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Museum of Science & Industry

Andy Nathan — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:53:25 +0000

Perhaps it is the child in me, but I really enjoy going to the Museum of Science and Industry. Maybe it is the awesome surroundings of the University of Chicago that just seem so collegiate. Or perhaps it is the gigantic train set they have of an almost miniature of downtown Chicago as the train slowly leads out to the farms of the Midwest. I could stare at it for hours. As a kid, I used to go to the old time theater where they still charged a dime to get into the theater. It was the first time I heard of this Charlie Chaplin guy. The magnificent old-time street leading into the theater on one end and the line of early 20th century cars on the other was just cool. From the trips into space to a look back into the deep history of evolution, there is something for everyone, in my opinion. In the exhibit of the mind, they actually have a game where you compete against someone to move a coin by relaxing. The person who is able to relax their mind is the one who can move the coin furthest. In terms of price, the great thing is that there are a number of free days throughout the year where Chicago residents do not have to pay. The downside is that these days generally fall on a weekday when people are working. However, with a little planning, your vacation days could be more exciting for the entire family. The Museum of Science and Industry is a great place to go when you are looking to have a few hours of relaxation away from it all.

As a kid, I used to go to the old time theater where they still charged a dime to get into the theater. It was the first time I heard of this Charlie Chaplin guy. The magnificent old-time street leading into the theater on one end and the line of early 20^th century cars on the other was just cool.

From the trips into space to a look back into the deep history of evolution, there is something for everyone, in my opinion. In the exhibit of the mind, they actually have a game where you compete against someone to move a coin by relaxing. The person who is able to relax their mind is the one who can move the coin furthest.

In terms of price, the great thing is that there are a number of free days throughout the year where Chicago residents do not have to pay. The downside is that these days generally fall on a weekday when people are working. However, with a little planning, your vacation days could be more exciting for the entire family.

The Museum of Science and Industry is a great place to go when you are looking to have a few hours of relaxation away from it all.

H.H. Gregg Ready to Build 20 Stores in Chicago

Lindsey Anderson — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:51:11 +0000

H.H. Gregg Inc., the appliance and electronics super-store, intends to build and staff twenty stores in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, providing as many as 700 people with employment. Big-box retail chains have been appearing throughout Chicago in recent years—due, no doubt, to increased retail activity—and it seems only natural that this Indiana-based corporation would want a piece of the action. Jeff Pearson, a spokesperson for H.H. Gregg, released a statement about the development, saying that “Now is an exciting time to join the H.H. Gregg team in Chicago, and there are many exciting opportunities for motivated individuals looking to grow with our company. The new team members will play an important role in introducing customers to the superior H.H. Gregg shopping experience.” It remains to be seen just how the addition of a number of big-box stores like H.H. Gregg will affect the real estate market in Chicago, but many city dwellers are happy to hear that a major company will be bring so many jobs to the Chicago and Chicago Land area. For more information about retail developments in Chicago, check out this article on the CondoDomain blog!

H.H. Gregg Inc., the appliance and electronics super-store, intends to build and staff twenty stores in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, providing as many as 700 people with employment.

Big-box retail chains have been appearing throughout Chicago in recent years—due, no doubt, to increased retail activity—and it seems only natural that this Indiana-based corporation would want a piece of the action.

Jeff Pearson, a spokesperson for H.H. Gregg, released a statement about the development, saying that “Now is an exciting time to join the H.H. Gregg team in Chicago, and there are many exciting opportunities for motivated individuals looking to grow with our company. The new team members will play an important role in introducing customers to the superior H.H. Gregg shopping experience.”

It remains to be seen just how the addition of a number of big-box stores like H.H. Gregg will affect the real estate market in Chicago, but many city dwellers are happy to hear that a major company will be bring so many jobs to the Chicago and Chicago Land area.

For more information about retail developments in Chicago, check out this article on the CondoDomain blog!

