Why Chicago DEMOLISHED the Largest Dome in America - The Federal building story - IT'S HISTORY

[@harveywallbanger3723]

Nearly 60 years ago I was a teenage kid interested in ham radio and the license exam had to be taken in person at an FCC office. Living near Chicago, the nearest FCC office was in that building. I still have memories of that building as a massive, elaborate, rock solid building. Some years later, I decided to upgrade my radio license and that required another exam but this time it was in the building that replaced the one built in the late 1800's. I can guarantee that the new federal building has none of the feel of strength and majesty that its predecessor had.

[@andreasmorgen7575]

I so envy you having the experience of being inside this grand and majestic building!

[@harveywallbanger3723]

@@andreasmorgen7575 That building made a real impression on me.for it to be in my mind for about 60 years. I was seated at a massive wooden table to do the paperwork and take the exam. That table was what you imagine to see in in the most beautiful dining halls in the greatest palaces of Europe. Please search KZbin videos about the Rialto Square Theater in Joliet, IL. This is another one of my favorite buildings near where I live. It is a 96 year old movie palace type theater that has been restored and is still being used today.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Two key words; strength and majesty. Traits lacking in modern civic and institutional architecture.

[@jeromewysocki8809]

In 1963, I took my exam there, too. The address was, I believe, 219 S. Clark St. @ 826 US Courthouse. You are right. The building was massive. I loved looking down from the dome.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

@@jeromewysocki8809 You gentleman were lucky to have had experienced something we and the rest of those who truly love Chicago were robbed of. Mies' frigid, monolithic slabs, which can easily pass for an office/residential/hospital building, can never properly fill the role of a federal courthouse.

[@fennec13]

Yikes - I though we lost a lot of stuff here in NYC with stuff like the Old Penn station - and Singer buildings - but my goodness what a loss - for those terrible looking slabs of buildings - what a shame our architectural heritage can be destroyed for the sake of government red tape.

[@pieluvr7362]

More like cover ups

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

It is truly a disgrace. The channel "Kings and Things" also has a great video on this topic titled, "America's Lost Neoclassical Architecture." The video talks about Penn Station and the Federal Building

[@ksavage681]

True, but if it was your taxes raised to keep up with the horrible maintenance costs, most people vote to demolish and build new.

[@johnmorrissey2443]

Those terrible looking buildings and the entire federal plaza were designed by Mies van Der Rohe. There is a lot of very interesting aspects to them if you know where to look

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

@Caleb OKAY Very good of you to recognize the link between the decline in architecture and the degeneration of society.

[@emu5088]

I had no idea so many of the buildings I love in Chicago were designed by the same guy who did the beautiful demolished federal building (that building at University of Chicago, Athletic Association, Newberry Library (Where my wedding reception will be!), and the others you showed! I used to think Art Deco was my favorite style of architecture but I know now it's definitely beaux arts! Cheers to Beaux Arts!! Once again, you astound me with the quality and the subjects of your videos! Amazing, amazing, amazing!

[@DaveSCameron]

I found that same phenomenon over here in England, Liverpool for example Anglican cathedral by Giles-Scott who was responsible for many other buildings both in Liverpool and London, incidentally he also designed some of our finest old Football stadia, I believe only Everton is remaining but also Spurs and Glasgow Rangers previous stadiums. Fascinating to finally look upwards as I get older and take the time to wonder at my world 🤔😘 Best wishes 🙏

[@dogwklr]

You really all think that these people were responsible for so many of these majestic buildings on their own in each country? Each of them is a singular work of art, taking years to complete given all the interior and exterior ornate work. The stories behind these buildings are mostly bs, like the ones in Paris that were in their 20s and designed dozens of palaces 😂 The man who designed versailles was apparently not even an architect but a buddy of the king and he casually just threw it together 😂😂 the stories go the same way if you look into each place like San francisco and new york etc

[@freetolook3727]

These old buildings were designed to last at least 100 years showcasing the stability of government and civilization.. The average brick and mortor retail building of strip mall fame is designed to only last 20 years showcasing that retail trends change and it is cheaper and easier to demolish and build new.

