The Sky's the Limit: A Century of Chicago Skyscrapers (Hardcover)

by Pauline A. Saliga (Editor), John Zukowsky (Introduction), Jane H. Clarke (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
More than any other city, Chicago is closely associated with the development of the skyscraper. This lavishly illustrated survey shows why. Many of the 100 or so buildings depicted are already architectural icons, among them Adler and Sullivan's Auditorium Building, Helmut Jahn's State of Illinois Center, and SOM's John Hancock Center. John Zukowsky's introduction provides a clear overview of the skyscraper's development, its technological achievements, and aesthetic considerations; concise descriptions and insightful critiques of specific buildings follow in chronological order. An epilog illustrating 13 projects in progress completes this handsome and indispensable volume. Highly recommended for anyone interested in American architecture.
- H. Ward Jandl, National Park Svce., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
This generously illustrated survey of the Chicago skyscraper traces the fascinating history of the great Chicago School of Architecture, which came into existence in the 1880s and influenced generations of architects worldwide. Beginning with such landmarks as the S.S. Beman Fine Arts Building of 1885 and its neighbor, the Adler and Sullivan Auditorium of 1889, the authors discuss more than a hundred extant buildings dating from 1885 through 1990, including the Wrigley Building of 1922, the Merchandise Mart of 1931, the Inland Steel Building of 1958, and the phenomenal Sears Tower, which from 1974 to 1996, held the title of world's tallest building. The book concludes with a series of skyscrapers in progress by a new generation of architects who have a strong sense of the city's history yet embrace modern technology and styles. Profiles of Chicago's major architectural firms complete the volume.


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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli International Publications; Rei Sub edition (August 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847821048
• ISBN-13: 978-0847821044
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,785,529 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, Descriptive, Excellent, December 30, 2003

By	Tom (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

One of the greatest books on Chicago Architecture that I've read. I reccomend this book to anyone with even the slightest intrest in architecture or this great city. Perfect, scholarly writing skills. Couldn't ask for anything more. In one word: Perfect.

2 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Los viejos y nuevos edificios de la ciudad de Chicago, July 19, 1999

By A Customer

Las tipologías de edificios que se encuentran en la ciudad de chicago, desde los viejos donde los materiales crean la apariencia pesada de una masa que se extiende o intenta extenderse al cielo hasta los modernos que parecieran realizar un pequeño esfuerzo para alcanzar tales alturas.