Why Everyone Wants to Live in These Corn Cobs 

Need a vid of this

I wanna clap that 💦

Yes. But what is the sound of one hand clapping?

If this were Reddit, I'd give you an award.

this needs a smarter every day episode, where is destin?

I dated a guy who lived in these in the 90's. I think back then they were called Marina Towers. And you're right, it was shaped like a pizza slice. He had a studio and it was even smaller. I loved when it got dark and I could look out at the all the twinkling lights in the distance. I lived in a house on Hermitage and Irving Park road and it was my first time in a high rise.

The whole thing was a terrible idea. I had a friend who lived there and you basically have to step over homeless drug addicts who may or may not attack you, depending on their current state of maggot infested inebriation. The river stinks. The maddening street noise echoes all the way up to the highest floors. Best of all you live in the inner-city loop of one of the world's most violent and crime-ridden cities. A sweet bonus as of 2023, you have an actual Marxist as a mayor. So yeah, iconic... and total garbage.

Exactly! I had table-height bruises on my legs for about 6 months after moving there. Fitting small rectangles in a triangle is way harder than it looks. Did you ever climb from your balcony to your neighbors? I didn't but saw it twice.

So each apartment has a balcony, in the living room I assume, so where are the windows of the other rooms?

I had friends that lived in a unit about 15 years ago. I visited his and a double unit upstairs from his. They are the most ghastly misuse of space in the history of building. You will always be able to use more of a rectangle than a pizza slice. P.s. most of us chicagoians prefer square cut pizzas too.

👍

Doesn’t qualify as brutalism then

Anti-human trash. Misanthropic and evil.

I thought the point of brutalism was to be ugly and soulless and in conflict with its surroundings

@yungrich.nbroke @NeDeS Brutalism is a really complicated architectural style that is hard to qualify. At its absolute, the term brutalism comes from the French phrase "béton brut," which means "raw concrete," and refers to the extensive use of concrete as the primary building material and structure. Concrete was a relatively new material, and it can be used to seamlessly flow from floor to walls to ceilings, allowing shapes that are impossible in other materials, and also blurring structural elements with ornamentation. Ideologically, Brutalism was a response to three things: the necessity to build housing quickly and cheaply after the War, the perceived opportunity to rebuild cities better and more equitably from the ashes, and to carry the previous trends toward accentuating function over ornamentation as the source of beauty. In short: utility and utopia. This is why it was so popular in the USSR. Unfortunately, this is a hard design ethos to execute well. Ikea makes simple, utilitarian furniture with clean lines well; Walmart does not. Utopia is a concept impossible to achieve. It's right there in the name, since utopia means "no place" in ancient Greek. Architects are definitely NOT the people who can create Utopias, though they sure try. Le Corbusier was infamous for this. He was also an advocate for authoritarianism and fascism. Allison and Peter Smithson were genuine and sincere, but misguided on their execution (and also tyrannical). Public housing projects also fell victim to public funding, and that very soon ran out. Concrete does not age well, and Brutalist designers didn't take that into account. Marina City is an example of Brutalism, 100%. It's made of concrete in sculptural forms, it combines different uses for residents together into one complex in an effort to revitalize downtown and create a new lifestyle, and it was built post-War. Broom, Brutalism. It's just one of the very, very few examples of Brutalism that is universally considered beautiful. It has also been well maintained over the years. Another aspect is that those residential units may once have been affordable and middle class, but now they're luxury accomodations - something that applies to other successful Brutalist complexes across the world (particularly in Britain).

@@gregoryferraro7379 Nice write up. Thanks

That's what RU-vid basically is.

He does, it's on RU-vid and he's great at it.

@@usa1mac What's the name of the channel? This channel only has these 15 minute or less videos.

@@roccobierman4985that’s the maximum attention span people have nowadays anyway

@@usa1mac No he's really not great at it, he gets most of his city history wrong, etymology wrong, and doesn't understand any local opinion. This is the same idiot who made an entire video on why Wrigley Field is beloved when most people here hate it.

I hope the next time the building undergoes heavy renovation they convert as much of the parking as possible into new units or amenities. Though that will probably be very hard since the parking surface is slanted

@@HeavyRayne it's not something that could be converted just by how it's built, also where would all of the residents park? Literal hundreds of cars to fill 14 floors, residents would be parking miles away from home.