[@653j521]

Well, it started to decline a lot faster than 100 years so it failed in its vision.

[@andreasmorgen7575]

And they're ugly!

[@jamesslick4790]

@@653j521 Or, More likely the government neglected it.

[@kingblanco7791]

That’s bs that’s what they want you to think. 😂 go take a look at the science and industry museum that building will last forever. They been burying and destroying tartarian architecture all over the world stay woke.

[@dogwklr]

You people need to travel around more if you can. These buildings are literal mountains of stone and can last 1000 years no problem. They did not decline easily, they are very similar to St Peters basilica in robustness and that's 600 years old roughly. The philly city hall is just like this, clearly they are far older than we are being told. Why is a post office being made into a Palace? What is the purpose of such a difficult project and the decoration can't even be attempted nowadays. These buildings do not collapse, they endure forever more or less

[@theicepickthatkilledtrotsk658]

In the US especially, so many Arhitectual masterpieces have been destroyed to make way for bleak modernist buildings each blander than the last.

[@themoviedealers]

Also in Germany because half of their buildings got destroyed in World War 2.

[@DaveSCameron]

Yes it's so sad, here in England we Grade our older buildings from 1/3 and fortunately this does stop any destruction, hell even dilapidated farm buildings have been saved because they house nesting barn owls 🦉 in their smashed up rafters 😊🙏

[@uwharriebigfoothunter]

They've done that all over. Erase history and make more money

[@sandybruce9092]

IMO it started back in the 50s and 60s with this destruction of beautiful and very usable buildings being demolished and a miserable “modern” building built in its place!

[@fasttrackeducation7123]

It was deliberately done by communists / bankers. It's been known since Rome that beautiful architecture inspires the population. Brutish "modern" architecture is not inspiring. Intentional. Research and you can find WHO is behind it.

[@PerpetualSolivagant]

I first saw this building when I started to make my video “Chicago Then and Now” last year. I didn’t include it because it no longer existed. I knew it should be a great building but didn’t know it was so great until I watched your informative video. I really learned a lot: the architect, the construction and other aspects of this splendid building and the history of Chicago.

[@n.l.vannstallings4664]

It should be illegal to tear down such beautiful architecture and less Beyond any reasonable repair or dangerous to people. You're never going to get that level of craftsmanship again with such beautiful materials

[@ITSHISTORY]

Comment below👇 Anyone from Illinois seeing this video? I'd be curious to know what town!

[@salty6pence672]

Chicago

[@ITSHISTORY]

@@salty6pence672 I use to live on LSD

[@salty6pence672]

@@ITSHISTORY I live on the south side now. I used to live in Hyde Park. My Mom worked at Rockefeller Chapel & used to give tours of the Robie house. It sparked my love of architecture.

[@Aggergate_Demand]

Yep, use the blueline Federal Plaza Stop on Jackson Station. The old building belongs in Springfield or Rockford. Doesn't match with the Chicago skyline and Mlie's design is far better when looking outside from the inside (government workers). The Plaza is more designed for people to gather and protest safety. Beside too many federal courts are neoclassical. Glad that it's more government as a business design and Post Office is a logistics front lobby to a very complex distribution system underground.

[@rosezingleman5007]

I used to live on North Halsted south of Diversey, a few doors north of Kingston Mines. Sweet Home Chicago.

[@TheBaritoneCrooner]

FYI: The picture shown at 13:23 and again at 13:48 is upside down! What looked like a patterned ceiling, was actually the marble floor!

[@majorneptunejr]

Good eye. I didn't notice that. It just goes to show you how beautiful even the floor was.

[@jamesslick4790]

I know right. I thought I was "tripping" to see that stairway...on the ceiling.

[@squidward_tortelllini]

@@TheBaritoneCrooner this comment is confusing tf out of me help what do u mean it’s upside down? there’s people standing upright in it??!?

[@Matryoshkabomb]

What are you even talking about?

[@squidward_tortelllini]

@@Matryoshkabombim still confused lol i think they mean the building is upside down even though it doesn’t look like that and there’s signage on the front that’s clearly upright..??

