Lee Bey
@leebey1.bsky.social
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.
Today's architecture column. The giant Illinois Medical District to get its first new park in 80 years, designed by the landscape architecture firm, site design.
Illinois Medical District getting its first park in 80 years
Officials and architects said the park would act as a place of activity and rest. It will also be the site of the memorial dedicated to COVID-19 victims and workers.
chicago.suntimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Today's architecture column. The giant Illinois Medical District to get its first new park in 80 years, designed by the landscape architecture firm, site design.
Man o man o man. My bud Bill Kurtis sent me a copy of his new book, Whirlwind: My Life Reporting the News. I cannot wait to dig in.
December 3, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Man o man o man. My bud Bill Kurtis sent me a copy of his new book, Whirlwind: My Life Reporting the News. I cannot wait to dig in.
In today's paper: The print version of my latest column.
December 1, 2025 at 3:19 PM
In today's paper: The print version of my latest column.
The lovely Annazette Chase in this very cool and sophisticated 1970 commercial for Profile bread. A year later, the bread's makers skinned back the weight loss claims after getting sued by the FTC.
December 1, 2025 at 3:02 AM
The lovely Annazette Chase in this very cool and sophisticated 1970 commercial for Profile bread. A year later, the bread's makers skinned back the weight loss claims after getting sued by the FTC.
Now *these* were snowstorms, baby.
Legendary Blizzards — A Chicago Stories Documentary
YouTube video by WTTW
youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Now *these* were snowstorms, baby.
Heck yes, all rise for the judge: The 1969 Pontiac GTO "The Judge." (And Paul Revere & The Raiders.)
November 30, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Heck yes, all rise for the judge: The 1969 Pontiac GTO "The Judge." (And Paul Revere & The Raiders.)
Today's architecture column. In an ironic twist, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks next month will weigh granting preliminary landmark status for 30 N. LaSalle St., the nondescript building for which Louis Sullivan’s masterpiece, the Chicago Stock Exchange Building, was sacrificed in 1972.
Loop skyscraper that replaced Louis Sullivan masterpiece heads toward landmark protection
In an ironic twist, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks next month will weigh granting preliminary landmark status for 30 N. LaSalle St. for which Sullivan's masterpiece was sacrificed.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Today's architecture column. In an ironic twist, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks next month will weigh granting preliminary landmark status for 30 N. LaSalle St., the nondescript building for which Louis Sullivan’s masterpiece, the Chicago Stock Exchange Building, was sacrificed in 1972.
Bears beat the Lions in OT, 45 years ago today. I remember this like it was yesterday.
November 27, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Bears beat the Lions in OT, 45 years ago today. I remember this like it was yesterday.
Walter Payton uses a paper transfer to ride public transit on the 1979 RTA commercial.
November 24, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Walter Payton uses a paper transfer to ride public transit on the 1979 RTA commercial.
I can't sing and can't play a musical instrument. But back in 1985 when I had to pose for this group shot, I totally tried to steal what Jellybean Johnson did on the cover of The Time's 1981 album. The power of the skinny tie compelled me.
November 23, 2025 at 12:18 AM
I can't sing and can't play a musical instrument. But back in 1985 when I had to pose for this group shot, I totally tried to steal what Jellybean Johnson did on the cover of The Time's 1981 album. The power of the skinny tie compelled me.
Ladies and gentlemen: The Time.
The Time - The Walk & 777 9311 (Live on Night Times Variety Show)
YouTube video by UNDFTDGordon
youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Ladies and gentlemen: The Time.
Today's architecture column in print. “This is a unique little jewel box,” Chicago art historian and stained glass expert Rolf Achilles said of Ave Maria chapel in the West Lawn neighborhood. “[It’s] absolutely unique. There’s nothing like it in Chicago.”
November 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Today's architecture column in print. “This is a unique little jewel box,” Chicago art historian and stained glass expert Rolf Achilles said of Ave Maria chapel in the West Lawn neighborhood. “[It’s] absolutely unique. There’s nothing like it in Chicago.”
Am looking up WPA era schools and found this near-cousin to Chicago Vocational: Weequhic High School in Newark. Built in 1933 and designed by architects Guilbert & Betelle.
November 22, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Am looking up WPA era schools and found this near-cousin to Chicago Vocational: Weequhic High School in Newark. Built in 1933 and designed by architects Guilbert & Betelle.
Reposted by Lee Bey
Here is the Stahl family's FB message regarding the sale of Case Study House 22. Possibly my all-time #1 architecture tour... Carlotta and Mark Stahl were hosting and it was absolutely magical. No one wanted to leave. Won't be the same under new owners, esp. given likely price tag, but 🤞
November 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Here is the Stahl family's FB message regarding the sale of Case Study House 22. Possibly my all-time #1 architecture tour... Carlotta and Mark Stahl were hosting and it was absolutely magical. No one wanted to leave. Won't be the same under new owners, esp. given likely price tag, but 🤞
Today's architecture column. “This is a unique little jewel box,” Chicago art historian and stained glass expert Rolf Achilles said of Ave Maria chapel in the West Lawn neighborhood. “[It’s] absolutely unique. There’s nothing like it in Chicago.