Cars care living space. We can't all be little borg ants that ride the bus every day

@@ForageGardener if your car is your living space you are homeless. Hope things get better for you!

@@Kursplunky I live across the river lol. There's more than enough parking in the area for residents. And it's not impossible to convert slanted parking garages into units of other amenities.

I saw similar buildings in Ukraine and Russia 🌽

certain architecture standards were common among eastern block nation I guess @@Da...

Tylko problem jest że komuna zniszczyła cały urok tych budynków

Have you had a chance to clap from the rooftops like that other commenter said?

Can you by any chance show the inside of it? A tour as such? And what's the range of the rent? Just curious. 🧐🙂

Is it not common for the bathroom to be the smallest room in Chicago?

My friend converted the closet her stacked washer/dryer was in on the middle floor of her townhouse to a bathroom, and took out a section of bedroom closet above it to put the washer/dryer. 3 story townhouse was stupidly designed with 2 bathrooms on the top floor, no bathrooms on middle floor, and garage+entry on bottom floor. So it's a really small, claustrophobic bathroom... but it works. (Just toilet and very thin sink, of course.)

I'm guessing that, being "older" architecture, things like noise are not an issue, as they are in modern apts/buildings. As a lifelong renter, being able to hear my neighbors simply _talking_ or just walking around is tops on my list of "what I hate about renting." And I have to admit, you make me a bit "jelly!" 😉

The balconies are large enough that you could use them without feeling claustrophobic. The circular design makes this possible. A great idea by the architects.

I hadn't thought of that. Yeah, 4th of July would be awesome there. I've lived in places on hills where it was hard to count how many fireworks displays there were off in the distance; Chicago should be llike that only more so!

The rooftop views are amazing but the apartments themselves are...well, they're apartments. They're still kinda mid, especially considering how fucking expensive Marina Towers is to live in. Nobody's trying to live there lol

Awesome; bet you're White. 😂

What did they do for a living?

I agree 😉

It’s crazy because they are like $2000 now in Chicago for a studio.

The driving off the garage happened twice. Once was for a film, once was for a commercial. Never by accident.

​@@MegamibunnyA studio in downtown Toronto is 2500

Would that theoretically have been possible? Not just construction wise but also legally?

@@stadtjer689 probably not. You would have to be compromising the strength of the reinforced concrete floor/ceiling.

Sometimes it can be done - we rented a 3bdrm, 3 bath unit in the Outer Drive East bldg that used to be three 1bdrms, with 2 on one floor and the third one on the next floor up. They were able to cut thru the ceiling/floor and put in a staircase. but it wasn’t a poured cement bldg.

@@stadtjer689 I cant speak on connection an upstairs unit together, but someone in marina towers bought the place next to his and tore down the walls to make a giant unit.

@@kev60625 it is hard to know the structural details of cost concrete buildings from the 50s, but in newer buildings often times partitions are not structural so this is a more and more doable thing in post tensioned buildings

Thank you! You can always spot that fx6 footage!

@@stewarthicks came here to say the same thing. Geoffery Baer WTTW level. Top notch.

Yeah; way to go Whitey.😂

@@christopherleander9068huh

I can't even imagine being able to afford any property...

and much less expensive compared to now

Nothing against the building. I visited an apartment once many years ago. I had an office nearby that had a balcony and it was unusable 90% of the time. Too windy, too cold, and too many spiders.

You are living my dream! I just left the comment on how I nearly took out a studio in the 90s when I came to Chicago for University as it was actually affordable at that time! In the end I opted for another apartment in the Gold Coast but oh, to have one of those balconies!! Balconies not only reserved for the penthouse and upper floors but each and every apartment! I could imagine stringing Christmas lights and having each and every meal outside as weather allowed! My friends thought I was crazy as is so windy in the area but I always blamed the wind on the IBM building. It was so windy at the base that they were ropes strung out almost like a rope queue so people could grab on in case a gust caught them off-guard.

Yeah, that's my only reservation about the place -- some people have to drive up the ramp 14 stories to their car space? On the other hand, skating down the ramp...

@@elhoward7440 Nobody drives their car up 14 stories, it is now a valet, as the comment says.

Architect here too 👍

My mom always taken us downtown during the day while my father was at work. It was always an adventure. Until this day besides the name I've never understood the difference between Marshall Field's and Wieboldt's that was on State Street. They both sold the same merchandise and both had the same dark green shopping bags.