[@oliverrojas3185]

Thanks for showcasing this building. I don't know what else to say other than, new is not always better. The trees, labor hours at the quarry, the horses or trains delivering the goods, the man hours of physical labor may not have been given consideration before deciding on the value of the building. When I think of similar losses, one loss still present to this day albeit in a different field is that of the original 7 to 9 oz Coke Bottle.

[@ITSHISTORY]

Exactly, and this is reason we will never have a building like that again in Chicago.

[@653j521]

@@ITSHISTORY We will never have anything again. Technology, needs, priorities, ecological awareness, everything changes. You can bemoan that immutable fact or you can appreciate the best of all eras.

[@DEEuroworks]

Very interesting, thank you for posting.

[@freetolook3727]

We as Americans do not embrace our history. Instead it's like we're more ashamed of it and the philosophy of newer is better prevails. Isn't always they say "it'll cost too much money to renovate and it's old" but when they o to tear it down, not only does it take an extraordinary effort to demolish but the cost overruns make it more expensive to build the new building... the cheaper cost of renovation long forgotten.

[@jessemurray1757]

MANY Americans love history. Unfortunately, those with money and power do not.

[@653j521]

@@jessemurray1757 Some do and some don't. Have you done enough research to make that blanket statement?

[@653j521]

Renovation of an overly small and outmoded building in a key spot is hugely expensive in every way. I'm sure if you were a worker there you wouldn't romanticize it.

[@andreasmorgen7575]

@K Kr he did say many not all...

[@Aeyekay0]

those ugly glass and metal cubes replaced that beautiful building, what sad decision it what to destroy that building

[@louisaugustexvi4515]

It is a Mies Van Der Rohe Masterpiece. You may see 50 drab buildings that look familiar to these 3 but the thing is they created this trend. they’re like a black chanel dress, timeless, perfect. they have beautiful lobbies all leading out to the calder statues. the Interiors are well thought out with high quality materials making them luxurious and practical, and quite frankly they changed american architecture forever

[@alaskanpitbull]

Loved the video, but I would put in a slight criticism. The buildings that currently stand on the site today are obviously no replacement for the beauty and opulence of the old Federal Building, but I take exception to them being called a bleak corporate abomination. The new federal plaza was designed by Mies van der Rohe and is intended to be a “less is more” modernest approach to architecture. Mies is also one of our most famous and revered Chicago architects alongside Sullivan, Burnham, Root, and Wright. I know that Mies’ architectural style is not to everyone’s taste, but that doesn’t make it an abomination. It’s still a shame and a tragedy that the city decided to demolish the old building, but in terms of its replacement, you could do a lot worse.

[@stephenmoerlein8470]

I agree. Mies is iconic from a different era.

[@zagatoalfa]

Bingo. The current post office and it’s plaza are fantastic.

[@anthonyberardi3611]

Here, here!

[@brushcreek42]

van der Rohe's is nothing more than a sleep inducing glass and steel building that stands out in no way from thousands of other ugly modernist buildings constructed since the 1950s. What would make this stand out from the thousands of others? I wouldn't walk a block to see this thing.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

@Kyle Fullenkamp Funny. Miesien architecture IS reductive.

[@samueljohnstone4720]

Hi I don't live in the US do you not have listed buildings? this Federal building was quite impressive I don't see how permission was given to demolish a historic structure

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

This building was demolished in 1965 back when these types of listings were very rare. Nowadays, we have a lot more in the way of historical preservation but this was the 1960s.

[@asb3pe]

It's because it doesn't fit into conventional history... so it HAD to be destroyed. There are a LOT of such architectural mis-fits around the world, but most people don't see them as such because it isn't taught in university or in the academic textbooks. Some call it "Tartarian" architecture but that's a red-herring misnomer term, the term I think is best for them is "worldwide consistent architecture", and these buildings tell a fascinating story that you won't hear in the mainstream (or even on this channel). Another term to look up and study is "starforts" which again is a generic term that is probably not the correct word for them, but it is the best search term to discover yet another fascinating angle to our past human history that has largely been covered up and never really discussed in depth. Almost ALL the major european cities were once "starfort" constuction on a massive scale, the ancient maps show their former glory, most of it now de-constructed and hence erased from conventional history...

