Marina City Online - History - This Is Marina City

THE BIOGRAPHY OF CHICAGO’S MARINA CITY
Written by Steven Dahlman

“Central Chicago, like many other cities in North America and Europe, is in the midst of a period of urban renewal. Many buildings – some have been there since the great Chicago fire – are being replaced by new developments. Perhaps the most interesting – certainly the most dramatic – is to be found on a three acre site beside the Chicago River and opposite State Street bridge.”

1965 construction film: This Is Marina City

The Portland Cement Association of Skokie, Illinois produced this film in 1965. “Portland” is a type of cement. According to its website, PCA “represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs.”

Other formats:

Internet Explorer users: The Windows Media Player Extension is needed to view this video.

Notes and images from the film...

The term they are using in the film is “in-situ piling,” which means a tube (called a casing) – closed at the bottom with a plug – is driven into the ground to a required depth. Concrete is then poured into the tube, forming a “pile” inside the casing.

(Left) View from State Street bridge, looking northwest. The building in center frame with Dutch-influenced architecture is the current location of Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse.

With major structural work completed, utilities and elevators installed, windows were glazed and interior finishing began. Working five days a week, crews topped out the east tower 12 months after work started.

(Left) A man climbs a television mast that added 437 feet to the height of the west tower

(Below) More images from the 1965 film, This is Marina City, produced by The Portland Cement Association of Skokie, Illinois.

(Left) View from east tower, looking east, shows Wrigley Building (left) and 401 North Michigan Avenue (center), which is still under construction.

Entrance to National Design Center, a tenant of the office block at Marina City. Hotel Sax currently occupies the commercial space shown here.

Elevator lobby of residential tower. This is probably in the west tower. The doors in foreground have since been replaced with automatic sliding doors.

Skating rink and current location of Smith & Wollensky restaurant.

Restaurant located below the skating rank. Current location of Wollensky’s Grill.

Grocery store at Marina City.

Part of a sculpture garden that surrounded the sunken skating rink.

Gift shop in lobby of commercial block.

Exhibit area somewhere in office block, probably National Design Center.