Trump Tower Towers over River North

Lindsey Anderson — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:50:52 +0000

The Trump Tower and its hotel, in River North, has received a lot of media attention recently. Last year, the Trump hotel was named the best large hotel in America by Travel+Leisure Magazine. And this year, the hotel has continued to rake in a steady stream of revenue, despite the fact that most of the hotels in the Loop and the Near North have been struggling mightily. On top of all that, the Trump Tower and its hotel seem to be having an overwhelmingly positive influence on the rest of the River North neighborhood. One of the managers of the hotel, Colm O’Callaghan, has this to say about the impact the building has had on the devlopment of River North: “Five, ten years ago, there really wasn’t a whole lot of activity around here. This is a vibrant community now. The investment that Mr. Trump made here – I mean, this is a significant investment, in terms of financial investment and the amount of people that are employed in this building – over 700 people working here right now. This really has become an economic engine that drives a lot of activity in this community. And I think what it also says, is it’s safe to make a major investment in this part of town, and it’s going to thrive.” For more information about the Trump Tower, or about real estate developments in and around Chicago, check out articles like this one on the CondoDomain blog!

The Trump Tower and its hotel, in River North, has received a lot of media attention recently.

Last year, the Trump hotel was named the best large hotel in America by Travel+Leisure Magazine. And this year, the hotel has continued to rake in a steady stream of revenue, despite the fact that most of the hotels in the Loop and the Near North have been struggling mightily.

On top of all that, the Trump Tower and its hotel seem to be having an overwhelmingly positive influence on the rest of the River North neighborhood.

One of the managers of the hotel, Colm O’Callaghan, has this to say about the impact the building has had on the devlopment of River North:

“Five, ten years ago, there really wasn’t a whole lot of activity around here. This is a vibrant community now. The investment that Mr. Trump made here – I mean, this is a significant investment, in terms of financial investment and the amount of people that are employed in this building – over 700 people working here right now. This really has become an economic engine that drives a lot of activity in this community. And I think what it also says, is it’s safe to make a major investment in this part of town, and it’s going to thrive.”

For more information about the Trump Tower, or about real estate developments in and around Chicago, check out articles like this one on the CondoDomain blog!

Suburbanites Say No to Oak Park Skyscraper

Lindsey Anderson — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:40:19 +0000

Oak Park, the Chicago suburb that is well known amongst Chicagoans for its abundance of Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings, has been receiving a lot of attention lately for another reason entirely. The Chicago-based development firm, Sertus Capital Partners, has recently announced its intention to build a 20-story glass and steel skyscraper in Oak Park. The building, if it is built according to the design presented by Sertus Capital Partners, will become the tallest in Oak Park. But many residents of the suburb believe that the building would negatively impact economic development in Oak Park. And many more of them believe that the building would be a bit of an eye sore—it would, after all, dominate the surrounding landscape, and it would probably look out of place in a small, sleepy suburb like Oak Park. What’s more, some residents say that it would also look out of place, when juxtaposed with the Wright-designed buildings that currently contribute to Oak Park’s status as a desirable place to live. For more information about real estate developments in and around the Chicago area, check out articles like this one on the CondoDomain blog!

The Chicago-based development firm, Sertus Capital Partners, has recently announced its intention to build a 20-story glass and steel skyscraper in Oak Park. The building, if it is built according to the design presented by Sertus Capital Partners, will become the tallest in Oak Park.

But many residents of the suburb believe that the building would negatively impact economic development in Oak Park. And many more of them believe that the building would be a bit of an eye sore—it would, after all, dominate the surrounding landscape, and it would probably look out of place in a small, sleepy suburb like Oak Park.

What’s more, some residents say that it would also look out of place, when juxtaposed with the Wright-designed buildings that currently contribute to Oak Park’s status as a desirable place to live.

For more information about real estate developments in and around the Chicago area, check out articles like this one on the CondoDomain blog!

10 East Delaware: Going, Going…Gone!

Kipp Blackburn — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:49:49 +0000

