AIA Guide to Chicago

by American Institute of Architects Chicago, American Institute of Architects Chicago, Geoffrey Baer (Preface)

An unparalleled architectural powerhouse, Chicago offers visitors and natives alike a panorama of styles and forms. The third edition of the AIA Guide to Chicago brings readers up to date on ten years of dynamic changes with new entries on smaller projects as well as showcases like the Aqua building, Trump Tower, and Millennium Park.
 
Four hundred photos and thirty-four specially commissioned maps make it easy to find each of the one thousand-plus featured buildings, while a comprehensive index organizes buildings by name and architect. This edition also features an introduction providing an indispensable overview of Chicago's architectural history.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Travel, Reference, Guidebook

550 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1993

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My obsession with architecture started young.

[Joan]

If you are a Chicagoan and/or an architecture buff (professional or amateur), or are visiting our city, you absolutely have to have this book. Divided by area, further subdivided by neighborhood, each section lists by address, with good maps, important architectural sites, and provides information on each. However, it is not limited to famous buildings, but includes many residences, cool buildings you didn't know about, and typical Chicago architecture. With this book in hand, you can pick a neighborhood, go for a walk, and discover treasures.

If you prefer a guide, try The Chicago Architecture Foundation

One oddity is that this book chooses to include listings for Oak Park, a suburb immediately west of Chicago, because of its many Frank Lloyd Wright homes, though many other buildings are also included. Yet it does not include River Forest, an adjacent suburb that is also home to FLW buildings. Other suburbs, such as Evanston and Riverside, also have architecturally significant and interesting buildings. I suppose they had to stop somewhere!

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1993 edition, which I own. There's a newer one listed here also. It's a beautifully executed guide to Chicago buildings, including countless mansions and homes, of architectural significance. Logically laid out and crammed with information, packaged in an attractive carry size dimension.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best reference for Chicago arcitecture out there.