[@teen_laqueefa]

@@asb3pe Yes here in America our forts were starforts near waterways

[@ecmunz]

The US only passed a historic preservation bill in 1966. And even then it has taken an enormous amount of public input/protest to keep historic buildings from being demolished.

[@653j521]

Have you considered the cost of repairing and updating a structure that is no longer large enough for a necessary job in that central spot? Clearly the bomber wasn't as enamored of it as people are in retrospect. What could have been done for the poor with the money for that dome and embellishments?

[@schr75]

Great channel

[@ITSHISTORY]

Great comment:)

[@charlie-lx6sl]

You did a real nice job on this Great oration

[@AshLilburne]

Ryan all these videos are brilliant. Keep it up mate 👍

[@Shahrdad]

I thought there was always something odd and not quite right about the outside of this building, but the interior of the dome was just magnificent. I'd still prefer that to the grim Mies cubes that occupy the site now.

[@originaluddite]

Great to see Abbott and Costello playing their part in city planning at 7:45 in. :)

[@gbode7762]

The current building isn’t an abomination. The service at that post office however…

[@geofftucker9622]

…is the worst ever?

[@nikkola33]

Well its not as beautiful as the previous building.

[@strangeluck]

I wish you'd explained more about the structural problems it encountered. You might not like what went in it's place but it sounded like it was fatally flawed and required razing.

[@deucegoose8675]

The old building was truly beautiful but I believe there is a subtle beauty to Mies's design as well. They are steel and glass boxes but there are many small design choices that enable me to appreciate it more than most modern highrise projects

[@mrs.g.9816]

I think Beaux Arts is one of the most beautiful architectural styles. So much better than all the cold, drab, strictly functional architecture of today. I like that Vincent Scully quote, "One entered the city like a god, one scuttles in now like a rat."

[@dogwklr]

When you realise how many countries have these basically identical buildings and how many were demolished, it really makes you wonder wtf ws going on back then. We have so many left but have lost even more. If they all still stood, the world would look oddly uniform

[@kramnalla64]

the upside down photo at 13:23 really confusing

[@chiron14pl]

I agree with your assessment of the aesthetics of the new Federal buildings. You could have added the note that they were designed by Mies van der Rohe, another noted Chicago architect.

[@markiangooley]

What’s the difference between masonary and masonry?

[@stephenmoerlein8470]

Interesting history. Thanks for posting

[@beanzbros886]

I love your videos

[@johnnyzeee5215]

Of course. So many great architectural treasures in this country, have been lost forever.

[@mkervelegan]

Not quite so: the Custom House was built in 1932 as a Federal building, housing many Federal departments and agencies in Chicago and supplanting the nearby Federal Building.

[@keithbattaglia]

Amazing how this old Tartarian architecture was erased from when Chicago was Chilaga. We didn’t build these

[@0fficialdregs]

that quote near the end was also used when the famous Pennsylvania Station was destroyed.

[@drewbaker100]

Please be respectful of Meis Van Der Rohe. He is a major part of Chicago history as well. The courthouse may have been gone too soon for some, however it would have been a complete rundown relic by now.

[@HobbyOrganist]

There are buildings in Europe 900 years old still in daily use, age is not a problem NEGLECT and changing "styles" are the problem

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Mies' Federal Plaza has also had refurbishments as well. No matter. His buildings, whether in Chicago, New York or Toronto, all resemble each other save some sleight details. While I can certainly appreciate and understand what he was trying to acheive, his buildings do not relate to the city on a pedestrian, street level. Nor do they create memorable skylines. Cities which have a minimal representation of Miesien works, should be relieved that their urban fabric was spared.

[@daniellinehan63]

Mies= ugly Boxes

[@AbstractEntityJ]

No, I don't respect him.

[@claudermiller]

Americans. Let's tear down all these decrepit buildings and build a modern skyscraper. No! Let's tear down this absolutely gorgeous one instead.

[@mrpeel3239]

Luv that Scully quote!

[@albinosquirlz]

Anyone who refers to the Mies design as "a bleak corporate abomination" has no credibility as an architecture critc. Chicago traded up.

[@whattheshep6814]

Now that winter's here, you can take your cold takes home.