Endangered Southwest Side chapel designed by Lithuanian refugees could be headed toward salvation
"There's nothing like it in Chicago," historian Rolf Achilles said.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Today's architecture column. “This is a unique little jewel box,” Chicago art historian and stained glass expert Rolf Achilles said of Ave Maria chapel in the West Lawn neighborhood. “[It’s] absolutely unique. There’s nothing like it in Chicago.
Today's column. Bronzeville's landmark South Side Community Art Center gets a $2 million Richard Driehaus Foundation grant that'll go toward restoring and doubling the size of its historic building.
Bronzeville's historic arts center's glow-up boosted by new $2 million grant
The Driehaus Foundation gift goes toward restoring and doubling the size of the nation's oldest Black American art center.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Today's column. Bronzeville's landmark South Side Community Art Center gets a $2 million Richard Driehaus Foundation grant that'll go toward restoring and doubling the size of its historic building.
My Obama Center column in today's print edition. "What we did realize is that in 50 years ... people will want to pay homage [to Obama’s presidency]," architect Billie Tsien said. "This was a crucial time in the history of our country. Therefore, the building needs to have a kind of power to it."
November 16, 2025 at 1:37 PM
My Obama Center column in today's print edition. "What we did realize is that in 50 years ... people will want to pay homage [to Obama’s presidency]," architect Billie Tsien said. "This was a crucial time in the history of our country. Therefore, the building needs to have a kind of power to it."
Man o man o man, I had a blast at lunch today meeting and chatting with artist Ellen Harvey who was in town. She created Commuter Carpet -- now being removed from the Brown Line Francisco stop bc of wear. The Disappointed Tourist an ingenious show now at the Chicago Architecture Center is also hers.
November 15, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Man o man o man, I had a blast at lunch today meeting and chatting with artist Ellen Harvey who was in town. She created Commuter Carpet -- now being removed from the Brown Line Francisco stop bc of wear. The Disappointed Tourist an ingenious show now at the Chicago Architecture Center is also hers.
On the Sun-Times TikTok today, talking about the Obama Presidential Center.
November 13, 2025 at 10:13 PM
On the Sun-Times TikTok today, talking about the Obama Presidential Center.
Today's column: An early look at the Obama Center. Not a critique, but "enough has been built to get a sense of what the public will get for giving up 20 acres of historic Jackson Park for a campus of new buildings, gardens, parkland — and the much-discussed 225-foot museum tower."
Obama Presidential Center takes shape after 10 years of delays and construction
"In 50 years, when none of us are here, people will want to pay homage [to Obama's presidency]. This was a crucial time in the history of our country. Therefore, the building needs to have a kind of p...
chicago.suntimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Today's column: An early look at the Obama Center. Not a critique, but "enough has been built to get a sense of what the public will get for giving up 20 acres of historic Jackson Park for a campus of new buildings, gardens, parkland — and the much-discussed 225-foot museum tower."
A hard-hatted group of Chicago museum professionals chat with architect Billie Tsien before they tour the Obama Presidential Center construction site, 11/5/25
November 11, 2025 at 1:03 AM
A hard-hatted group of Chicago museum professionals chat with architect Billie Tsien before they tour the Obama Presidential Center construction site, 11/5/25
Reposted by Lee Bey
People want to be with other people. A recent event showcased the wisdom of William H Whyte, and I ask: why don’t our public spaces follow his lead? www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/art-...
Parks should be made for people. Why does such an obvious idea elude us?
We need to create spaces where people want to gather, as William H. Whyte argued, but the central requirements are sadly absent in Canadian public spaces
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
People want to be with other people. A recent event showcased the wisdom of William H Whyte, and I ask: why don’t our public spaces follow his lead? www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/art-...
Pix from a really good architecture panel Oct 20th (my 60th birthday) at Perkins & Will. Fellow panelists included Chicago Architecture Center CEO Eleanor Gorski, and Ari Glass, head of Real Estate at Mansueto Office. P&W Managing Director Margaret Cavenagh was moderator. (Photos by Lori Compas.)
November 8, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Pix from a really good architecture panel Oct 20th (my 60th birthday) at Perkins & Will. Fellow panelists included Chicago Architecture Center CEO Eleanor Gorski, and Ari Glass, head of Real Estate at Mansueto Office. P&W Managing Director Margaret Cavenagh was moderator. (Photos by Lori Compas.)
With architect Billie Tsien this morning outside the Obama Presidential Center site.
November 5, 2025 at 6:48 PM
With architect Billie Tsien this morning outside the Obama Presidential Center site.
Had a great time this evening talking architecture, history, redevelopment and more at Loyola University. Big thanks to Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies Director Bill French for setting it up.
November 4, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Had a great time this evening talking architecture, history, redevelopment and more at Loyola University. Big thanks to Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies Director Bill French for setting it up.