Magnificent Mile:
Magnificent Mile looking south
The Magnificent Mile is the portion of Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois extending from the Chicago River to Oak Street in Near North Side community area.[1] Located one block east of Rush Street, which is known for its nightlife, the Magnificent Mile serves as the main thoroughfare between Chicago's Loop business district and its Gold Coast.[2]
Real estate developer Arthur Rubloff of Rubloff Company gave the nickname to one of the city's most prestigious residential and commercial thoroughfares in the 1940s.[1] It includes fine restaurants, hotels, and stores and several of the tallest buildings in the world. In addition, numerous prestigious buildings are located along the Magnificent Mile, such as the Wrigley Building and the John Hancock Center, places listed on the National Register of Historic Places such as The Old Chicago Water Tower District and Chicago Landmarks such as Tribune Tower and the Allerton Hotel.
[edit] History
After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, State Street (anchored by Marshall Field's) in the downtown Loop, especially the Loop Retail Historic District, was the city's retailing center.[3] The convenience of mass transit including streetcars and elevated trains, supported a retail corridor along State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street.[3] By the 1920s, commuter suburbs began to have significant retail districts.[3] Prior to the bascule bridge construction, swing bridges across the river were open for ship traffic during half the daylight hours.[4] The Rush Street Bridge was the swing bridge for this area.[5] The opening of the Michigan Avenue Bridge in 1920 created a new commercial district.[3] After 1950, suburban development reduced the role of the Loop's daily significance to many Chicagoans as downtown retail sales slipped. However, the Magnificent Mile kept a luxury shopping district close to the central business district.[6]
The Magnificent Mile was actually part of Daniel Burnham's Plan of Chicago.[1] It was constructed during the 1920s to replace Pine Street, which had formerly been lined with factory and warehouses near the river and fine mansion and rowhouse residences farther north.[1] The earliest building constructions varied in style, but challenged new heights in construction.[1]
After the Great Depression and World War II, Arthur Rubloff and William Zeckendorf bought or controlled most of the property along this stretch of the avenue and supported a plan by Holabird & Root construct new buildings and renovation of old ones that took advantage of new zoning laws.[1] Soon the property values driven by the luxury shopping districts were pricing out the nearby artists of Towertown, just south west of the Chicago Water Tower.[7] Having acquired most of the rights to property along the Magnificent Mile at Depression-level prices, Rubloff and Zeckendorf successfully developed and promoted the area until it became one of the most prestigious addresses of the city. That distinction continues to hold today,[1] and spurred the continuing erection of more high-rise apartments and new investment along the Magnificent Mile and throughout the Near North Side.[8]
The opening of the 74-story Water Tower Place in 1975 marked the return of Chicago to retailing prominence.[3] By 1979, the State Street corridor commercial corridor had lost its commercial vitality and was closed to street traffic for renovation including sidewalk widening until 1996.[3]
[edit] Overview
Today, the Magnificent Mile contains a mixture of upscale department stores, restaurants, luxury retailers, residential and commercial buildings, financial services companies and hotels, and caters primarily to tourists and the affluent. The area also has a high concentration of the city's major media firms, such as the Chicago Tribune newspaper, and advertising agencies. The Magnificent Mile includes 3,100,000 sq ft (288,000 m2) of retail space, 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 51 hotels, and a host of sightseeing and entertainment attractions to more than 22 million visitors annually. In recent years the Magnificent Mile has added trees and flower-filled medians to reflect the changing seasons. Many of the world's leading retail occupy the Magnificent Mile, including department stores such as Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Macy's and Lord & Taylor. In addition some of the finest luxury boutiques such as Cartier, Escada, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chanel, I Medici Firenze, Stuart Weitzman, Anne Fontaine, Ralph Lauren, Bottega Veneta, Hermès, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry, Hugo Boss, La Perla and Tiffany & Co. are located along the Magnificent Mile. Renowned and critically-acclaimed restaurants such as The Signature Room at The 95th, Spiaggia, Tru, The Pump Room, Lawry's The Prime Rib, and Spago provide a variety of dining options. All 3 of the 5-star hotels located in the midwest (The Peninsula Chicago, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, and Ritz-Carlton Chicago) and Illinois' only 4-star hotel (Park Hyatt) are located within about 5 blocks along the Magnificent Mile.[9][10] Other hotels such as Intercontinental, Westin, Drake Hotel and Le Meridien Chicago offer convenient luxurious accommodations as well. The seasons each add their own flavor to the Magnificent Mile.[11] Selected hotels are shown below:
The largest banks have branches along the strip including the 3 largest banks in the nation Bank of America, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase's Chase Bank.[12] Additionally, the largest banks in Chicago are present such as LaSalle Bank and Harris Bank,[13] which is technically across the street from the Magnificent Mile. American Express has a Magnificent Mile address for one of its two Chicago service offices. Fidelity Investments has an office at the foot of Magnificent Mile.
