| Dates: | 1992-2006 |
| Size: | 60 linear feet in 28 boxes, includes 13 VHS videos, 746 photographs, 6 CDs, 105 oversize folders/items, 18 artifacts, 1.11 GB electronic files |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Collection Number: | spe-nhrc-mpi |
| Immediate Source of Acquisition: | Millennium Park Inc. designated the Chicago Public Library as the official repository for its archives in 2005, one year after the Park opened to the public. The collection represents donations from the Millennium Park Office itself. The initial donation consisted of around 100 presentation boards concerned primarily with the Garden Competition that resulted in the Lurie Garden. The next donation consisted of 11 boxes and 8 architectural models. Both donations were processed together in 2006. Mark Sexton donated a set of construction plans and a sample of the corner brick used in Crown Fountain in 2010. |
| Conditions Governing Access: | Materials are open without restrictions. |
| Physical Location Note: | Oversized Folders and Artifacts are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please request materials at least 24-hours prior to your research visit to coordinate access. |
| Conditions Governing Use: | Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection. For some of the items, research copies may be made, but permission must be obtained from the Artist for other uses. |
| Preferred Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Millennium Park Inc. Records [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library. |
| Finding Aid Author: | Morag Walsh, 2006. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Michelle McCoy, 2022. |
Abstract
Millennium Park, Inc. Records contain information from the early planning stage of Chicago’s “Lakefront Millennium Project” in 1998 through the completion and opening of Millennium Park in 2004. The majority of the collection consists of presentation boards showing elevations, site plans, renderings and architectural sections of the various sites in the park. The sites represented in the collection include the Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion and the B.P. Pedestrian Bridge, designed by Frank Gehry; Cloud Gate, designed by Anish Kapoor; Crown Fountain, designed by Jaume Plensa; the Lurie Garden, designed by Gustafson, Guthrie, Nichol, Ltd.; Millennium Monument and Wrigley Square; the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, designed by Thomas Beeby; the Exelon Pavilions, designed by Thomas Beeby and Renzo Piano; and the Boeing Galleries. There are several artifacts in the collection including a scale model of Cloud Gate, architectural models of the Lurie Garden by the three finalists in the international garden competition, models of the Crown Fountain and a model of the Millennium Monument, or Peristyle, in Wrigley Square. See also photographs from the Millennium Park, U.S. Equities Realty Collection in the Library’s Millennium Park Digital Collection.
Biographical/Historical
In 1852 the City of Chicago granted a right of way to the Illinois Central Railroad (ICR) if it would construct a breakwater along the lakefront, from 12th Street to Randolph Street, to protect the lakeshore from erosion. So began an occupation of some of Chicago’s prime real estate for 145 years. Popular belief held that the ICR owned the property. Over the years, several plans to construct a park in this area were suggested and they all foundered for one reason or another. However, each plan, including Burnham and Bennett’s 1909 Plan for Chicago, worked around the land occupied by ICR. The site remained an eyesore as downtown Chicago grew taller and real estate prices soared.
In 1996 the Chicago Park District’s General Counsel and Lakefront Director, Randall Mehrberg, began to investigate the ownership of that parcel of land. Amazingly, he found that the City did not cede the land to ICR in 1852, rather they allowed an easement as long as the site was being used for railroad purposes. Clearly, by 1996, the land, an unpaved parking lot used by ICR subsidiary employees, was no longer being used for rail transportation. Consequently, the Chicago Park District filed a lawsuit terminating the easement. As a result of the lawsuit, the ICR donated the rights, title and interest in the disputed land to the City in December 1997. This became the site of Millennium Park.
Millennium Park is the culmination of a massive public and private collaboration to bring to Chicago a lakefront park with world-class sculpture and architecture. The Park is also the largest green roof in the world, at 1,067,220 square feet, or 24 ½ acres, over parking garages.
In March 1998 Mayor Richard M. Daley asked John Bryan, CEO of the Sara Lee Corporation, to raise $30 million in private donations to offset the cost of the Park to taxpayers. This private money was to pay for "enhancements" on top of the parking garage. John Bryan had previously been involved with a campaign that raised over $100 million in private donations to renovate Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, home of the Chicago Symphony, and the Civic Opera House of Chicago. Thus, Bryan was already a well-known and proven fund-raiser in Chicago.
Bryan had far more ambitious hopes for these "enhancements" for the Park. He hired James Feldstein to help raise funds and he put together a "Blue Ribbon Committee" comprised of fellow corporate officials with experience in civic and cultural affairs to coordinate the effort. This committee evolved into the Millennium Park Board of Directors.
In August 1998 Mayor Richard M. Daley asked the Chicago Park District’s Ed Uhlir to serve as project director of Millennium Park. Uhlir’s extensive experience as the Park District’s Chief Architect, Director of Engineering and Director of Research and Planning gave him the required knowledge to manage the construction of Millennium Park. Furthermore, Uhlir’s congenial personality, combined with his skills in art, planning and architecture, was instrumental in convincing Frank Gehry to build in Chicago.
Originally budgeted to cost $150 million and scheduled to open in 2000, Millennium Park eventually cost $475 million opening in July 2004, with $173.5 million coming from the private sector. The original plans for the Park were far more modest than what was eventually built and this, in part, accounted for the increased costs.
As the size of the Park grew, from 16 acres to 24.5 acres, "enhancements" were added as more corporations and individuals donated more and more money. The increased donations enabled the planners to attract acclaimed architect, Frank O. Gehry, to build the Pritzker Pavilion and his first-ever pedestrian bridge. Spanish artist Jaumé Plensa, was commissioned to design the water feature, the Crown Fountain, and British artist Anish Kapoor, was selected to design his dramatic Cloud Gate. An international garden design competition resulted in 11 of the world’s most accomplished landscape architects submitting entries for the Lurie Garden. Internationally acclaimed landscape architects Kathryn Gustafson and Partners won the competition.
The increased costs were not all attributed to these "enhancements," however. An existing underground parking garage had to be essentially torn out and replaced; the size of the Park increased by almost 50 percent; and the decision to "fast track" the construction [when construction begins before the final plans are completed] trying to get the Park open in the year 2000 caused much work to be done, and then redone. During construction, the Park underwent dramatic transformations. In one year, over 1,000 design revisions were issued by the City causing costs to rise.
Despite much negative publicity during construction, both Chicagoans and visitors to Chicago have embraced Millennium Park wholeheartedly since it opened. Crown Fountain is a firm favorite with children on hot summer days while the Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion continues to impress concertgoers and architectural enthusiasts for different reasons. The Lurie Garden continues to grow into its 10-year plan, attracting wildlife, nature lovers and people seeking a quiet, serene space in the heart of Chicago. Cloud Gate continues to "wow" spectators, its seamless skin inviting people to touch as they encounter the art. In cold weather the McCormick Tribune Plaza and Ice Rink continues to draw people to the Park.
For a more detailed history of Millennium Park, researchers are encouraged to consult Timothy J. Gilfoyle’s Millennium Park: Creating a Chicago Landmark, published in 2006 in Chicago by the University of Chicago Press. F548.65.M55G55 2006
For a thorough history of the international garden design competition that resulted in the Lurie Garden, please see Constructed Ground: The Millennium Garden Design Competition by Charles Waldheim, published for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs by the University of Illinois Press, Urbana, Illinois, 2001. SB466.U65C568 2001
For information about the construction of Millennium Park, researchers should consult Better Than Perfect: The Making of Chicago’s Millennium Park, by Robert Sharoff, privately published by Walsh Construction Co., W.E. O’Neil Construction Co., U.S. Equities Realty, in Chicago, Illinois, 2004. F548.65.M55S43 2004
Scope and Contents
The Millennium Park Inc. Records contain information from the early planning stages of Chicago’s "Lakefront Millennium Project" in 1998 through the completion and opening of the Park in July 2004. The overwhelming majority of the collection consists of presentation boards showing elevations, site plans, renderings and architectural sections of the various sites of the Park. The international garden competition, which resulted in the construction of the Lurie Garden, is particularly well represented, with presentation boards from all 11 entrants and with architectural models from the 3 finalists. Additional models from the winner of the garden competition show a more developed plan; there are two models of Crown Fountain, one showing the inside structure of the towers; there is a model of Cloud Gate; and there is a model of the Millennium Monument and Wrigley Square, the latter models are currently on exhibit on the 8th floor of the Harold Washington Library Center.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
The collection includes six CDs with audiovisual recordings and photographs. Copies of the CD contents can be viewed as electronic files in the Special Collections Reading Room.
Arrangement
There was no existing organization to the Millennium Park Inc. Records when they arrived at the Library. The archivist organized the collection by the park feature with an additional category for other general administrative activities.
The records are arranged into 9 series:
- Series 1: Administrative and Planning, 1992-2006, undated
- Series 2: Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion and BP Bridge, 1999-2004
- Series 3: Cloud Gate, 1999-2006, undated
- Series 4: Crown Fountain, 1999-2003, undated
- Series 5: Lurie Garden, 2000-2002
- Series 6: Millennium Monument and Wrigley Square, 2000-2002
- Series 7: Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 1999-2003
- Series 8: Exelon Pavilions/Exelon Gallery, 2003-2004
- Series 9: Boeing Galleries, circa 2005, undated
Subject Headings
- Beeby, Thomas H.