I think it's funny how everybody here in the Chi kind of agrees that Marina Towers are horribly ugly looking, but we also kind of love and accept them as part of the city because they're so unique looking.

My Grandfather took us there back in the 60's one time when we visited him and Grandma.

The river architecture tour was one of my favorite activities when visiting. The tour guide was charismatic and knowledgeable. Not a boring moment. Would love to do it again.

No, our "corn cob towers" really aren't a testament to good design lol Marina Towers is an eyesore, and the apartments are triangular with angled walls and it makes putting furniture or artwork up an absolute hassle. Not to mention the design of the parking garage which causes horrible icing problems in the winter. The views are superb though, and the rooftop is amazing.

Whatcha talkin about Willis??? It's Sears tower

​@@Brian-ic8db I was confused for a sec I didn't realize they changed the name.

​@@stephhhie17 the name changed in 2009.. it will always be the Sears Tower even though Sears is defunct it holds a place in American history therefore the name should stick !!!

What's the Willis Tower? Never heard of it! Are you talking about the Sears Tower!?!

@@IntriguedLioness I have fond memories of Sears as a kid when my mom worked there. And I like calling buildings by their original name, like the Roger's Center will always be the SkyDome to me.

I have the anime of Gunsmith Cats on VHS. Some great action sequences in it including one chase under the old Post office building and congress expressway.

Chiraq

The hunter with Steve McQueen give it a watch

Marina Towers has some of the best rooftop views of any building in this city but the apartments themselves are...well, they're apartments, so by definition they're pretty mid.

They still exist in Chicago

Wow, I thought that they would be much more than that by now, but considering how much apartments are going for on the east and west coast, that's comparable if you can afford it, but what is middle class anymore? Decades ago it had a ridiculous range from 20,000 to 200,000, that didn't make sense to me, because those incomes represented enormously different lifestyles.

That DOES seem reasonable. I'm surprised. Chicago is hands down my favorite city in the US. I often say it's like New York without the pretentiousness. It has great museums, a world class symphony, international cuisine, fabulous shopping, and amazing architecture. For its size, huge tracts of it are very walkable too. River North would be a wonderful place to live.

It did, in Asia and Europe...There are not as many round towers although there are some, but the idea of a complex with housing above and businesses below is everywhere in Asia and many places in Europe. As for the US, looking at zoning laws. I agree about residential towers being built for the luxury market in many places. Continental Europe does not have a stigma to social housing, but the UK does, the US does.

@@thesupremekai1980s the concept of a city-in-a-building has been tried all over Europe, yes, but it hasn't succeeded everywhere. They often suffer from vicious cycles of people and businesses leaving, causing rents to go up and utilities becoming more rundown, forcing more people to leave.

@@albertweber1617 Right but when it's done right, the commercial property helps pay for the general upkeep of the whole complex, as in the video. There are also bad designs. As a concept, it has to be expected properly.

Dense urban environment, as you say, IS the problem many cities are having. Density is NOT GOOD unless it's done right, and these ain't done right. They just add people to already overburdened infrastructure.

​@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ hail satan :)

could you elaborate? i'm pretty curious. these videos always shine a washing light on everything and tend to ignore the downsides.

Same

He listed some benefits but neglected some of the drawbacks, its not a particularly efficient use of space. The big residential blocks we are used to seeing in urban areas are able to house more people for a given volume, making a strong economic motivation for the layout.

Round is more expensive, and as I've learned from my AFrame, non-square makes fitting furniture difficult. That being said, the round section being the picture windows means you wouldn't want any furniture up against he round part anyway. All the furniture should be facing the windows instead.

@@DrewLSsix I would like to see a comparison between the number of residents in a rectilinear building with the same interior square footage as Marina City. I think those towers are particularly efficient because they mix different size units on the same floor, so there's no wasted space, especially with kitchens and bathrooms towards the core inside. Also the outside balcony space is unparalleled for every unit, not just a few corner apartments or penthouses. It may cost more to build round projects, but I'm not sure they house fewer people, IDK...

Bertrand Goldberg's unique design can be seen in other projects in Chicago. River City, below Congress, on the south branch of the Chicago River, which was slated to include huge circular towers as well, but never materialized. The Hilliard Homes, in the South Side. He also designed the Prentice Women's Hospital, in Streeterville, which despite the efforts by preservationists, was recently demolished. Proving that structures built only a few decades ago, are not free from the danger of demolition in Chicago.