For the builders and brokers of the new luxury residences at 10 East Delaware in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, the housing crisis is a thing of the past. And for their buyers, the time to buy is now. In 2011 alone, nearly 25% of the 121 luxury units have sold. And just 15% of the total available units remain available for purchase. If you’ve been looking for a hot property in downtown Chicago, you’re running out of time. It just doesn’t get any hotter than 10 East Delaware. Priced between $499k for a 1 bedroom unit and $2.5M for a 3 bedroom penthouse, this is the sweet spot for properties that sell: luxury urban condos. The result of hitting a home run with home buyers is that Gold Coast is now one of the hottest markets in the nation. 10 East Delaware has three things going for it: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. The building is located on the corner of Delaware and State in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood and steps to the city’s best restaurants & shopping. The beach, or your office in downtown Chicago, are just minutes from your doorstep. Actually, there’s a lot more to it than location that make the building such a successful new construction development. Designed by world-famous architect Lucien Lagrange, 10 East Delaware boasts a classic European architecture, private services, luxury amenities, and the interior design that discerning buyers demand. Exquisite gourmet kitchens, luxury master suites, and a large private balcony grace each and every unit. Its been a long time since such a fabulous new construction building, combing both timeless architecture and a luxurious interior, has graced the Gold Coast skyline. For more information, or to schedule a private tour, don’t hesitate to contact us. CondoDomain specializes in buyer representation for clients who expect the highest level of service. Also, we reward our clients for entrusting us with their home purchase transaction. The CondoDomain cash reward for a unit at 10 East Delaware would be between $2,500 and $12,000. Call 877-852-6636; we’ll be waiting to hear from you!

Priced between $499k for a 1 bedroom unit and $2.5M for a 3 bedroom penthouse, this is the sweet spot for properties that sell: luxury urban condos. The result of hitting a home run with home buyers is that Gold Coast is now one of the hottest markets in the nation.

10 East Delaware has three things going for it: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. The building is located on the corner of Delaware and State in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood and steps to the city’s best restaurants & shopping. The beach, or your office in downtown Chicago, are just minutes from your doorstep.

Actually, there’s a lot more to it than location that make the building such a successful new construction development. Designed by world-famous architect Lucien Lagrange, 10 East Delaware boasts a classic European architecture, private services, luxury amenities, and the interior design that discerning buyers demand. Exquisite gourmet kitchens, luxury master suites, and a large private balcony grace each and every unit.

Its been a long time since such a fabulous new construction building, combing both timeless architecture and a luxurious interior, has graced the Gold Coast skyline.

For more information, or to schedule a private tour, don’t hesitate to contact us. CondoDomain specializes in buyer representation for clients who expect the highest level of service. Also, we reward our clients for entrusting us with their home purchase transaction. The CondoDomain cash reward for a unit at 10 East Delaware would be between $2,500 and $12,000. Call 877-852-6636; we’ll be waiting to hear from you!

Chicago Real Estate Trends: More Bathrooms, More Money

Lindsey Anderson — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 15:30:13 +0000

Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich has identified an interesting trend in real estate, one that affects Chicagoans in particular and Americans in general. Schmich has noticed that single bathroom homes are not selling nearly as well as they used to. In fact, they are barely selling at all. “These days, a house with a lone bathroom is only slightly more desirable than a house without a roof,” Schmich says. “In 2010, fewer than a quarter of all houses sold had only one.” Schmich went on to note that it was not uncommon for a large American family to share a single bathroom even a decade ago. But single bathroom homes are becoming increasingly uncommon these days, and home owners seem to be more and more interested in purchasing homes with two or more bathrooms. So, it would seem that at some point within the last decade or two, American men and women began to put more of a priority on the sense of privacy and convenience that comes with additional bathrooms. And, according to Schmich, this new priority has begun to significantly affect the local real estate market. “Fran Bailey, a real estate agent for Baird & Warner, says that in the last year, Chicago houses with fewer than two full bathrooms sold for 77 percent of their list price,” Schmich adds. “Those with at least two bathrooms sold for 84 percent of the asking price. The difference was even more dramatic for condos.” “Extra bathrooms can be a status symbol,” Schmich continues. “In Chicago’s swanky new homes, bathrooms sometimes outnumber bedrooms, and some are more like guest cottages, lavish spaces unoccupied except for the occasional visitor.” To see the full version of Schmich’s article check out her column here. And for more information about trends in Chicago real estate, check out articles like this one on the CondoDomain blog!

Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich has identified an interesting trend in real estate, one that affects Chicagoans in particular and Americans in general.

Schmich has noticed that single bathroom homes are not selling nearly as well as they used to. In fact, they are barely selling at all.

“These days, a house with a lone bathroom is only slightly more desirable than a house without a roof,” Schmich says. “In 2010, fewer than a quarter of all houses sold had only one.”

Schmich went on to note that it was not uncommon for a large American family to share a single bathroom even a decade ago. But single bathroom homes are becoming increasingly uncommon these days, and home owners seem to be more and more interested in purchasing homes with two or more bathrooms.

