New City named me one of the 50 people who influence Chicago architecture and design. (Ed Keegan at the Trib, too.)

A follow-up to yesterday's OPC critique. "StudioEIS anailed the details, such as the waves in Barack Obama’s close-cropped hair and Michelle’s stylish sheath dress and matching coat, created by fashion designer Isabel Toledo."

At last! Tuesday's architecture column critiques the Obama Presidential Center. Last year, I said the museum tower "looks funereal enough to fit in at ... Oak Woods Cemetery." But after spending time last week on the completed campus and inside its buildings, I gotta say I like it.

I told man that I dig his drip. I think he said he got it from Senegal.

At the presidential center today. Had to visit the Waving Obamas.

It is with deep sorrow and profound love that we announce the passing of Sonny Rollins. The Saxophone Colossus died this afternoon at his home in Woodstock, NY at the age of 95. 1/2

My architecture column this weekend. A city-owned 1870 landmark deserves better. And so does the Washington Park neighborhood in which it sits.

My architecture column today. The old Diplomat gets a new assignment. #architecture #gensler #chicago #shelter

Schlitz Beer announced its ending production after 175 years in the biz. During its heyday, the company made lots of really good tv commercials, including this 1981 banger featuring the Commodores. #schlitz #lionelrichie #thecommodores

Right on, right on.

While nothing can replace Rizzoli at Water Tower Place, the Prairie Avenue Bookshop, or the shuttered big room at the Art Institute, New City's Joseph Cothrel profiles a surprising large list of Chicago bookstores offering major selections in art and Architecture. art.newcity.com/2026/05/13/a...

My full critique of the Obama Center will come next month. Here's what I wrote after touring the site last November.

My column on the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times today: www.everygoddamnday.com/2026/05/augu...

Come check me out Wednesday. I'll be showing images from my upcoming West Side architecture book. (And it's free).

The top of the rock. The fed's Metropolitan Correctional Center, 71 W. Van Buren. Harry Weese, 1975.

When the Obama Presidential Center opens next month, and its funders are honored and congratulated, there are two major financial contributors worthy of a bow or two: Chicago and Illinois taxpayers.

I spoke today at the First Friday Club of Chicago lunch at the Union League Club. Also there: The Leo High School Choir. The gents got down -- as usual. And finally met the school's principal Dr Shaka Rawls, whose work I've long admired.

My architecture column today. Good news for historic Bryn Mawr Avenue and downtown's former Chicago Daily News Building.

Today at the Chicago Architecture Center gift shop. Kamin and Bey together again.

Got it framed for my home office.

Missiles of October, a two-night ABC TV teleplay from 1974 about the Cuban missile crisis. And William Devane was a darn good JFK.

@mlamster.bsky.social Mark, congrats!!

My architecture column today. Can the United Center's redevelopment project help the Near West Side's Greater Union Baptist Church, a 140-year-old William Le Baron Jenney-designed landmark with just 40 members that has been closed for services since 2022?

The nation's Bicentennial had the country jazzed 50 years ago. An example: This segment of Vincent Collins' 1975 film "200."

Had a great time at my talk last night at the Riverside Public Library. Thanks to the library and the Olmsted Society for inviting me -- and giving me the chance to spot this Harvey Ellis inlay cube chair. I'd only seen these in pictures.

The company I keep outside the Riverside Public Library as I get ready for my 7pm talk there this evening.

At Greater Union Baptist Church this morning, 1956 W. Warren Blvd, 1886, William Le Baron Jenney, architect.

I'm off this week, but the architecture beat doesn't sleep. Will be talking about the architecture of the West Side (and showing images on that subject from my next book), 7:00pm – 8:30pm, Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, Riverside, IL

The backside of the Pullman National Historical Park Visitor Center, 111th & Cottage Grove. Originally the Pullman Factory Administration Building, designed by Solon Beman, 1880. (song is Get it up for Love, by Tata Vega, 1979)

My architecture column this weekend. “People are going to be amazed by the work,” the Rev. Reshorna Fitzpatrick, chairperson of Friends of Sears Sunken Garden’s board, said.

I gave an architecture talk at the Admiral residences on Foster Avenue tonight. At dinner there, I met Garçon, the robot server. I'd never saw one of these before.

My architecture column today. "The university’s decision places in limbo a landmarked 1,400-seat Beaux Art playhouse designed by Benjamin H. Marshall, one of Chicago’s preeminent architects."

Now on Blu-ray: 1969's Marlowe, starring James Garner. I've seen this movie a dozen times and can't fully explain the plot ... and it doesn't matter. Jim's an absolute blast bluffing and wisecracking his way through a missing person's case that throws everything at him but the kitchen sink.

The first Richard Kimble searched Chicago for the One-Armed Man, too.

Another day, another event. Getting ready now for an artist's talk at Soho House with my bud, the remarkable photographer Howard Simmons. (You can see him in the back on the left.)

Happy birthday to #herbiehancock!

The Glasshouse Theatre, a new venue at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane, Australia

For the first time in 30 years, one of the extremely unusual Market Square buildings in Pullman is for sale. Four matching buildings were constructed a decade after the original Pullman factory town, initially housing guests of the Pullman Company during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

About 10 mins before showtime at the Beverly Arts Center last night. The place wound up almost filling up. Big thanks to the Ridge Historical Society for inviting me to talk about the architecture of the South and Far South sides.

The good folk at the village of Dolton asked me if I wanted a tour of Pope Leo's childhood home. Who could say no to that? So I checked it out today. Kids from one of the local high schools crafted the benches.

If I do a new version of my Southern Exposure book, the late and woefully unsung Bill Pavlecic's St Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church 3737 E. 114th is in. Did quick shots for a talk I'm giving today, but want to revisit. Modeled after a 15th century Serbian monastery ... but built in 1968.

These birds ain't loyal.

Over the Calumet River at 106th Street this afternoon, the city flexes its big shoulders once more. (Song playing is "She Wants to Move," by N.E.R.D.)

Drinking coffee at my favorite spot again this morning, watching the turbine at the Method Soap factory on 111th in Pullman. (And the song is "Function at the Junction," by Shorty Long.)

My weekend architecture column looks @ the Obama Presidential Center's full-size Oval Office reproduction. "Virtually everything that was in the Obama-era Oval Office — furniture, books, carpet, artwork down to the smallest detail — will be created in the new space."

Returning from an errand a couple of days ago, I had to stop by the Greenstone UMC bell tower restoration here in Pullman, which is just starting. What a beautiful building. (And I happened to be listening to Eighties, the 1985 tune by Killing Joke. Don't judge me.

My architecture column today. If approved this afternoon, the building’s most significant features including the complex’s dazzling Jazz Age first-and second-floor lobby spaces would be protected.

FREE HENRY MOORE! lost in the debate over city hall has been the fate of “three forms vertebrae,” aka “the dallas piece,” the long-neglected site specific henry moore sculpture that has long sat in a cage of security barriers on city hall plaza. www.dallasnews.com/arts-enterta...

My architecture column today. The 24-foot gold statue, erected in 1918 to commemorate the 1893 World's Fair, will get re-gilded for the first time in 33 years.

Today's architecture column. "The project is the first substantial exterior repair Greenstone Church has seen since its 1882 construction."