It is not "smart way to build". It was a fine idea, but it is not better than perpendicular towers. There are round towers in my city (Katowice) and they have serious problems. I've been to an apartment in one of nearby round towers (also called corn cobs even though its different continent) and it was divided up for 3 students and each room was screwy. Balcony was fine just like the Chicago example, but with such bad rooms it was not quite worth it. Also only outside edge is lit so anything in the back has to rely on artificial light. Of course no furniture fits it well unless you leave a lot of open space and just plop a few pieces facing the window. This is good for bachelor pad or for a young couple with little stuff. If you need rooms, or somewhere to put stuff, the efficiency of "slice of pizza" apt shape is really low.

A load bearing moustache? I guess your gaydar is just better than mine

​@@iroxursoxwithjello YOU CANT JUST SAY THAT

Stache is awesome!

Ohhhhh hoooooneeeeeeyyyyy

With great mustache comes great information

In many European cities that is also the case. However, even with Chicago winds, and of course the wind in the River North area which is almost as great as The Magnificent Mile these balconies not only have certain restrictions of decor but should be enjoyed as they are! I lived in Chicago in my undergrad years and nearly took a studio in the marina Towers. The balcony was what tempted me the most. Last year, when I moved to Seattle I noticed a tower slightly resembling one of the cobbs. So I Googled it and looked into it. It is called Tower 801 but as the expanse of the balconies is much smaller and the tower doesn't have half the aesthetic, nor do I assume the airiness, of the marina City Towers. I will always adore Chicago, my first American hometown and a home of so much in the world of architecture! Bom dia!

Chicago's own Copan

Both towers were TV transmitters. The tower without the 'Circle 7 logo' was used by Channel 32 WFLD-TV. By the way, the Channel 7 tower was also used by radio station WLS-FM. The radio station (which became WDAI in 1971) moved to John Hancock Center. A few years later, WLS-TV moved to Sears Tower. Channel 7 call letters were WBKB-TV until 1968.

A roof-top open-air theater! Wow! That would be awsome in such a height!

The thought of watching a moving on that central tower all the way at the top makes my hands and feet start to sweat profusely. It sounds amazing but I don't think my fear of heights would allow it. haha

Michael Jordan also lived there from 1986-1988

That is fascinating history.

@@dennischiapello3879 Thank you! I'm actually presenting a paper on this in April in Chicago.

Gross

Why wasn’t the boat delivered via the river?

@@genxx2724 I lived in Crystal Lake and the Marina I worked at was in McHenry. It probably would have been easier to take the boat to Waukegan and drop it in then head to the Chicago but the person who bought the boat wanted it delivered to the tower.

@@greatmartini1 I meant deliver it to their slip at the tower via river.

@@genxx2724 the marina under the towers has a ceiling crane that we used to lift the boat off the trailer and it moved it into the water. Then I started it up and took it to its slip. I guess the owner didn't want someone else putting 4 or 5 hours on the engines before he got in it. I think he missed out. He could have sailed it from Waukegan to his slip. That would have been a fun day.

It's really not ahead of its time, but it is unique, and interesting. It was an experiment, and maybe not a terribly successful one given its relatively negative reputation and ungodly high cost, but it was inspirational in many ways.

I grew up in River City as a kid. I loved it

Very understandable

@@stewarthicks Sorry for the impossibly long run-on sentence in there. I didn't edit carefully.

I agree with your dad, the common perception is if it's new and a highrise then units are going to sell in the millions. Personally I would have to live in an apartment this fabulous for me to be willing to move back to Chicago's weather

@@morphergaming0531 I live outside Vancouver, Canada. How bad could the weather possibly be in Chicago? 😂

Gotta love Chicago!!! I don't love it enough to live downtown ( or cook county in general) but a quick 30 minutes and I'm there.

Haha. Come in the summer. It’s pretty great for a couple of months.

Don’t waste money and time coming to the United States just to see the rat cesspool of New York. There’s so many more beautiful spots in the country the orcas for tourism people trash rats in high crime rate. It’s disgusting Boston for instance, is a much more beautiful city full of a lot more history. But further than that, you have the west coast, the true old west in Arizona. York is a big waste of time and money.