered with the traditional glazed white terra-cotta (and still washed by hand) which makes the building glow when it's lit up at night to show off it's beautiful ornamental details. William M. Wrigley Jr. definitely left a legacy in the windy city despite spending many of his later years in California. A certain ball park on the north side and this treasure are among Chicago's most beloved structures.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
Lake View East - Chicago IL
Built in 1925, the Diversey Theatre was located on Clark Street just north of the busy Clark-Diversey-Broadway intersection. This structure has been through many variations over the years. As the mall craze swept the country, the theatre was gutted and turned into an urban shopping center in the late 1970s. Despite various awkward additions, much of the original façade can still be appreciated today as you stroll up Clark Street.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
West Loop - Chicago IL
Built in 1892, this beautiful Schlitz Tied House has recently been saved from the wrecking ball (multiple times). Thankfully, in July of 2021, the structure was officially designated a city landmark. The Milwaukee based brewery built nearly 60 different tied houses in Chicago in the late 1800s and early 1900s in order to promote their product. The West Loop scene is booming at the moment, with glass box buildings going up constantly it seems, so it's nice to see a piece of history has been saved in this part of town.
8x8"
Graphic Print
Ravenswood - Chicago IL
When Ashland Avenue was widened in 1929, buildings in the city's right of way were chopped or leveled to make way, but the resilient community behind this parish came together and moved the entire structure across the street! This is an incredible feat in any time period let alone depression era Chicago.
8x8"
Graphic Print
Uptown - Chicago IL
This iconic landmark is another example of beautiful civic architecture on the north side, and it was wonderful to see the CTA lovingly restore the Wilson Avenue station and bring back the beautiful topped arch to this grand entrance originally built in 1923.
8x8"
Graphic Print
The Loop - Chicago IL
The Federal Building stood as a beautiful and imposing structure in the heart of the Loop for 60 years housing the main post office as well as many other government bureaus. In its early days the Federal Weather Bureau was even stationed in offices within the dome and took official measurements from the top of the structure.
8x8"
Graphic Print
River North - Chicago IL
This landmark houses an incredible amount of Chicago's criminal history within, though it's easy to miss the building with the verticality of the near north side these days. Regular visits were made by many of the well known figures of gangland-era Chicago, and many infamous trials played out within the walls of this structure complimenting an equally infamous pressroom housed on the 4th Floor. This print was crafted as a tribute to the imposing romanesque stonework laid in the late 1800s.
8x8"
12x12"
Graphic Print
A passion project born from our love of urban exploration & the stunning beauty of historic architecture.
Though we've spent many stints abroad & on the move in years past, currently our studio is based in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago. Every print is carefully illustrated to accentuate the ornamental details of these architectural treasures. We especially love the craftsmanship and attention to detail common in the era at the turn of the twentieth century.