[@Itravelbackintime]

The building could have been a museum. The Chicago Heritage Museum.

[@anrn5303]

@10:23 this is when you start to pronounce “masonary” instead of “masonry”; still a great video!

[@FernandoTRA]

So I wasn't the only one that noticed it.

[@anrn5303]

@@FernandoTRA right right? :)

[@FernandoTRA]

@@anrn5303 yes

[@bengilbreath]

I can't not hear it.

[@anrn5303]

@@bengilbreath listen closely, attentively :)

[@lisaciota1177]

The current Federal Center is a rhapsody of precision, light and air. Like the classic little black Chanel dress, the space today is open and airy in the middle the city. It allows space for people to engage with the famous Alexander Calder sculpture or enjoy a farmers market or to gather and protest. As nice as the old building may have been, it doesn’t match the elegance of the masterpiece by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe.

[@OrphanDirector]

Thank you, came here looking for this. If you are going to bash Van der Rohe you better at least mention his name in the video. With so many imitators I understand why some people like this guy don’t get it. But I’ll never forget, as a native Chicagoan, whose old man worked in the federal building for 30 years, the unbelievable majesty and precision and power I felt in the plaza as I saw all the lines in the skyscraper matching the lines in the massive concrete I was standing on. Van der Rohe changed the game forever and pushed us into the next era. Cobb made a nice swan song to the last era at best, one among many.

[@louisaugustexvi4515]

THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@vassa1972]

Good stuff I wish you guys do something on my city of Hamilton Ontario Canada, they had a old history of street cars too I think?

[@deanmitchell904]

That's a Mies Van Der Rohe masterpiece, not a bleak building. Old one is cool too. But the new one is actually history.

[@dogwklr]

Sure thing. Concrete and glass trash is way more impressive than a building that could literally never be replicated for the rest of time. No wonder they were torn down when tasteless eyes look at them as "cool" 🙄 The narrative of structural problems is fcking hilarious. A building so heavy and vast would not stand for decades then suddenly have major issues, they would be apparent immediately due to the colossal weight having to be handled by the foundations.

[@daniellinehan63]

Mies= ugly box

[@chathamcrescent]

Cool video and subject matter! Btw, it’s masonry, not “masonery”

[@mr.k6136]

Being from Chicago I appreciate all the buildings and architecture you cover in this wonderful but ugly City that I live in

[@gervorusreturns4300]

Sorry your ghetto

[@abusednomoresilence]

I love Chicago but I detest violence and crime. Including the Court System that keeps letting criminals out on electronic monitoring.

[@mattdeans9873]

Thanks for a wonderful informative video. Love love love old classical architecture. If you are narrating this video... I dont want to appear uppity.... you pronounce beaux arts as 'boh-zart.' its just a french thing. and soften the 'T' at the end. ;)

[@tahiragibson6407]

Actually the old building looked rather dark and oppressive, like a jail, or something Kafka would get lost in.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Yes, and modern schools, churches, banks, all look like office buildings. Yawn!

[@ArtistsCry13]

The Kluczynski Federal Building is not a bleak and corporate abomination! This is one of the finest, classiest examples of modernist architecture. Just because it’s sleek with black steel and glass doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful. The Chicago Federal Building was rapidly falling apart and was severely out of date. You have to remember the attitude at the time and the fact that it was built at the height of modernist architecture - neoclassical buildings were considered ugly and obsolete. The movement to preserve old buildings was only JUST beginning then as the general attitude was that only Europeans did that. After all, this is America - we are a modern, progressive, forward-thinking society and our civilization is based on the cutting edge and the new and improved (at the time this was actually true, whereas now Europe is like this). Just because a building lacks any ornamentation DOES NOT mean that it can’t be beautiful - Modernist architecture was about proving that there was beauty in minimalism and ornament is unneeded (and this is coming from someone who loves Classical architecture).

[@jubu3136]

the original post office was amazing haha that guy needs his eyes checked.