Historic and landmark presences abound as shown in the table below which lists Chicago Landmarks, National Register of Historic Places locations, and National Historic Landmarks along the Magnificent Mile. At the northern edge of this district on the west one finds the exclusive One Magnificent Mile building and Oak Street running to the west. Also, at the northern edge of the district one finds the Chicago Landmark East Lake Shore Drive District, an extremely expensive and exclusive one-block area of real estate running east from N. Michigan Ave. and facing directly onto to Lake Michigan. At the southern edge of the district, the Michigan Avenue Bridge sits among four majestic 1920s skyscrapers two of which are on the Magnificent Mile (Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building) and two of which are not (333 North Michigan and London Guarantee Building).
| Chicago Landmark[14] |
Designation Date |
Location |
NRHP Date[15][16] |
NHL Date[17][18] |
| Palmolive Building[19] |
February 16, 2000 |
919 N. Michigan Avenue |
August 21, 2003 |
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| Perkins, Fellows & Hamilton Office and Studio[20] |
December 1, 1993 |
814 N. Michigan Avenue |
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| Old Chicago Water Tower District[21] |
October 6, 1971;
amended June 10, 1981 |
806/821 N. Michigan Avenue |
April 23, 1975 |
|
| Allerton Hotel[22] |
May 29, 1998 |
701 N. Michigan Avenue |
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| Woman's Athletic Club[23] |
October 2, 1991 |
626 N. Michigan Avenue |
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| McGraw-Hill Building[24] |
February 7, 1997 |
520 N. Michigan Avenue |
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| Tribune Tower[25] |
February 1, 1989 |
435 N. Michigan Avenue |
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| Du Sable, Jean Baptiste Point, Homesite [26] |
|
401 N. Michigan Avenue |
May 11, 1976 |
May 11, 1976 |
| Michigan Avenue Bridge and Esplanade[27] |
October 2, 1991 |
Chicago River, between Michigan and Wabash Avenues |
|
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| Site of Fort Dearborn[28] |
September 15, 1971 |
Intersection of N. Michigan Avenue and E. Wacker Drive |
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Four of the 85 tallest buildings in the world are located along the Magnificent Mile. In fact, Four of the 10 Tallest buildings in Chicago, 6 of the top 18, and 8 of the top 50 are located within a few blocks here. These buildings are:
[edit] Seasonal events
2007 Tulip Days on the Magnificent Mile
Magnificent Mile garden planter (with visible median planter)
Each season the ambiance of the Magnificent Mile changes. This change is signalled by the official events:[29]
Median planters were constructed as part of a streetscape improvement project in 1994. In the spring, Tulip Days occurs from mid April until the end of May. Hundreds of thousand of tulips bloom on The Magnificent Mile. Typically, they bloom between April 16th and May 7th. In 2008, a public art installation of kinetic sculptures designed by international architects will be placed in the garden beds.[30]
During the summer the "Gardens of Magnificent Mile" festival event occurs. It is a self-guided landscape display walking tour. The flora from around the world are identified with horticultural signage in each of the gardens and planters. In 2007 and 2008 fashion dress forms graced the garden beds. The forms were designed by students from the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago and the International Academy of Design and Technology as well as prominent designers located on the Avenue.[31][32]
The tradition of lighting the trees of the Magnificent Mile to start the holiday season extends for over forty years. Over one million lights are lit and fireworks follow the event.[29] 2008 will be the 17th annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris, which will be the annual kick-off to the nations holiday season.[33] During the event Mickey Mouse rides a float down The Magnificent Mile from Wacker Drive to Oak Street, stopping at each block to light the trees. It is considered the first annual Holiday event of the year in the nation.
Winter brings TOAST on The Magnificent Mile featuring weekly fireworks over the Chicago River.[34]
The Lego Store is a highlight of North Bridge. It frequently exhibits lifesize or larger than life characters at the main entrance of the mall.
[edit] Intersections
Public performers are common on the Magnificent mile.
Superior Street & Michigan hosts men's and women's Saks Fifth Avenue locations across from each other.