- Cloud Gate (Chicago, Ill.)
- Footbridges -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Frank O. Gehry and Associates
- Gardens -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Gehry, Frank O., 1929-
- Grant Park (Chicago, Ill.)
- Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Kapoor, Anish, 1954-
- Lurie Garden (Chicago, Ill.)
- Millennium Park Inc.
- Millennium Park Project
- Monuments -- Illinois -- Chicago
- O'Donnell Wicklund Pigozzi and Peterson, Architects, Inc.
- Outdoor concert facilities -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Parks -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Piano, Renzo
- Plensa, Jaume, 1955-
- Public sculpture -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
- U.S. Equities Realty
- Walsh Construction Company
Related Collections
- Chicago Park District Records: Drawings
- Chicago Park District Records: Photographs
- Gilfoyle. Timothy J. Millennium Park: Creating a Chicago Landmark, published in Chicago, Illinois in 2006. F548.65.M55G55 2006
- Illinois Central Railroad Photograph Album
- Millennium Park: U.S. Equities Realty Collection
- Open Space Records
Collection Inventory
Series 1: Administrative and Planning, 1992-2006, undated
Scope and Contents
Series 1 contains agendas, budgets, maps, meeting notes, oral histories, organizational charts, photographs, plans, presentation boards, reports and video recordings related to the overall creation of Millennium Park and its opening celebrations.
Arrangement
Series 1 is arranged into four subseries:
- Subseries A: Documents, 1992-2006, undated
- Subseries B: Oral Histories, 2005
- Subseries C: Audiovisual Materials, 1999-2005
- Subseries D: Opening Celebration, 2004 July 16-19
Subseries A: Documents, 1992-2006, undated
Scope and Contents
Subseries A spans the planning documentation process to promotional materials created in the years following the opening celebrations. The subseries contains a wide range of materials including architectural renderings, design guidelines, meeting materials, news clippings, presentation panels, public process documentation and reports related to the creation and planning of the Millennium Park site.
Conditions Governing Use
Research copies may be made of the presentation boards, but permission must be obtained from the Artist for other uses.
Arrangement
Subseries A is arranged mostly in chronological order with undated materials at the end.
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Chicago Park District, Grant Park Design Guidelines, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | Public Process Documentation, news clippings, 1998 January-July |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Public Process Documentation, Grant Park Advisory Council, meeting, 1998 April 1 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Public Process Documentation, Lakefront Alliance for Transportation Planning, meeting, 1998 April 3 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Public Process Documentation, Chicago Central Area Committee, meeting, 1998 April 13 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Public Process Documentation, public hearing at Chicago Cultural Center, 1998 April 14 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Public Process Documentation, Friends of the Parks, meeting, 1998 April 15 |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | Public Process Documentation, Grant Park Advisory Council, meeting, 1998 April 15 |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | Public Process Documentation, Metropolitan Planning Council, meeting, 1998 April 17 |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | Public Process Documentation, Central Michigan Avenue Association, meeting, 1998 April 22 |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | Public Process Documentation, Chicago Park District, Board of Commissioners’ Approval of Resolution for Lakefront Millennium Project, 1998 April 22 |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | Public Process Documentation, Openlands Project, meeting, 1998 April 30 |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | Public Process Documentation, Commercial Club of Chicago, Civic Committee, meeting, 1998 May 12 |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | Public Process Documentation, Chicago Park District, Board of Commissioners’, meeting, 1998 May 13 |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | Public Process Documentation, Chicago Plan Commission, minutes, 1998 May 14 |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | Public Process Documentation, Public Design Workshop, meeting, 1998 June 9 |
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | Public Process Documentation, City Council Proceedings, meeting, 1998 June 10 |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | Public Process Documentation, Public Design Workshop, meeting, 1998 July 9 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Public Process Documentation, memoranda, news release, 1998 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Current Status of Tree Purchasing, report by Daniel Weinbach & Partners Ltd., 1998 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Lakefront Millennium Project, executive meeting, agenda and planning materials, 1998 June-August |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Grant Park, The Trench Campus Museum, A Holistic Approach, report by Walter A. Netsch, F.A.I.A., circa 1998 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Lakefront Millennium Project, Communications Proposal, report by KemperLesnik Communications, 1998 |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | News clippings, 1998 November-1999 December |
| Oversize Folder D4 | Presentation board - “Lakefront Millennium Project, Current Site Plan,” Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), 36" x 29", 1998 | |
| Oversize Folder D8 | Presentation board - Lakefront Millennium Project, Michigan Avenue elevation (shows Randolph, Washington, Madison, Monroe streets with Music and Dance Theater and sculpture), Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), 94" x 15", 1998 | |
| Oversize Folder D9 | Presentation board - Lakefront Millennium Project, Michigan Avenue elevation (shows Music and Dance Theater and sculpture), McDonough, Associates Inc., Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), 94" x 15", 1998 | |
| Oversize Folder D10 | Presentation board - Lakefront Millennium Project, Randolph Street elevation, SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, 94" x 15", 1998 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | SOM, Specialty Structures, booklet by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, 1998 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Millennium Park Project, Public Campaign Strategy, 1999 |
| Box 1 | Folder 27 | Council for Economic Development, Economic Development Commentary, 1999 Spring |
| Box 1 | Folder 25 | Public Process Documentation, New Eastside Association of Residents (NEAR), meeting, 1999 July 20 |
| Box 11 | Folder A1 | Chicago Park District Parking Facilities, Theme Graphics Program, Simon Design, 1999 November |
| Box 20 | Folder C18 | Presentation board - before construction began on site, shows surface parking lot, train tracks, looking south, photographs by Gary Taber, 1999 December 3 |
| Box 11 | Folder A2 | Chicago Park District Parking Facilities, Theme Graphics Program, Simon Design, 1999 December |
| Oversize D103 | Presentation board - construction site, looking south-west, photographs by Gary Taber, 60" x 40", 1999 December 3 | |
| Box 17 | Folders B19-B24 | Presentation board - construction site, photographs by Gary Taber (5 boards), 1999 December 3 |
| Box 11 | Folder A5 | Millennium Park, Anticipated Completion for Base Park Scheme, architectural drawings and site plan (hand-colored original and 2 copies), 2000 February |
| Box 11 | Folder A3 | Millennium Park, Anticipated Completion for Garage, architectural drawings with sections (hand-colored original and 2 copies), 2000 February |
| Box 11 | Folder A6 | Millennium Park, Base Park Scheme, architectural drawings and site plan (hand-colored original and 2 copies), 2000 February |
| Box 11 | Folder A4 | Millennium Park, Donor Elements, architectural drawings and site plan (hand-colored original and 2 copies), 2000 February |
| Box 1 | Folder 28 | Laying the Groundwork for Chicago’s Central Area Plan, Phase I, progress report, 2000 |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Chicago Park District Parking Facilities, Millennium Garage, Architectural Signage and Theme Graphics Program, construction documents, bid set, includes 4 pull-out plans, 2001 |
| Box 1 | Folder 29 | “Guiding Themes, Visions and Policies for Chicago’s Central Area,” discussion draft, 2001 |
| Box 1 | Folder 30 | Millennium Park Case Study, report by Scott Garland, Kim Maas, 2001 Spring |
| Box 19 | Folder C7 | “The Trees of Chicago’s Lakefront Millennium Park,” Terry Guen Design Associates, Inc., presentation board, 2001 |
| Box 16 | Folder B9 | Tree species placement, hand-colored architectural rendering, 2001 July 1 |
| Box 16 | Folder B10 | Tree species placement, hand-colored architectural rendering, 2001 November 15 |
| Box 16 | Folder B11 | Tree species placement, hand-colored architectural rendering, 2001 December 15 |
| Box 16 | Folder B12 | Tree species placement, hand-colored architectural rendering, 2002 Summer |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Chicago Park District/Grant Park Steering Committee, Grant Park Framework Plan, A Plan for Restoration and Development, includes history of Grant Park, 2002 |
| Box 11 | Folder A10 | Presentation board - site plan showing where ovolos are to be placed, Vignelli Associates, 2002 |
| Box 11 | Folder A7 | The Heritage at Millennium Park, condominium sales brochure, 2003 |
| Oversize Folder D105 | Millennium Park, Randolph Plaza, Design Development Planting Plan, Terry Guen Design Associates, Inc., 36" x 29", 2003 | |
| Box 11 | Folder A8 | Park Grill Logo Designs, VSA Partners, with handwritten notes by Ed Uhlir, 2003 |
| Box 16 | Folder B13 | The Terraces at Millennium Park, Garofalo Architects and Xavier Vendrell Studio, 2003 |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | Art Institute of Chicago, relationship with Millennium Park, 2004 |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | Chicago Architecture Foundation, Long and Short WalkingTours, brochure, 2004 |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | Chicago Magazine’s Chicagoan of the Year, honoring John H. Bryan, luncheon program, 2004 |