[@utahdan231]

When I read a book Lost Chicago , my heart breaks.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Read this classic upon first moving to Chicago. I was astonished at just how many masterpieces were given the heave ho for even the flimsiest excuses. The grief only becomes more acute when one really delves into the subject and comes across examples of the first Chicago School, which were wantonly done away with. The Loop itself, would be more lively and far more interesting had they kept so many of these beautiful structures. The Loop has lost so much of its vitality.

[@mariocisneros911]

Old man Mayor Richard Daley(the father),(1902-1976) was farsighted, but ignorant to preserving many elaborate architectural masterpieces. These buildings were built 1885-1915 ,the mayor living with them , didnt appreciate the masterpieces we had. All were from an era like the Titanic: Glass stained windows, marble walls, pillars, floors, brass fixtures, beautiful iron elavators.. A dozen were torn down when he was mayor1955-76, maybe more. And many more 1939-54

[@zagatoalfa]

Calling buildings designed by one of the worlds most celebrated architects is an interesting move.

[@keithstevens5614]

They should had moved the post office floor underground not to break its vertical symmetry.

[@mikegruber172]

They can thank Brunelesschi from Florence

[@bucurserjobsj]

Poor old federal bilding.. such a beautiful arhitecture.. 😥 Btw: it's the same place they filmed "office christmas party" 🤣🤣

[@eprohoda]

good night-unuual shots.

[@robertwbingo]

Love your videos, but......"Masonary"? Uh-uh. "Masonry".

[@rosezingleman5007]

Surprising isn’t it?

[@ITSHISTORY]

Dyslexia

[@According1111]

This was built well before our time.

[@BGTuyau]

And so one must conclude that MIT is not prestigious? [approximately 3:18-3:23] That said, nice historical research, minutely detailed at times -along with supporting graphics.

[@patrickf.4440]

Let me correct Mies Van Der Rohe: Less is Less. Pat, in Chicago

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Precisely!!!

[@hotdawg9840]

He said prestigious.....it's... Prestige Worldwide wide wide wide wide

[@JM-ec9kp]

This channel is incredibly based

[@hopatease1]

Why was it torn down and replaced . Heck I can say it in two words KICK BACK . The graft that was involved and money that went back in forth made many rich .Its the way it always works .

[@daniellinehan63]

After 1955........!!.......no great building was safe.

[@nakayle]

Seems like there could have been other land found for the new buildings rather than destroying this one.

[@kurtmanasco67]

That's a shame that would have added to the city something other than what they have now

[@johnerwin9024]

the destruction Europe experienced in WWII in many ways matched here in the U.S. with urban renewal following the war 😶

[@tsnovak20]

America used to be so beautiful... now it's just a glass box with a parking lot and a highway

[@MeTubeERG]

God, what a galactic, nightmarish waste. Plenty of gorgeous Chicago landmarks are as old if not older than this buidling and are still standing in splendor.

[@thomasdriessen937]

was gonna watch this, then the "Extra sponsorship " came up. closed the window

[@majorneptunejr]

Your loss .

[@johnmercier5868]

What's the difference between Masonry and masonary. Masonary isn't a word. Masonry (ma-son-ry) is the proper word for stone work and for the famous fraternity. Please learn to pronounce it correctly

[@stenbak88]

The government is so over inflated with workers who do nothing

[@Jasona1976]

What a cultural disaster the loss of this building was.

[@mikevale3620]

Similarly in Australia where I am, the 1960's was a shocking time for the destruction of Victorian era buildings as we were then living in the 'modern age' of space travel etc and the new public buildings had to reflect that, but they are generally souless boxes without any redeeming qualities and consequently arriving like a god, but these days scurrying in like a rat is very appropriate.

[@johndonlon1611]

This building was a stinking rat-infested mess when it finally was demolished. To this day I can remember as it sat, half demolished with its many itty-bitty green painted rooms, all covered in years of cigarette and cigar smoke, and it just stunk like old tobacco smoke and urine......good riddance.

[@brianc75yt]

A good story about excellence and American ingenuity. Suggestion: the proper word is “masonry” (ma-son-ry) - not “masonary,” which is not in the dictionary.

[@anthonyellis987]

Another beautiful building gone. Today cities are turning into canyons of soulless, uninspiring glass and steel constructions.