So, it would seem that at some point within the last decade or two, American men and women began to put more of a priority on the sense of privacy and convenience that comes with additional bathrooms. And, according to Schmich, this new priority has begun to significantly affect the local real estate market.

“Fran Bailey, a real estate agent for Baird & Warner, says that in the last year, Chicago houses with fewer than two full bathrooms sold for 77 percent of their list price,” Schmich adds. “Those with at least two bathrooms sold for 84 percent of the asking price. The difference was even more dramatic for condos.”

“Extra bathrooms can be a status symbol,” Schmich continues. “In Chicago’s swanky new homes, bathrooms sometimes outnumber bedrooms, and some are more like guest cottages, lavish spaces unoccupied except for the occasional visitor.”

To see the full version of Schmich’s article check out her column here. And for more information about trends in Chicago real estate, check out articles like this one on the CondoDomain blog!

Lincoln Park 2520: The Evolution of Elegance in Chicago

Liz SanFilippo — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:04:34 +0000

Lincoln Park 2520 may still be under construction on 3.25 acres of land at 2520 N. Lakeview, but it’s already shaping up to be the new standard in luxury living in Chicago. Designed by architect Lucien Lagrange, Lincoln Park 2520 offers amazing amenities inside and out of the 228 units spread across 39 floors. See photos here. Buyers can choose from 50 different floor plans that range from one bedroom condominiums to four-bedroom units and full-floor penthouses. Due to the building’s angled position, it also offers exquisite views of not only Lake Michigan, but also North Pond, Diversey Harbor, Lincoln Park, and the city skyline. Many of these units also contain spacious balconies; in fact, one of the penthouses offers a stunning outdoor space of more than 2,500 square feet. Inside the building, residents will also have access to a range of luxury amenities not often seen in condominiums throughout Chicago. In addition to a full-time concierge and 24-hour doormen and security, residents can use an indoor lap pool, sauna room, two massage treatment rooms, fitness center, billiards room, stretching/yoga room, private theater, kid’s room with an xBox and Wii, as well a club lounge area that includes a catering kitchen for private events. Outside Lincoln Park 2520, residents have yet another oasis to enjoy. As Karoline Eigel, sales and marketing for the building, says, “The green space is unlike anything in the city.” Designed by landscape architect Thomas Balsley, a private 1.25-acre park just behind the building offers a resplendent getaway only available to residents and their guests. Explore the summer and winter gardens. Take a walk around the European fountain. Let you dog enjoy the dog exercise area and puppy paw wash while children enjoy the tot lot. This private area is surely a place to get away from it all, while still being only steps away from the exciting Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago. Lincoln Park 2520 also boasts a 2.5 level underground parking garage. These spaces are deeded and are in addition to the cost of the unit. Residents can utilize the valet parking or park on their own. Guests too can use the space for a fee. Lincoln Park 2520 is managed by Draper & Kramer, and deliveries will begin in the Spring of 2012. The sales model is located in the John Hancock building and is open Monday through Friday from 11:00a.m. to 5:30p.m., Saturday from noon to 3:00p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4:00p.m. For more information about this evolution in elegance and to schedule a visit to the Lincoln Park 2520 sales office, please contact CondoDomain’s Kipp Blackburn at 312-730-3320.

Buyers can choose from 50 different floor plans that range from one bedroom condominiums to four-bedroom units and full-floor penthouses. Due to the building’s angled position, it also offers exquisite views of not only Lake Michigan, but also North Pond, Diversey Harbor, Lincoln Park, and the city skyline. Many of these units also contain spacious balconies; in fact, one of the penthouses offers a stunning outdoor space of more than 2,500 square feet.

Inside the building, residents will also have access to a range of luxury amenities not often seen in condominiums throughout Chicago. In addition to a full-time concierge and 24-hour doormen and security, residents can use an indoor lap pool, sauna room, two massage treatment rooms, fitness center, billiards room, stretching/yoga room, private theater, kid’s room with an xBox and Wii, as well a club lounge area that includes a catering kitchen for private events.