| Box 17 | Folder B15 | Presentation boards - Bench Schematic Ideas, Gustafson, Guthrie, Nichol Ltd. (3 2-sided boards), 2004 March 8 |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Millennium Park Map and Key, shows garage parking and transportation, 2004 |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | News clippings, 2001 August 5-2004 July 15 |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | News clippings, 2004 July 16-2004 July 23 |
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | News clippings, 2004 July 26-2005 February 18 |
| Box 16 | Folder B14 | Presentation boards - Removable Aluminum Fences Proposal, Environ, Harley Ellis (3 boards), 2004 |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | Cover letter removed from Better Than Perfect: The Making of Chicago’s Millennium Park, by Robert Sharoff, privately published for Walsh Construction Company, W.E. O’Neil Construction Company, and U.S. Equities Realty (Call number: F548.65.M55S43), circa 2004 |
| Box 17 | Folder B16 | Millennium Park Initial Logo Presentation, Brainforest, Strategically Informed Communication (2 copies), 2005 |
| Box 3 | Folder 13 | Brochure - Explore Millennium Park through the Self-Guided Audio Tour, 2006 |
| Box 3 | Folder 12 | Brochure - Free Guided Tours of the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, 2006 |
| Box 3 | Folder 9 | Brochure - Free Summer Events ’06, 2006 |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 | Brochure - In Search of Paradise: Great Gardens of the World, exhibit in Boeing Galleries, 2006 |
| Box 3 | Folder 8 | Brochure - Lurie Garden Guide (2 copies), 2006 |
| Box 3 | Folder 14 | Brochure - McDonald’s Cycle Center, Bike Rentals & Tours, 2006 |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | Brochure - Millennium Park Chicago (2 copies), 2006 |
| Box 3 | Folder 15 | Brochure - Millennium Park Workouts, 2006 |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 | Brochure - Technosphere Art, Exelon Corporation, 2006 |
| Box 16 | Folders B1-B8 | McCann, Michael, vision of Millennium Park, copies of 8 watercolor illustrations, undated |
| Box 11 | Folder A11 | Presentation board - bench and trash receptacle designs, undated |
| Oversize Folder D2 | Presentation board - Chicago’s Millennium Park Map, 41" x 31", undated | |
| Box 11 | Folder A9 | Presentation board - details of lettering to be carved onto stone, undated |
| Box 19 | Folder C2 | Presentation board - details of proposed permanent donor recognition walls and locations, O'Donnell Wicklund Pigozzi and Peterson, Architects (OWP&P), undated |
| Box 19 | Folder C1 | Presentation board - façade detail of temporary fabric design, McCormick Tribune Plaza, undated |
| Box 19 | Folder C5 | Presentation board - Information Panel, BP Bridge, undated |
| Box 19 | Folder C3 | Presentation board - Information Panel, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, undated |
| Box 19 | Folder C4 | Presentation board - Information Panel, Lurie Garden, undated |
| Box 19 | Folder C6 | Presentation board - Information Panel, Sculpture on the SBC Plaza, Crown Fountain, undated |
| Oversize Folder D1 | Presentation board - Millennium Park, cake beneath the icing, A.C.E.C. (American Council of Engineering Companies) Illinois, honor award, 30" x 30", undated | |
| Box 11 | Folder A12 | Presentation board - Millennium Park Mural Project, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, undated |
| Oversize Folder D3 | Presentation board - “Shrubs for Millennium Terrace Planters, Plans,” Terry Guen Design Associates Inc., 40" x 32", undated | |
| Oversize Folder D5 | Presentation board - site plan, O'Donnell Wicklund Pigozzi and Peterson, Architects (OWP&P), 23" x 33", undated | |
| Oversize Folder D7 | Presentation board - South Lawn and Fountain, Millennium Terrace Sky View, Millennium Terrace, Michael McCann watercolor illustrations, 46" x 23", undated | |
| Oversize Folder D6 | Presentation board - “Views from Preferred Landing Zone [of BP Bridge],” drawings and photographs by Ed Uhlir, 30" x 40", undated |
Series 1: Administrative and Planning, 1992-2006, undated
Subseries B: Oral Histories, 2005
Scope and Contents
Subseries B contains recordings and transcripts that were created as part of the Millennium Park Oral History Project to capture the planning experience. The discussions include the following directors and managers: Liz Edwards, Special Projects Manager; Joe Nagle, Director of Operations; Rob Omoris, John Bryan’s Administrator; David Ortega, Director of Private Meetings and Events; Colleen Schuetz, Head Horticulturalist; and Ed Uhlir, Director of Design, Architecture and Landscape.
Arrangement
Subseries B is arranged alphabetically by the last name of the first named interviewee.
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, overview, 2005 August |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 9 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, interview with Liz Edwards, Special Projects Manager, Rob Omoris, John Bryan’s Administrator, VHS tape (32 minutes), 2005 August 9 |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, interview with Liz Edwards, Special Projects Manager, Rob Omoris, John Bryan’s Administrator, transcriptions, 2005 August 9 |
| Box 9 | CD 5 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, interview with Liz Edwards, Special Projects Manager, and Rob Omoris, John Bryan’s Administrator, CD (32 minutes), (Do not issue CD, use Electronic Files), 2005 August 9 |
| Box 9 | CD 4 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, interview with Joe Nagle, Director of Operations, and David Ortega, Director of Private Meetings and Events, CD recording (53 minutes) (Do not issue CD, use Electronic Files), 2005 August 8 |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, interview with Joe Nagle, Director of Operations, transcription, 2005 August 8 |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 8 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, interview with Joe Nagle, Director of Operations, and David Ortega, Director of Private Meetings and Events, VHS tape (53 minutes), 2005 August 8 |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, David Ortega, Director of Private Meetings and Events, interview, transcription, 2005 August 8 |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, interview with Colleen Schuetz, Head Horticulturalist, transcription, 2005 August 10 |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 10 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, interview with Colleen Schuetz, Head Horticulturalist, VHS tape (29 minutes), 2005 August 10 |
| Box 9 | CD 3 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, interview with Ed Uhlir, Director of Design, Architecture and Landscape, CD (45 minutes) (Do not issue CD, use Electronic Files), 2005 August 2 |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, interview with Ed Uhlir, Director of Design, Architecture and Landscape, transcription, 2005 August 2 |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 7 | Millennium Park Oral History Project, interview with Ed Uhlir, Director of Design, Architecture and Landscape, VHS tape (45 minutes), 2005 August 2 |
Series 1: Administrative and Planning, 1992-2006, undated
Subseries C: Audiovisual Materials, 1999-2005
Scope and Contents
Subseries C contains videotape virtual tours of the proposed park, news reports on the park’s construction, a public presentation and 380 photographs on a CD. Photographs of the opening celebrations are included in Subseries D.
Arrangement
Subseries C is arranged mostly in chronological order.
| Box 8 | Videocassette 1 | Lakefront Millennium Project, virtual tour of early design with musical soundtrack, presented by the City of Chicago, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP, and McDonough Associates Inc., produced by Envision Digital Imaging, VHS tape (2 minutes, 42 seconds), 1999 February 1 |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 2 | Lakefront Millennium Project, virtual tour of early design with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and nature sounds soundtrack, presented by the City of Chicago, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP, and McDonough Associates Inc., produced by Envision Digital Imaging, VHS tape (2 minutes, 43 seconds) [Same as Videocassette 1 but different soundtrack], 1999 March 4 |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 3 | Lakefront Millennium Project, virtual tour of early design, (Same as Videocassettes 1 and 2 but no opening or closing credits or any sound) [Presented by the City of Chicago, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP, and McDonough Associates Inc., produced by Envision Digital Imaging], VHS tape (2 minutes, 13 seconds), circa 1999 |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 4 | “The Millennium Park Report Package,” WLS-TV, Chicago Eyewitness News, report and interview with Ed Uhlir on plans and early stages of construction, by Martha Valerio, Art Institute of Chicago student, VHS tape (2 minutes), 2001 February 24 |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 5 | “Millennium Park,” public presentation and slide show given by Ed Uhlir outlining the history of Grant Park and the future plans for the site, VHS tape (60 minutes; video out of focus), 2003 March 6 |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 6 | “Millennium Park,” WFLD-TV, Fox News at 9, report and interview with Ed Uhlir touring the construction site at Millennium Park, by Mark Suppelsa. VHS tape (4 minutes, 35 seconds), 2004 April 15 |
| Box 9 | CD 6 | Millennium Park, 379 color photographs by Ricardo Phillips, CD (Do not issue CD, use Electronic Files), 2005 May-August |
Series 1: Administrative and Planning, 1992-2006, undated
Subseries D: Opening Celebrations, 2004 July 16-18
Scope and Contents
Subseries D contains a selection of artifacts, documents and photographs that were created for the opening weekend celebrations of Millennium Park, July 16-18, 2004. Researchers should also consult the Millennium Park Oral History Project files in the General Series (Box 3, Folder 5; Videocassette 9; and CD 5).