[@drewh9166]

MASONRY not MASONARY! I hear ppl say that all the time though

[@majorneptunejr]

I would have never noticed if it was not for the comments

[@carlthornton3076]

Very Good!... #215 ✝ {7-20-2022}

[@sos10]

Thabk god they tore down that banal and uninspired building and replaced it with the exciting Mies designed building that is world renowned for its beauty.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

When tour guides lead groups to explore Chicago's Loop, the Federal Plaza, is not given much time, and for good reason. The spare linear series of boxes, while dignified, simply give the appearance of being an office complex situated on a barren plaza. One would hardly be blamed for not thinking that they contain courtooms and other governmental functions. The point is that Chicago's record at preserving one of the aspects its world known for, has been a mixed bag to a poor one at best. If the city had taken its architectural legacy and standing on a more serious level early on, they would have taken pains to save the noble and imposing old Federal Building and placed the Federal Plaza at an alternative location. Then again, the reality of Chicago circa the 1960s was that most people during that time harbored minimal interest in buildings of historic value. Mayor Daley had little love for historic preservation. In fact he was all for doing away with anything that recalled Chicago's sordid past. Al Capone, Chicago's most notorious gangster, was put on trial in the Federal Building. Knowing that the "Boss," disliked any references to Capone, would have been reason enough in his eyes to get rid of the Federal Building. Nevertheless, had the building survived, it would have been put into other uses, and with a good scrub down, plus strategic lighting on its facade and commanding dome, it would have been an imposing and luminous sight at night, as opposed to the dark, urban tundra that spurns visitors now.

[@monnezzapromizoulin5169]

You really have to be American to have so little respect for historic buildings

[@richardnelson64]

Good story!! 🖖🌞❗👌👉👍🔆😀💠✝️♥️✌️☮️🎆

[@user-rh8yw6qj5j]

Please say masonry not masonary,

[@MrInfinitefinality]

Finders keepers !

[@smokeheavystudios]

Do St. Louis’ Mill Creek neighborhood! Definitely an interesting story that should be told. Great video as always man.

[@joywest8411]

Tartaria .. research.

[@salty6pence672]

✌️❤️

[@ITSHISTORY]

Peace!

[@jake1776]

America's greatest days are behind her, sadly. All the beauty torn down and replaced by giant garbage bins.

[@rob5894]

Tear down beauty to build a glass box. Just disgusting.

[@FordFracture]

I've been to both of them so I've been told but I don't remember the first federal building because I was only one year old . but I will say the current federal building is UGLY and a waste of space ! but that's how Chicago Operates ! waste as much money as you can and take twice as long

[@scottblance1473]

Had to downvote for the slander on Big Bill Haywood and the IWW! Leave the red scare hysteria in the past

[@misterx7171]

WHY ARE SO MANY OTHER SIMILAR BUILDINGS IN THE US AND AROUND THE WORLD STILL STANDING?? THIS STORY DOESN'T SEEM TO MAKE SENSE..

[@jubu3136]

what crane lifted that dome? it would be 100 tonne plus

[@Fevebblefester]

Built in place?

[@andreasmorgen7575]

As you can see in the video the dome was not lifted and dropped down. It was built in stages.

[@anthonyberardi3611]

I don't agree with your "opinion" of the present day Federal Center. And I'm certain Mies would take issue with you as well. Your pedestrian and philistien approach as to what constitutes good architecture is purely that of your own.

[@danjackson2014]

We did NOT build these buildings.... Have you heard of TARTARIA.....

[@mariocisneros911]

The 1940's - the 1960's saw so many masterpieces destroyed and many by papa Daley after 1955 . OH THIS IS THE REAL BUILDING WHERE AL CAPONE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF TAX EVASION .

[@paulwilliams8725]

👍 🇬🇧

[@robertdipaola3447]

Its a Dame shame, made about as much sense as the destruction of penn station in nyc for that hatbox called Madison Square garden!!!

[@TruthSpeaker3]

Right, because we need a building with imported marble from Italy, for a post office. Ok. Stay gullible folks

[@richardkennedy8481]

The pictures you're showing don't match what you are saying.

[@christopherwelch136]

Too depressing to watch.