Outside Lincoln Park 2520, residents have yet another oasis to enjoy. As Karoline Eigel, sales and marketing for the building, says, “The green space is unlike anything in the city.” Designed by landscape architect Thomas Balsley, a private 1.25-acre park just behind the building offers a resplendent getaway only available to residents and their guests. Explore the summer and winter gardens. Take a walk around the European fountain. Let you dog enjoy the dog exercise area and puppy paw wash while children enjoy the tot lot. This private area is surely a place to get away from it all, while still being only steps away from the exciting Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago.

Lincoln Park 2520 also boasts a 2.5 level underground parking garage. These spaces are deeded and are in addition to the cost of the unit. Residents can utilize the valet parking or park on their own. Guests too can use the space for a fee.

Lincoln Park 2520 is managed by Draper & Kramer, and deliveries will begin in the Spring of 2012. The sales model is located in the John Hancock building and is open Monday through Friday from 11:00a.m. to 5:30p.m., Saturday from noon to 3:00p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4:00p.m.

For more information about this evolution in elegance and to schedule a visit to the Lincoln Park 2520 sales office, please contact CondoDomain’s Kipp Blackburn at 312-730-3320.

New luxury development: Lincoln Park 2520

Liz SanFilippo — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:45:49 +0000

Lincoln Park 2520 is luxurious city living at its best. This new development – located at 2520 N. Lakeview in Lincoln Park – is only steps away from the gorgeous Lake Michigan, even while offering a private sanctuary for residents. The green building will feature concierge service, as well as an oasis for residents that includes a full indoor pool, fitness center, spacious lounge, clubroom, meditation room, screening theater, and three levels of underground parking, just to name a few of the amazing amenities. Outside of the building, residents can enjoy a private one and a quarter acre park designed by the award-winning landscape architect Thomas Balsley. The park will include a fountain, sprawling gardens, a children’s playground, a dog run, and a conservatory. Lincoln Park 2520 is currently in the third phrase of construction, overseen by Walsh Construction, and will stand at 39 floors in the main tower when complete. First deliveries for units are scheduled for early 2012. Interested in the luxury living at Lincoln Park 2520? Contact CondoDomain’s Kipp Blackburn today: 312-730-3320. Photo credit: Lincoln Park 2520 [gallery]

Outside of the building, residents can enjoy a private one and a quarter acre park designed by the award-winning landscape architect Thomas Balsley. The park will include a fountain, sprawling gardens, a children’s playground, a dog run, and a conservatory.

Lincoln Park 2520 is currently in the third phrase of construction, overseen by Walsh Construction, and will stand at 39 floors in the main tower when complete.

First deliveries for units are scheduled for early 2012.

Interested in the luxury living at Lincoln Park 2520? Contact CondoDomain’s Kipp Blackburn today: 312-730-3320.

Photo credit: Lincoln Park 2520

Quick Monday: Chicago real estate round-up

Liz SanFilippo — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:14:08 +0000

Glut of foreclosures offer opportunity for buyers [Chicago Now, Home Buying Institute, Foreclosure News] Nearly half of all mortgages in Chicago are underwater, according to Zillow. Chicago is also number five in the U.S. for the fastest falling home prices. These trends are all due to the rising amount of foreclosures on the market. While this news isn’t the best for sellers, as it decreases overall real estate value, it is good for buyers, because it means that Illinois consumers can often get homes for 40% below the usual asking price, one of the highest discounts in the U.S. Many buyers and investors are recognizing this trend; after all, foreclosed homes made up 29% of all home sales in Illinois in the first quarter. As a part of this, the number of foreclosures filed has definitely increased as well, rising to 150,000 filed in 2010, compared to 45,182 in 2009. Still, the amount of foreclosures is only expected to rise, because there are quite a few homes with a first lien and have been delinquent for 90-days. When this glut of foreclosed homes gets processed, there will be even more foreclosures on the market. How have these foreclosures affected prices? Condominiums have seen the biggest drop in price, but single family homes have also decreased in price. Single-family homes are now at 2002 home value levels. Other Top News: Prices for Chicago condos, not single-family homes, fall to 2000 levels [Chicago Now] Case-Shiller index points to double dip drop in home values [Chicago Tribune] David Roeder suggests four different locations for the new Chicago casino [Chicago Sun Times] Abandoned construction site at 434 W. Melrose [Curbed Chicago] Chicago real estate similar to stock market: it’s a gamble [PRLog] Demand for retail real estate on the rise [Biz Journals]

Glut of foreclosures offer opportunity for buyers

[Chicago Now, Home Buying Institute, Foreclosure News]

Nearly half of all mortgages in Chicago are underwater, according to Zillow. Chicago is also number five in the U.S. for the fastest falling home prices. These trends are all due to the rising amount of foreclosures on the market.