Arrangement
Subseries D is arranged alphabetically by item or event.
| Box 4 | Folder 5 | Brochure, Millennium Park Free Grand Opening Celebration, 2004 July 16-18 |
| Box 4 | Folder 4 | Brochure, Millennium Park Schedule and Map, 2004 July 16-18 |
| Artifact 2006.20 | Chicago Architecture Foundation docent t-shirt [Missing], 2004 | |
| Box 21 | Artifact 2006.26 | Disposable camera for volunteers to use at events and instructions, 2004 |
| Box 4 | Folder 6 | Grant Park Music Festival, Pritzker Premiere Weekend, booklet, 2004 July 16-18 |
| Box 4 | Folder 12 | Inaugural Gala, booklet, 2004 July 24 |
| Box 21 | Artifact 2006.21 | Inaugural Gala, circular metal pins (3) worn by construction workers attending the event, 2004 July 24 |
| Box 21 | Artifact 2006.25 | Inaugural Gala, promotional folding fans (3), 2004 July 24 |
| Box 4 | Folder 11 | Inaugural Gala, Save the Date mailer, 2004 July 24 |
| Box 4 | Folder 1 | Invitation, 2004 July |
| Box 4 | Folder 2 | Invitation, Special Guest Package sent by Mayor’s Office, 2004 July |
| Box 4 | Folder 10 | Invitation to Architecture and Design Society, symposium, “Millennium Park, Landscape, Art, & Architecture,” 2004 July 23 |
| Box 4 | Folder 3 | Opening Weekend, Jam Productions proposal, 2004 |
| Box 9 | CD 1 | Opening Weekend, Jam Productions proposal, CD (Do not issue CD, use Electronic Files), 2004 |
| Box 21 | Artifact 2006.23 | Millennium Park Host ID badge, 2004 |
| Box 21 | Artifact 2006.24 | Millennium Park Site Access ID badge, 2004 |
| Box 9 | CD 2 | Opening Weekend, 312 color photographs by Caroline O’Boyle, (Do not issue CD, use Electronic Files), 2004 July |
| Box 4 | Folder 7 | Press packet, includes press releases, tourism brochures and fact sheet, 2004 July 16-18 |
| Box 4 | Folder 8 | Press packet, includes press releases, promotional materials, information about Frank Gehry, Anish Kapoor, Jaumé Plensa, Kathryn Gustafson, Grant Park Music Festival and John Bryan, 2004 |
| Box 18 | Folder 1 | Redmoon Theater performance, photograph, 2004 July 17 |
| Box 21 | Artifact 2006.22 | Staff passes, laminated (2), 2004 |
| Artifacts 2006.18-2006.19 | T-shirt, yellow with Millennium Park logo, reads “Security, Millennium Park, July 16-18, 2004” (2 shirts) [Missing], 2004 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 9 | Time Out Chicago, Millennium Park, Your Guide to the City’s Hottest New Hangout, 2004 |
Series 2: Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion and BP Bridge, 1999-2004
Biographical/Historical
The Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion was designed by Frank Gehry and is named in honor of Jay Pritzker, who, with his widow Cindy Pritzker, co-founded the prestigious award, the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
The Pritzker Pavilion, the outdoor concert venue in Millennium Park, built in typical Frank Gehry style, is a flamboyant structure that has been critically acclaimed across the world. The stage can accommodate 120 musicians and a choral terrace holds up to 150 performers. The backstage area is shared with the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Four thousand spectators can watch performances from fixed seats in front of the stage, and an additional 7,000 can listen from the Great Lawn behind. Those on the Lawn can enjoy the state-of-the-art sound system via an overhead trellis of crisscrossing steel pipes.
In designing the Pritzker Pavilion, Frank Gehry took pains to ensure the venue worked well for musical performances and that those on the Great Lawn felt drawn into the event. The proscenium, or “headdress” is not only stunning visually, but also a key component of the cutting-edge sound system. The sound is directed out from the stage by the steel ribbons that billow outwards and upwards. Similarly, the steel flanking the sides of the stage helps distribute the sound out to the audience. The overhead speakers attached to the trellis carry the high-quality sound to those on the Great Lawn, which is twice the size of a football field. The stage can be closed off by two sliding glass doors, each 30 by 50 feet creating an indoor space in winter.
Other project contributions include structural engineering by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), general contracting by Walsh Construction Company, developmental management by U.S. Equities Realty, LLC and sound system by The Talaske Group of Oak Park, Illinois. The $60 million project includes $15 million from the Pritzker Foundation. The project was completed in 2004.
Biographical/Historical
The BP Bridge (BP Pedestrian Bridge) is Frank Gehry’s first bridge that was constructed. Designed after the Pritzker Pavilion, the BP Bridge is 925 feet long, more than 10 times the width of Columbus Drive, the street it spans. The length of the bridge, and the serpentine shape of it, creates a very gentle slope which in turn allows equal access to people who are physically challenged, the elderly, and those with strollers. This was an important aspect of the bridge’s overall design and one with which Ed Uhlir was particularly concerned. The bridge itself acts as a sound barrier, blocking out traffic noise from busy Columbus Drive and Lake Shore Drive beyond, especially important during performances.
Other project contributions include structural engineering by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and general contracting by Walsh Construction Company. The $14.5 million project cost includes $5 million from BP.
For more information on the Pritzker Pavilion and the BP Bridge, including the philanthropy of the Pritzker Foundation, researchers should consult Timothy J. Gilfoyle’s Millennium Park: Creating a Chicago Landmark, published in Chicago, Illinois in 2006. F548.65.M55G55 2006.
Conditions Governing Use
Research copies may be made of the presentation boards and model photographs, but permission must be obtained from the Artist for other uses.
Arrangement
Series 2 is arranged into two subseries:
- Subseries A: Documents, 1999-2004, undated
- Subseries B: Audiovisual Materials, 1999-2000
Subseries A: Documents, 1999-2004, undated
Arrangement
Series 2 is arranged chronologically with undated items at the end.
| Oversize D22 | Presentation board - Millennium Park Project, Site Plan, scale 1/50" = 1’ 0", Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36", 1999 November 3 | |
| Oversize D23 | Presentation board - Millennium Park Project, Site Plan, scale 1/32" = 1’ 0". Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36", 1999 November 3 | |
| Oversize D24 | Presentation board - Millennium Park Project, Partial Sections, axonometric View, Centerline Section, scale 1/16" = 1’ 0". Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36", 1999 November 3 | |
| Oversize D25 | Presentation board - Millennium Park Project, Partial Section at Music Pavilion Elevation, Transverse Section Through Platform, Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36", 1999 November 3 | |
| Oversize D26 | Presentation board - Millennium Park Project, Centerline Section, scale ¼" =1’ 0". Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36", 1999 November 3 | |
| Oversize D27 | Presentation board - Millennium Park Project, Platform Level Plan, El. +27’-0", scale 3/8" = 1’ 0". [Shows orchestra area and choral terrace.] Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36", 1999 November 3 | |
| Oversize D28 | Presentation board - Millennium Park Project, Platform Level Plan, El. +27’-0", scale 1/16" = 1’ 0". [Shows pavilion and lawn.] Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36", 1999 November 3 | |
| Oversize Folder D29 | Presentation board - Millennium Park Project, Chorus Level Plan, El. +37’-0", scale 1/16" = 1’ 0". Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 64 ½" x 36", 1999 November 3 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 13 | Presentation board - photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, and great lawn, looking north, early design 8" x 12", circa 1999 |
| Box 4 | Folder 14 | Presentation board - photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, and great lawn, looking northeast, early design, 11 ½" x 8", circa 1999 |
| Box 4 | Folder 15 | Presentation board - photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, and great lawn, looking west, early design, 12" x 8", circa 1999 |
| Box 4 | Folder 16 | Presentation board - photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, great lawn, and bridge, looking north, 13" x 7", circa 1999 |
| Box 4 | Folder 17 | Presentation board - photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, great lawn, and bridge, looking northwest, 13" x 7", circa 1999 |
| Box 4 | Folder 18 | Presentation board - photograph of model showing pavilion and stage, 13" x 7", circa 1999 |
| Box 4 | Folder 19 | Presentation board - photograph of model showing pavilion and stage, looking northwest through the trellis, 13" x 7", circa 1999 |
| Box 4 | Folder 20 | Presentation board - photograph of model showing light treatment on pavilion and stage, 13" x 7", circa 1999 |
| Box 4 | Folder 21 | Presentation board - photograph of model showing light treatment on pavilion and stage, looking northwest through trellis, 13" x 7", circa 1999 |
| Box 4 | Folder 22 | Presentation board - photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, and bridge, looking west, 13" x 7", circa 1999 |
| Oversize Folder D32 | Presentation board - digital rendering, black and white, perspective looking north-west, showing pavilion and skyline. 62" x 36", circa 1999 | |
| Oversize Folder D33 | Presentation board - digital rendering, black and white, perspective looking west, showing pavilion and skyline, 62" x 36", circa 1999 | |
| Oversize Folder D34 | Presentation board - digital rendering, black and white, perspective looking north, showing pavilion and surrounding buildings, 58 ½" x 36", circa 1999 | |
| Oversize Folder D35 | Presentation board - digital rendering, black and white, Perspective looking down through the trellis, showing seated area and stage. 56" x 36", circa 1999 | |
| Oversize Folder D104 | Presentation board - digital rendering, black and white, perspective, bird’s-eye view looking west, showing bridge in foreground, pavilion beyond and Cloud Gate sculpture at rear. 55" x 36", circa 1999 | |
| Oversize Folder D36 | Presentation board - digital rendering, black and white, perspective looking west, showing pavilion and partial trellis. 55" x 36", circa 1999 | |
| Oversize Folder D30 | Presentation board - Millennium Park Project, Site Plan, Sheet Number A1-1.0, [From construction documents?] Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 41 ½" x 32", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D31 | Presentation board - Millennium Park Project, Partial Sections at Music Pavilion, Sheet Number A3-3.1, [From construction documents?] Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 41 ½" x 32", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D37 | Presentation board - photograph of pavilion model, color, 42" x 32", circa 2000 | |
| Box 15 | Folder A43 | Presentation board - two photographs of pavilion with color light treatment and stage during a performance, 16 ½" x 10", circa 2004 |
| Box 15 | Folder A44 | Presentation board - two photographs of BP bridge with light treatments by Lightswitch, 16 ½" x 10", circa 2004 |
| Box 15 | Folder A45 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Pritzker Pavilion with overlay of painted trees, 11" x 17", undated |
| Box 17 | Folder B17 | Presentation board - images and site plans showing the Pritzker Pavilion and BP Bridge, 24" x 15", undated |
| Box 17 | Folder B18 | Plan of BP Bridge showing planting plan, 16" x 20", undated |
| Box 19 | Folder C8 | Presentation board - photograph of model showing stage and light treatment on pavilion, 30" x 22", undated |
| Box 19 | Folder C9 | Presentation board - site plan and photograph montages of 4 different views of the landing site of the BP Bridge, Ed Uhlir, undated |
Subseries B: Audiovisual Materials, 1999-2000
Arrangement
Subseries B is arranged chronologically.
