Lee Bey
@leebey1.bsky.social
1.9K followers 340 following 340 posts
Architecture critic for Chicago Sun-Times and ABC7 Chicago. Author/photographer of Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side. I dig vintage TV/movies and 20th century funk, soul and jazz.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
leebey1.bsky.social
The Chicago Architecture Center's Open House Chicago is next weekend. But the Sun-Times asked me to get a jump on it for this weekend. This year’s OHC has 200+ sites with 30 new places to gawk at. All of them are pretty good, but here are my top five:
Open House Chicago returns next weekend. Here are the top 5 must-see sights.
This year's event includes 30 new places to gawk at, and while all of them are pretty good, there's a few worth checking out.
chicago.suntimes.com
leebey1.bsky.social
Got this today from Joshua Bowen at TickTock Filmworks and Kurtis Productions: My 2023 Midwest Emmy nomination as host of Building/Blocks, our doc on South Side architecture, based on my Southern Exposure book. Our team got nominated, but didn't win. But just getting the nod was (and is) a blast!
leebey1.bsky.social
Turning 60 this month. So I'm easing the shock of it all by listening to music from my youth. (More than I do normally, I mean.)
After Hi School by The Time on Apple Music
Song · 1981 · Duration 4:22
music.apple.com
leebey1.bsky.social
I dug this song back in high school. And the call-and-response near the end, plus the bass synth running through the tune are the chef's kiss.
Beverly by Fonzi Thornton on Apple Music
Song · 1982 · Duration 5:26
music.apple.com
Reposted by Lee Bey
neilsteinberg.bsky.social
If it helps, there is a long tradition of the U.S. government sending soldiers to make things worse in Chicago. From the 1894 Pullman strike:
Reposted by Lee Bey
leebey1.bsky.social
Thank you, Dennis!
leebey1.bsky.social
*Ballinger, I mean.
leebey1.bsky.social
Man o man. Lee Marvin as Lt. Frank Ballenger, wheeling that big Ford down Wacker Drive past the old Sun-Times Building in this 1960 episode of M Squad.
leebey1.bsky.social
I spotted a phone booth in the men's room of Bar Sol restaurant at Navy Pier today. Phone doesn't work tho.
leebey1.bsky.social
The righteously polychromatic front entrance to Haven of Rest MBC's John L. Conner Fellowship Hall, 7901 S. Stony Island. Built in 1928 as Raphael's restaurant, designed by architect Frederick Stanton. Seen by me today when the good folks at Haven of Rest gave me a tour.
leebey1.bsky.social
A cut from an album I bought way back in 1983, Warm Summer's Night from the NYC Peech Boys. Don't Make Me Wait was the hit, but the whole album is worth revisiting. Bernard Fowler kills on vocals.
Warm Summer's Night by Peech Boys on Apple Music
Song · 1983 · Duration 4:52
music.apple.com
leebey1.bsky.social
The former Cairo Supper Club building, 4013 N. Sheridan. Built in 1920 as a car showroom. Designed by Paul Gerhardt, seen by me 9/1/2025
leebey1.bsky.social
*Bloomingdale Trail. Darn autocorrect.
leebey1.bsky.social
A piano atop the old Bloomingdale's Trail, a few years before the former railroad line was turned into The 606. I can't remember what year I took this photo, tho. Maybe 2011.