While this news isn’t the best for sellers, as it decreases overall real estate value, it is good for buyers, because it means that Illinois consumers can often get homes for 40% below the usual asking price, one of the highest discounts in the U.S. Many buyers and investors are recognizing this trend; after all, foreclosed homes made up 29% of all home sales in Illinois in the first quarter.

As a part of this, the number of foreclosures filed has definitely increased as well, rising to 150,000 filed in 2010, compared to 45,182 in 2009. Still, the amount of foreclosures is only expected to rise, because there are quite a few homes with a first lien and have been delinquent for 90-days. When this glut of foreclosed homes gets processed, there will be even more foreclosures on the market.

How have these foreclosures affected prices? Condominiums have seen the biggest drop in price, but single family homes have also decreased in price. Single-family homes are now at 2002 home value levels.

Other Top News:

Prices for Chicago condos, not single-family homes, fall to 2000 levels [Chicago Now]

Case-Shiller index points to double dip drop in home values [Chicago Tribune]

David Roeder suggests four different locations for the new Chicago casino [Chicago Sun Times]

Abandoned construction site at 434 W. Melrose [Curbed Chicago]

Chicago real estate similar to stock market: it’s a gamble [PRLog]

Demand for retail real estate on the rise [Biz Journals]

Obama’s Ode to Chicago Architecture: The President Speaks at the Annual Pritzker Architecture Prize Event

Lindsey Anderson — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:49:40 +0000

President Obama spoke yesterday at the annual Pritzker Architecture Prize event, in Washington D.C. The president lightheartedly admitted in his speech that there was a time when he wanted to be an architect more than he wanted to be a politician. He also admitted that it was the city of Chicago that first piqued his interest in architecture: “As the Pritzkers and so many others here can attest, if you love architecture there are few better places to live than in my hometown of Chicago. It is the birthplace of the skyscraper—a city filled with buildings and public spaces designed by architects like Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry, who is here tonight. “In fact, the headquarters of our last campaign was in a building based on a design by Mies van der Rohe. And for two years, we crammed it full of hundreds of people working around the clock and surviving on nothing but pizza. I’m not sure if that’s what Mies had in mind, but it worked out pretty well for us. “And that’s what architecture is all about. It’s about creating buildings and spaces that inspire us, that help us do our jobs, that bring us together, and that become, at their best, works of art that we can move through and live in. And in the end, that’s why architecture can be considered the most democratic of art forms.” Obama went on to talk about the recipient of this year’s Pritzker Architecture Prize, Eduardo Souto de Moura. He also continued to talk about architecture in Chicago, going so far as to refer to the stadium Eduardo Souto de Moura designed in Braga, Portugal as a “Portugal’s version of Wrigley Field.” A full copy of Obama’s speech can be found here. And more information about Chicago’s unique architectural landscape can be found here.

“As the Pritzkers and so many others here can attest, if you love architecture there are few better places to live than in my hometown of Chicago. It is the birthplace of the skyscraper—a city filled with buildings and public spaces designed by architects like Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry, who is here tonight.

“In fact, the headquarters of our last campaign was in a building based on a design by Mies van der Rohe. And for two years, we crammed it full of hundreds of people working around the clock and surviving on nothing but pizza. I’m not sure if that’s what Mies had in mind, but it worked out pretty well for us.

“And that’s what architecture is all about. It’s about creating buildings and spaces that inspire us, that help us do our jobs, that bring us together, and that become, at their best, works of art that we can move through and live in. And in the end, that’s why architecture can be considered the most democratic of art forms.”

Obama went on to talk about the recipient of this year’s Pritzker Architecture Prize, Eduardo Souto de Moura. He also continued to talk about architecture in Chicago, going so far as to refer to the stadium Eduardo Souto de Moura designed in Braga, Portugal as a “Portugal’s version of Wrigley Field.”

A full copy of Obama’s speech can be found here. And more information about Chicago’s unique architectural landscape can be found here.