| Box 10 | Photograph 1.21 | Frank Gehry and Associates Inc. offices, Los Angeles, California, exterior, photograph by Ed Uhlir, 1999 July 1 |
| Box 10 | Photograph 1.22 | Color photograph of model in Frank Gehry’s studio in Los Angeles, California, photograph by Ed Uhlir, 1999 1 July |
| Box 10 | Photograph 1.23 | Frank Gehry’s studio, Los Angeles, California, including Ed Uhlir, Rick Talaske, photograph by Ed Uhlir, 1999 July 1 |
| Box 10 | Photograph 1.24 | Frank Gehry’s studio, Los Angeles, California, including Robert Shook, Craig Webb, photograph by Ed Uhlir, 1999 July 1 |
| Box 10 | Photograph 1.25 | Frank Gehry’s studio, Los Angeles, California, including Craig Webb, Rick Talaske, photograph by Ed Uhlir, 1999 July 1 |
| Box 10 | Photograph 1.26 | Frank Gehry’s studio, Los Angeles, California, including Robert Shook, Lyn Pylon, photograph by Ed Uhlir, 1999 July 1 |
| Box 10 | Photographs 1.1-1.7 | Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion model (7 photographs), 1999 September 28 |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 11 | Gehry, Frank and Millennium Park Model, WBBM-TV (CBS), report and interview about the design of the music pavilion for Millennium Park, by Katherine Bliss, VHS tape (3 minutes, 43 seconds), 2000 July 24 |
| Box 10 | Photographs 1.8-1.20 | Pavilion model, photographs by McDonough Associates, Inc. (13 photographs), circa 2000 |
Series 3: Cloud Gate, 1999-2006, undated
Biographical/Historical
Cloud Gate, by Anish Kapoor, is made of 168 plates of highly polished stainless steel welded seamlessly into one. Weighing 110 tons and measuring 33 feet high, 42 feet wide, and 66 feet long, Cloud Gate is one of the largest outdoor sculptures in the world.
Anish Kapoor presented the design for his sculpture for Millennium Park in 1998 and, with the help of engineer Ethan Silva of Performance Structures Inc. (PSI), overcame enormous difficulties in achieving the finished look of liquid mercury desired by the artist. Silva used a computer-controlled milling machine to make the individual steel plates. The sculpture was made by Performance Structures Inc. (PSI) in Oakland, California, then disassembled, and transported to Chicago. When Millennium Park opened to the public in July 2004 the sculpture was not yet complete. While the piece was fully assembled, the welds still had to be ground out and polished. In January 2005 Cloud Gate was covered by a large tent-like enclosure while the final sanding, grinding and polishing were completed. The finished artwork was dedicated on May 15, 2006. The sculpture cost $20 million including the $3 million from SBC.
As is his practice, Anish Kapoor did not name his sculpture until it was fairly well complete. The unnamed installation was affectionately known as “the Bean” by Chicagoans, much to the chagrin of Kapoor. However, at the dedication of the sculpture Kapoor acknowledged its colloquial name, his sculpture having become one of the most recognizable and popular pieces of public art in the world.
For more information about the design and construction of Cloud Gate, or for more information about Anish Kapoor and his work, researchers are encouraged to consult Timothy J. Gilfoyle’s Millennium Park: Creating a Chicago Landmark, F548.65.M55G55 2006.
Scope and Contents
Series 3 contains a biography of Anish Kapoor, publications about the steel fabrication of Cloud Gate, a maquette and prints made from computer renderings of the sculpture.
Conditions Governing Use
Research copies may be made of the presentation boards and computer renderings, but permission must be obtained from the Artist for other uses.
Arrangement
Series 3 is arranged chronologically.
| Box 10 | Drawings 1.27-1.30 | Cloud Gate, color, computer-generated renderings (4), circa 1999 |
| Artifact 2006.16 | Cloud Gate, maquette by Anish Kapoor, scale model, 1/16" = 1´.00", solid cast steel made using the lost wax process, surface is grained, sanded, polished and chrome electroplated to same specifications as real sculpture for image reflection (on exhibit, 8th floor Harold Washington Library Center), 1999 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 1 | Biography, Anish Kapoor, circa 2002 |
| Box 5 | Folder 3 | Transport of the Anish Kapoor Sculpture, plans, 2002 October |
| Box 15 | Folder A46 | The Fabricator, official publication of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International, contains case study article, “Metal Fabricating in a New Millennium” by Kate Bachman, 2006 May |
| Oversize Folder D11 | Presentation board, computer rendering of Cloud Gate, 23" x 34", undated | |
| Box 5 | Folder 2 | Scanned images of computer renderings of Cloud Gate, undated |
Series 4: Crown Fountain, 1999-2003, undated
Biographical/Historical
Designed by Jaumé Plensa of Barcelona, Spain, Crown Fountain is comprised of two rectangular towers of glass brick at either end of a reflecting, or “skin” pool. Behind the glass brick, light emitting diodes (LED) project changing images on the two facing sides of the towers. Mostly people’s faces are shown, and periodically a jet of water shoots out of their mouths into the reflecting pool. In tandem with the jet of water, a large volume of water cascades down each tower drenching those below. The skin pool measures 232 feet long by 48 feet wide. The two towers are each 50 feet tall, 23 feet wide, 16 feet deep. The towers are comprised of approximately 28,000 glass bricks, each 5" tall, 10" long, and 2" thick.
Other project contributors include Chicago architects, Kreuck Sexton Architects and Chicago engineers, Halvorsen Kaye SE. The $17 million project includes $10 million from the Crown Foundation.
Scope and Contents
Series 4 contains a proposal, maquettes, presentation boards with digital renderings and construction plans.
Conditions Governing Use
Research copies may be made of the presentation boards and proposal, but permission must be obtained from the Artist for other uses.
Arrangement
Series 4 is arranged chronologically with undated items at the end.
| Box 12 | Folder A13 | Crown Fountain, proposal by Wet Design, 1999 |
| Box 22 | Artifact 2006.14 | Architectural Model of Crown Fountain, by Jaumé Plensa, showing two towers and trees, circa 2001 |
| Box 23 | Artifact 2006.15 | Architectural Model of Crown Fountain, interior of one tower, detailing inner components and presentation of working parts combining the structure of the tower, water management parts, electrical, electronic and optical elements, circa 2001 |
| Oversize D25 | Construction drawings for Millennium Park Fountain Project [Crown Fountain] by Krueck + Sexton [donated by Mark Sexton], 2003 | |
| Box 24 | Artifact 2016.1 | Glass corner brick, sample showing the final dimensions and corner joint design used on Crown Fountain [donated by Mark Sexton], 2003 |
| Box 10 | Photographs 1.31- 1.54 | Crown Fountain, mock-up showing scale and impact of one tower, 24 photographs by Ed Uhlir, circa 2003 |
| Box 12 | Folder A14 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Crown Fountain showing possible imagery, whale, 15 ¼" x 10", undated |
| Box 12 | Folder A15 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Crown Fountain, light study, undated 14 ½" x 11", undated |
| Box 12 | Folder A16 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Crown Fountain showing possible imagery, man’s face with jet of water coming from his mouth, 15 ½" x 10", undated |
| Box 12 | Folder A17 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Crown Fountain showing possible imagery, whale, 14 ½" x 11", undated |
| Box 12 | Folder A18 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Crown Fountain showing 4 possible images, 13 ½" x 10 ½", undated |
| Oversize Folder D12 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Crown Fountain showing possible imagery, man’s face, 36" x 24", undated | |
| Oversize Folder D13 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Crown Fountain showing possible imagery, man’s face with waterspout from mouth, 36" x 24", undated | |
| Oversize Folder D14 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Crown Fountain showing possible imagery, woman’s face, 36" x 24", undated |
Series 5: Lurie Garden, 2000-2002
Biographical/Historical
The Lurie Garden occupies the southeast corner of Millennium Park. An international garden design competition was held to design the garden and the Shoulder Garden, submitted by Gustafson, Guthrie, Nichol Ltd, partnering with plant specialist Piet Oudolph and lighting designer Robert Israel, was the winner. Ann Lurie, president of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Foundation, donated $10 million to have the garden built, and it was named in her honor. The total project cost was $13.2 million. It was completed in June 2004.
The 2 ½-acre Shoulder Garden has over 200 species of plants and has two distinct planting areas, a Light Plate and a Dark Plate, separated by an Extrusion Plaza, or the Seam, a boardwalk-type of path running in a slight diagonal to the north and south. A tall, dense shoulder hedge surrounds most of the Garden, giving a nod to Carl Sandburg’s famous poem.
Eleven designers entered the garden competition; Jeff Mendoza Garden; Douglas Hoerr; Peter Walker and Partners; Office of Dan Kiley; Clock House Denmans; Gustafson Partners; Louis Benech; Studio on Site; Glass Garden; Michael Van Valkenburgh; and Olin Partnership. The 3 finalists were Jeff Mendoza Garden, the Office of Dan Kiley, and Gustafson Partners, the eventual winners.
For a detailed description of the competition and the concepts behind each entry, researchers should consult Constructed Ground: The Millennium Garden Design Competition by Charles Waldheim, published in Urbana, Illinois in 2001, SB466.U65C568 2001. For more information on the Lurie Garden, including the philanthropy of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Foundation, researchers are advised to consult Timothy J. Gilfoyle’s Millennium Park: Creating a Chicago Landmark, published in Chicago, Illinois in 2006. F548.65.M55G55 2006
Scope and Contents
Series 5 contains models and presentation boards with maps, renderings and site plans from the eleven designers who entered the garden competition: Jeff Mendoza Garden; Douglas Hoerr; Peter Walker and Partners; Office of Dan Kiley; Clock House Denmans; Gustafson Partners; Louis Benech; Studio on Site; Glass Garden; Michael Van Valkenburgh; and Olin Partnership. The series also contains information on the further development of the winning group, Gustafson Partners.
Researchers should also consult the Millennium Park Oral History Project files and videocassette 10 for more detailed information regarding the horticulture of Millennium Park.
Conditions Governing Use
Research copies may be made of the presentation boards, but permission must be obtained from the Artist for other uses.
Arrangement
Series 5 is arranged into two subseries:
- Subseries A: Garden Design Competition, 2000-2002
- Subseries B: Lurie Garden Development, 2001-2002
Subseries A: Garden Design Competition, 2000-2002
Arrangement
Subseries A is arranged chronologically and by design competition entry number.
| Box 6 | Folder 1 | Invitation to participate, draft, annotated by Ed Uhlir, 2000 July 5 |
| Box 6 | Folder 2 | Invitation to participate, 2000 July 17 |
| Box 6 | Folder 3 | List of participants, 2000 |
| Box 6 | Folder 4 | List of jurors, 2000 |
| Box 6 | Folder 5 | Entry Number 1 - Jeff Mendoza Garden, Urban Riff Garden, 2000 October 2 |
| Oversize Folder D39 | Entry Number 1 - Jeff Mendoza Garden, Urban Riff Garden, Context Plan, presentation board, 36" x 24", 2000 October 2 | |
| Oversize Folder D40 | Entry Number 1 - Jeff Mendoza Garden, Urban Riff Garden, Orchestration, presentation board, 36" x 24", 2000 October 2 | |
| Box 20 | Folder C10 | Entry Number 1 - Jeff Mendoza Garden, Urban Riff Garden, Perspective, presentation board, 30" x 20", undated |
| Box 20 | Folder C11 | Entry Number 1 - Jeff Mendoza Garden, Urban Riff Garden, Perspective, presentation board, 30" x 20", undated |
| Oversize Folder D38 | Entry Number 1 - Jeff Mendoza Garden, Urban Riff Garden, Site Plan, presentation board, 36" x 24", 2000 October 2 | |
| Box 27 | Artifact 2005.11 | Entry Number 1 - Jeff Mendoza Garden, Urban Riff Garden, architectural model, circa 2000 |
| Box 6 | Folder 6 | Entry Number 2 - Hoerr, Douglas, The Four Seasons Garden, circa 2000 October |
| Oversize Folder D41 | Entry Number 2 - Hoerr, Douglas, Four Seasons Garden, Site Plan, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D42 | Entry Number 2 - Hoerr, Douglas, Four Seasons Garden, Bird’s-Eye Perspective Looking North, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D43 | Entry Number 2 - Hoerr, Douglas, Four Seasons Garden, Bird’s-Eye Perspective Looking Northwest, Urbs in Horto, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 7 | Entry Number 3 - Peter Walker and Partners, The Glass Prairie, circa 2000 October |
| Oversize Folder D44 | Entry Number 3 - Peter Walker and Partners, The Glass Prairie, Plan, Applied Ecological Services, presentation board, 40" x 30", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D45 | Entry Number 3 - Peter Walker and Partners, The Glass Prairie, Context Plan, presentation board, 40" x 30", circa 2000 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 8 | Entry Number 4 - Office of Dan Kiley, The Millennium Garden, circa 2000 October |
| Oversize Folder D46 | Entry Number 4 - Office of Dan Kiley, Millennium Garden, Garden Plan (Summer), presentation board, 36" x 24", 2000 October 2 | |
| Oversize Folder D47 | Entry Number 4 - Office of Dan Kiley, Millennium Garden, Perspective, presentation board, 36" x 24", 2000 October 2 | |
| Oversize Folder D48 | Entry Number 4 - Office of Dan Kiley, Millennium Garden, Isometric View, presentation board, 36" x 24", 2000 October 2 | |
| Box 25 | Artifact 2005.9 | Entry Number 4 - Office of Dan Kiley, Millennium Garden, architectural model, circa 2000 |
| Box 6 | Folder 9 | Entry Number 5 - Clock House Denmans, The Millennium Garden, circa 2000 October |
| Oversize Folder D49 | Entry Number 5 - Clock House Denmans, Millennium Garden, Site Plan, presentation board, 33 ¼" x 23 ½", 2000 September | |
| Oversize Folder D50 | Entry Number 5 - Clock House Denmans, Millennium Garden, Design Process, presentation board, 32" x 22", 2000 September | |
| Oversize Folder D51 | Entry Number 5 - Clock House Denmans, Millennium Garden, Sections, presentation board, 33 ¼" x 23 ½", 2000 September | |
| Box 6 | Folder 10 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, 2001 March |
| Oversize Folder D52 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, Site Plan, presentation board, 32" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D53 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, North-South Section, Winter Character, presentation board, 32" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D54 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, Interior Plates, Light Plate and The Seam, presentation board, 32" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D55 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, Perspectives of The Seam and plants, presentation board, 32" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D56 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, Concept, Axonometric, presentation board, 34" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D57 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, The Seam, Light Plate, Interior Plates, Light Plate and The Seam, presentation board, 34" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D58 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, Monroe Garden, Context Maps, presentation board, 32" x 24", 2001 March | |
| Oversize Folder D59 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, Monroe Garden, North-South Section, Winter Character, presentation board, 32" x 24", 2001 March | |
| Oversize Folder D60 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, Monroe Garden, Extrusion Plaza, Daytime/Summer and Nighttime/Winter, presentation board, 32" x 24", 2001 March | |
| Oversize Folder D61 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, Monroe Garden, Interior Plates, Light Plate and The Seam, presentation board, 32" x 24", 2001 March | |
| Oversize Folder D62 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, Monroe Garden, Interior Plates, Dark Plate and Meeting Grove, presentation board, 32" x 24", 2001 March | |
| Box 26 | Artifact 2005.10 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, architectural model, circa 2000 |
| Box 28 | Artifact 2005.13 | Entry Number 6 - Gustafson Partners, The Shoulder Garden, more developed design architectural model, circa 2001 |
| Box 20 | Folder C12 | Entry Number 9 - Louis Benech, Millennium Garden, Site Plan and Legend, presentation board, 22" x 28 ½", circa 2000 |
| Oversize Folder D63 | Entry Number 10 - Studio on Site, Living Chicago, Site Plan, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 11 | Entry Number 11 - The Wind and Water Garden, circa 2000 October |
| Oversize Folder D64 | Entry Number 11 - Studio on Site, Living Chicago, Concept, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D65 | Entry Number 11 - Studio on Site, Living Chicago, Perspectives, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D66 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, Site Plan, presentation board, 3 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D67 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, Detail Site Plan, presentation board, 4 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D68 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, Site Sections, presentation board, 5 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D69 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, Sea Dome, Planting Concept, presentation board, 12 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D70 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, text on vellum, 1 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D71 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, Wind and Water, 2 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D72 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, Tropics Dome, 6 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D73 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, Desert Dome, 7 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D74 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, Sea Dome, 8 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D75 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, Sketches, 9 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D76 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, Tropics Dome, 10 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D77 | Entry Number 11 - Glass Garden, Wind and Water Garden, Desert Dome, 11 of 12, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D78 | Entry Number 12 - Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Four Seasons Garden, Four Seasons Garden for Millennium Park, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D79 | Entry Number 12 - Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Four Seasons Garden, Spatial Structure, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D80 | Entry Number 12 - Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Four Seasons Garden, Plant Palette, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D81 | Entry Number 12 - Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Four Seasons Garden, Response to Urban Context, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D82 | Entry Number 12 - Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Four Seasons Garden, Spatial Structure, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folder D83 | Entry Number 12 - Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Four Seasons Garden, Four Seasons Garden for Millennium Park, presentation board, 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Oversize Folders D84, D85 | Entry Number 12 - Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Four Seasons Garden, Response to Urban Context [2 panel set], presentation boards, each 36" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 12 | Entry Number 14 - Olin Partnership, A Garden Celebration of Chicago, 2000 October |
| Oversize Folder D86 | Entry Number 14 - Olin Partnership, A Garden Celebration of Chicago, Concept and Plan, presentation board, 36" x 24", 2000 October 2 | |
| Oversize Folder D87 | Entry Number 14 - Olin Partnership, A Garden Celebration of Chicago, Sections, presentation board, 36" x 24", 2000 October 2 | |
| Oversize Folder D88 | Entry Number 14 - Olin Partnership, A Garden Celebration of Chicago, Grass and Sky Garden, presentation board, 36" x 24", 2000 October 2 | |
| Oversize Folder D89 | Entry Number 14 - Olin Partnership, A Garden Celebration of Chicago, Jens Jensen "Prairie River" Aquatic Garden and Prairie Garden, presentation board, 36" x 24", 2000 October 2 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 13 | Project Manual, Monroe Garden, Chicago, Ill., Gustafson Partners Ltd., 30% Construction Documents, 2002 September 13 |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 12 | Millennium Park Architects # 1, TCWD [the City Works Department]. Two informal interviews with two of the runner-up finalists in the Garden Competition, in preparation for interviews with the jury the following day. Ed Uhlir interviews Dan Kiley and Peter Meyer [Mier?) from the Office of Dan Kiley and asks them to explain their concepts and choice of plants selected in their entry. Ed Uhlir then interviews Sidney Neilson, Jeff Mendoza and Robert Monteleo from Jeff Mendoza Garden asking them much the same questions. (51 minutes, 54 seconds), undated |
Series 5: Lurie Garden, 2000-2002
Subseries B: Lurie Garden Development, 2001-2002
Scope and Contents
Subseries B contains presentation boards with site plans and diagrams for the development and implementation of Lurie Garden by design competition winners, Gustafson Partners. Their design competition presentation panels are listed in Subseries A alongside other competitors.
Conditions Governing Use
Research copies may be made of the presentation boards, but permission must be obtained from the Artist for other uses.
Arrangement
Subseries B is arranged chronologically.
| Oversize Folder D90 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, Axonometric, presentation board, 32" x 24", 2001 March | |
| Oversize Folder D91 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, Site Plan – Autumn, Site Plan – Spring, Site Plan – Winter, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2001 March | |
| Oversize Folder D92 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, images of the model, 100% Design Development, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2002 March | |
| Oversize Folder D93 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, Illustrative Ground-Plan Planting Plan: Dark Plate and Light Plate, Conceptual Diagrams, 100% Design Development, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2002 March | |
| Oversize Folder D94 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, Site Plan: Spring, Site Plan: Summer to Autumn, Site Plan: Winter, 100% Design Development, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2002 March | |
| Oversize Folder D95 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, Elevation – Armature, Section AA; Section BB, 100% Design Development, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2002 March | |
| Oversize Folder D96 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, Elevation – Monroe Street, Elevation – Columbus Avenue, 100% Design Development, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2002 March | |
| Oversize Folder D97 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, planting plan, 100% Design Development, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2002 March | |
| Oversize Folder D98 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, planting plan, 100% Design Development, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2002 March | |
| Oversize Folder D99 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, Light Plate Perennial Photos, Dark Plate Perennial Photos, 100% Design Development, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2002 March | |
| Oversize Folder D100 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, photos of trees and hedges, 100% Design Development, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2002 March | |
| Oversize Folder D101 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, Perspectives, Sections, Plan, 100% Design Development, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2002 March | |
| Oversize Folder D102 | Gustafson Partners, Monroe Garden, Lighting Plan, 100% Design Development, presentation board, 34" x 24", 2002 March |
Series 6: Millennium Monument and Wrigley Square, 2000-2002
Biographical/Historical
The Millennium Monument in Wrigley Square is a smaller-scaled replica of the peristyle built on the same site in 1917. Designed by Edward Bennett, Daniel Burnham’s partner in the Plan of Chicago, the original peristyle was demolished in 1953 when the new Grant Park North Garage was built.
David Dillon and Michael Patrick Sullivan of O’Donnell, Wicklund, Pigozzi and Peterson Architects, Inc. (OWP&P) used Bennett’s drawings from the Chicago Park District’s archive to construct the Millennium Monument. The 24 paired, fluted columns are the same height as the original peristyle, though the diameter of the structure was reduced from 100 feet to 80 feet. The structure is almost 40 feet tall. This was done to make accommodation for the accessible ramp that goes behind the monument.
William Wrigley, Jr., and other Wrigley officials were interested in contributing to Millennium Park and the historic aspect of the peristyle was attractive to them. Furthermore, the original peristyle was constructed around the same time as the Wrigley Building; the classical architectural styles of both are similar. The William Wrigley Jr., Foundation contributed $5 million to the Monument, and the Square was named in its honor. The project was completed in 2002.
Scope and Contents
Series 6 contains presentation boards with renderings that show different planned views and lighting designs, presentation package materials and a videocassette.
Conditions Governing Use
Research copies may be made of the presentation boards, but permission must be obtained from the Artist for other uses.
Arrangement
Series 6 is arranged roughly chronologically.
| Box 13 | Folder A19 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Millennium Monument (Peristyle) and Wrigley Square looking north, OWP&P, 11" x 17", circa 2000 |
| Box 13 | Folder A20 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Millennium Monument (Peristyle) and Wrigley Square looking northwest, OWP&P, 14 ½" x 10 ½", 2000 |
| Box 13 | Folder A21 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Millennium Monument (Peristyle) and Wrigley Square looking east, daytime, OWP&P, 11" x 17", circa 2000 |
| Box 13 | Folder A22 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Millennium Monument (Peristyle) and Wrigley Square looking east, nighttime, OWP&P, 11" x 17", circa 2000 |
| Box 13 | Folder A23 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Millennium Monument (Peristyle) showing light treatment, ivy, 16 ½" x 10", undated |
| Box 13 | Folder A24 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Millennium Monument (Peristyle) showing light treatment, American flag, 16 ½" x 10", undated |
| Box 13 | Folder A25 | Digital rendering of Millennium Monument (Peristyle) showing light treatment, rainbow, 11" x 17", undated |
| Box 13 | Folder A26 | Digital rendering of Millennium Monument (Peristyle) showing light treatment, red and green, 11" x 17", undated |
| Box 13 | Folder A27 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Millennium Monument (Peristyle) and Wrigley Square, nighttime, OWP&P, 11" x 17", circa 2000 |
| Oversize Folder D15 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Millennium Monument (Peristyle) and Wrigley Square, nighttime, OWP&P, 27 ½" x 24", circa 2000 | |
| Artifact 2005.8 | Wrigley Square and Millennium Monument, architectural model, designed by OWP&P (on exhibit, 8th floor of Harold Washington Library Center), circa 2000 | |
| Box 7 | Folder 1 | Brochure, “Millennium Park, Capturing a Moment in History,” featuring the Millennium Monument (Peristyle) and Wrigley Square and Frank Gehry’s Music Pavilion, the Great Lawn, and the Bridge, 2001 |
| Box 7 | Folder 2 | Correspondence, from Debbie Webb, Art Institute of Chicago to Ed Uhlir, includes copies of photographs of the original Peristyle, 2001 |
| Box 7 | Folder 3 | Package to appeal for donors to Millennium Park, contains view of original Peristyle, plans of the park, elevations, and samples of lettering to be used on the Millennium Monument (Peristyle), circa 2001 |
| Box 8 | Videocassette 13 | “New Landmark Story,” WGN News report about the history of the original peristyle and the construction of the new one in Millennium Park, with comments from Blair Kamin, Chicago Tribune architectural critic, and Bill Piet from the Wrigley Company Foundation, videocassette (3 minutes, 32 seconds), 2002 April 22 |
Series 7: Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 1999-2003
Biographical/Historical
The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance is located at the north end of Millennium Park along Randolph Street. Though not officially part of Millennium Park itself, the planning and construction of the Harris Theater was intimately involved with the overall planning of the Park, especially with Frank Gehry’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
The Harris Theater for Music and Dance opened on November 8, 2003 and represents the culmination of almost 20 years of searching by the Music and Dance Theater for a modern, mid-sized venue. Designed by Thomas Beeby of Hammond, Beeby, Rupert, Ainge Architects, the Harris Theater has already won several architectural awards.
In 1994 and 1995 twelve Founding Companies: Ballet Chicago; Chicago Opera Theater; Chicago Sinfonietta; The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago; Hubbard Street Dance Chicago; Joffrey Ballet; Lyric Opera Center for American Artists; Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum; Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago; Music of the Baroque; Old Town School of Folk Music; and Performing Arts Chicago, formed the Music and Dance Theater Inc., and began to look for a venue that would accommodate their, and other visiting companies’, needs. The new theater embodies all of their demands, a fly tower, egalitarian seating, a chamber for smaller audiences, a lobby, and an extremely flexible and functional loading dock which allows one company to unload sets and equipment while the theater is being used by another company, preventing delays between productions and, most importantly, additional days at the theater for which they have to pay rent.
Thomas Beeby altered and simplified his original design for the theater as Frank Gehry developed the band shell for the Pritzker Pavilion. The style of the theater is minimalist, and much of the interior is of unfinished, precast concrete. The walls of the theater are without any embellishment, only painted a variety of grays, black and white. The seating is non-hierarchical, the main floor slopes steeply back, ensuring good sightlines from all seats for dance performances, and the stage is wide and deep.
In February 2002 Joan and Irving Harris donated $15 million to the theater and lent $24 million for construction toward a total cost of $60 million. To acknowledge their generosity, the theater was named for them in June 2003.
Scope and Contents
Series 7 contains presentation boards with renderings that show site plans, interior and exterior plans and stage designs.
Conditions Governing Use
Research copies may be made of the presentation boards, but permission must be obtained from the Artist for other uses.
Arrangement
Series 7 is arranged roughly chronologically.
| Oversize Folder D19 | Presentation board - Chicago Music and Dance Theater, Transverse Section @ First Cross Aisle, 30 ½" x 24", 1999 February 3 | |
| Oversize Folder D20 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Music and Dance Theater Chicago, 36" x 23", 1999 July | |
| Box 15 | Folder A39 | Presentation board - Music and Dance Theater Chicago, Scheme C, site plan, 11" x 17", 2000 November 9 |
| Box 15 | Folder A40 | Presentation board - Music and Dance Theater Chicago, site plan, 11" x 17", 2000 December 21 |
| Box 15 | Folder A41 | Presentation board, digital rendering of Chicago Music and Dance Theater at night, 11" x 17", circa 2000-2003 |
| Box 15 | Folder A42 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Chicago Music and Dance Theater at night, 11" x 17", circa 2000-2003 |
| Oversize Folder D17 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Chicago Music and Dance Theater showing interior stairs, 30" x 25 ½", circa 2000-2003 | |
| Oversize Folder D18 | Presentation board, digital rendering of Chicago Music and Dance Theater showing interior lobby and stairs, 30" x 25 ½", circa 2000-2003 | |
| Oversize Folder D21 | Presentation board, digital rendering of Music and Dance Theater Chicago, 40" x 30", circa 2000-2003 | |
| Box 15 | Folder A37 | Digital color rendering of stage from balcony, 11" x 17", circa 2000-2003 |
| Box 15 | Folder A38 | Digital color rendering of stage, 11" x 17", circa 2000-2003 |
Series 8: Exelon Pavilions/Exelon Gallery, 2003-2004
Biographical/Historical
Providing access to the underground parking facilities, each of the four Exelon Pavilions uses “green” technology to provide additional power to the Park. Commonwealth Edison, a subsidiary of Exelon, donated $7 million to build them.
The two Exelon Pavilions at the north end of the Park, along Randolph Street, were designed by Thomas Beeby in harmony with the Harris Theater, also designed by Beeby. These pavilions have photovoltaic panels on all four sides of the buildings to convert heat and light from the sun into electricity without burning fuel or adding to pollution. As well as providing access to parking below, the Pavilions house a visitor center, office space, restrooms and a venue for special events.
The two Exelon Pavilions at the south end of the Park, along Monroe Street, were designed by Renzo Piano. With walls of limestone and glass, the Pavilions at the south end of the Park have photovoltaic panels on the roof which allow visitors to view the Lurie Garden as they come out of the elevators from the parking garages below. Piano designed the addition to the Art Institute of Chicago, on the south side of Monroe Street, that opened in 2009. The Pavilions were intended to complement the new building wing. Piano designed a pedestrian bridge, between the Art Institute of Chicago and the southwest corner of the Great Lawn.
For information about the Exelon Galleries, see Boeing Galleries.
Scope and Contents
Series 8 contains presentation boards with renderings that show site, lighting, and solar technology plans along with a book with proposals.
Arrangement
Series 8 is arranged mostly chronologically.
| Box 7 | Folder 4 | The Exelon Gallery of Chicago’s Millennium Park, book with possible uses for the space (2 copies), undated |
| Box 14 | Folder A31 | Presentation board - Side 1, Exelon Pavilions, Plan at Upper Randolph (East Pavilion), Not for Construction, Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge, and Side 2, Exelon Pavilions, Plan at Terrace (East Pavilion), Not for Construction, 11" x 17", 2003 January 29 |
| Box 14 | Folder A32 | Presentation board - Exelon Pavilions, Plan at Upper Randolph (West Pavilion), Not for Construction, 11" x 17", 2003 January 29 |
| Box 14 | Folder A33 | Presentation board - Exelon Pavilions, Plan at Terrace (West Pavilion), Not for Construction, 11" x 17", 2003 January 29 |
| Box 14 | Folder A34 | Presentation board - Exelon Pavilions, Plan at Mezzanine (West Pavilion), Not for Construction, 11"x 17", 2003 January 29 |
| Box 14 | Folder A35 | Presentation board - Exelon Pavilions, site elevation, upper Randolph, Not for Construction, 11" x 17", 2003 January 29 |
| Box 14 | Folder A36 | Presentation board - Exelon Pavilions, Elevation; Plan at Upper Randolph; Plan at Park Terrace; Plan at Mezzanine, 11" x 17", circa 2003 |
| Box 14 | Folder A28 | Exelon Pavilion Exhibits at Millennium Park, Concept Plan, 11” x 17”, Teller Madsen Inc., book shows a possible exhibition of the solar power process, the photovoltaic interactive kiosk, 11" x 17", 2004 August 10 |
| Oversize Folder D16 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Exelon Pavilions with Chicago Music and Dance Theater in background, 11" x 17" [duplicate of Folder A29, but larger, 30" x 30"], undated | |
| Box 14 | Folder A29 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Exelon Pavilions with Chicago Music and Dance Theater in background, 11" x 17", undated |
| Box 14 | Folder A30 | Presentation board - digital rendering of Exelon Pavilions with Chicago Music and Dance Theater in background, 11" x 17", undated |
Series 9: Boeing Galleries, circa 2005, undated
Biographical/Historical
The Boeing Galleries were previously known as the “Exelon Galleries,” the term informally used to describe the area also known as the “mid-level terraces” in the early planning stages of the park. It was hoped Exelon would contribute additional funds to develop the area but this never happened. When the park opened in July 2004, the mid-level terraces were wide, grass and gravel paths. When the Boeing Company moved its headquarters to Chicago they contributed to Millennium Park by donating $5 million to pave the terraces in granite and add sycamore trees, creating an outdoor exhibition area. In recognition of this improvement, and of the money donated, the area was renamed the Boeing Galleries.
Scope and Contents
Series 9 contains presentation boards with renderings that show site plans and views looking from various directions.
Arrangement
Series 9 is arranged chronologically.
| Box 20 | Folder C14 | Presentation board - Boeing Galleries, Entrance Ovolo, 30" x 20", circa 2005 |
| Box 20 | Folder C13 | Presentation board - Boeing Galleries, Existing Site Plan, 30" x 20", circa 2005 |
| Box 20 | Folder C15 | Presentation board - Boeing Galleries, South Gallery from Michigan Avenue, 30" x 20", circa 2005 |
| Box 20 | Folder C16 | Architectural drawing - Boeing Gallery South, Midlevel Terrace Plan, approximately 22" x 23", undated |
| Box 20 | Folder C17 | Architectural drawing - Boeing Gallery South, Midlevel Terrace Section A-A, approximately 24" x 20", undated |