Customers at the Apple store on Michigan.
| Cross Street Image |
Address[36] |
Intersection Type |
Cross Street Type |
Commerce[37] |
|
|
1000 North |
Pedestrian (E,W,S) Street,
Pedestrian (N,E) Underpass,
Vehicular |
Lighted Intersection (Two-way) |
NW: Harris Bank
NE: Chicago Park District
SW: One Magnificent Mile
SE: Chanel at the Drake Hotel
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932 North |
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NW: LaSalle Bank
NE: Drake Hotel
SW: Gucci at 900 North Michigan
SE: Louis Vuitton
|
Delaware Place & Michigan
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900 North |
Pedestrian (E,W,S,N) Street
Vehicular southbound turning lane
|
Lighted Intersection (One-Way Eastbound) |
NW: Max Mara at 900 North Michigan
NE: Fratelli Rossetti at Westin Hotel
SW: Fourth Presbeterian Church
SE: The North Face at John Hancock Center
|
Chestnut Street & Michigan
|
860 North |
Pedestrian (E,W,S,N) Street
Vehicular northbound turning lane
|
Lighted Intersection (One-Way Westbound) |
NW: Fourth Presbeterian Church
NE: Paul Stuart at John Hancock Center
SW: Water Tower Place
SE: Plaza Escada
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Pearson Street & Michigan
|
830 North |
Pedestrian (E,W,S,N) Street
Vehicular southbound turning lane
|
Lighted Intersection (One-Way Eastbound) |
NW: Borders Books
NE: Macy's at Water Tower Place
SW: Chicago Water Tower
SE: Chicago Avenue Pumping Station
|
Chicago Avenue & Michigan
|
800 North |
Pedestrian (E,W,S,N) Street
Vehicular northbound and westbound turning lanes
|
Lighted Intersection (Two-Way) |
NW: Chicago Water Tower
NE: Chicago Avenue Pumping Station
SW: Polo Ralph Lauren
SE: Walgreen's
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732 North |
Pedestrian (E,W,S,N) Street
Vehicular southbound turning lane
|
Lighted Intersection (One-Way Eastbound) |
NW: Tiffany & Co.
NE: Neiman-Marcus
SW: Chicago Place (Saks Fifth Avenue for women)
SE: Saks Fifth Avenue for men
|
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700 North |
Pedestrian (E,W,S,N) Street
Vehicular northbound turning lane
|
Lighted Intersection (One-Way Westbound) |
NW: Talbot @ Chicago Place
NE: Nine West @ Allerton Hotel
SW: Express
SE: Apple Computer
|
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658 North |
Pedestrian (E,W,S,N) Street
Vehicular southbound turning lane
|
Lighted Intersection (One-Way Eastbound) |
NW: Hanig's Footware
NE: Garmin
SW: Crate & Barrel
SE: Ferragamo
|
Ontario Street & Michigan
|
628 North |
Pedestrian (E,W,S,N) Street
Vehicular northbound turning lane
|
Lighted Intersection (One-Way Westbound) |
NW: Cartier
NE: Burberry
SW: Ann Taylor
SE: Coach
|
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600 North |
Pedestrian (E,W,S,N) Street
Vehicular southbound turning lane
|
Lighted Intersection (One-Way Eastbound) |
NW: Eddie Bauer
NE: 605 N. Michigan (Guess also:American Express, Chase Bank)
SW: Forever 21
SE: Gap
|
Grand Avenue & Michigan underpass
|
530 North |
Pedestrian (N) Street, (E,W) Sidewalk |
Lighted Intersection / Vehicular Underpass (One-Way Westbound) |
NW: Kenneth Cole
NE: Westfield North Bridge
SW: Atlas Galleries
SE: Intercontinental Hotel
|
Illinois Street & Michigan
|
500 North |
Pedestrian (N,E) Street, (W) Sidewalk |
Lighted Intersection (Eastbound sidestreet) / Vehicular Underpass (One-Way Eastbound) |
NW: Bank of America @ 500 N. Michigan Avenue
NE: Intercontinental Hotel
SW: 444 N. Michigan Avenue
SE: McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum
|
Hubbard Street & Michigan
|
430 North |
Pedestrian (N,S) Street, (E,W) Sidewalk |
Lighted Intersection / Vehicular Underpass |
W: Walgreens @ 430 N. Michigan Avenue (Realtor Building)
E: Tribune Tower
|
North Water Street (lower)/Jack Brickhouse Way (upper) & Michigan
|
410 North (upper)/400 North (lower) |
Pedestrian (N) Street, (E,W) Sidewalk |
Double Jughandle U-Turn lanes |
NW: Wrigley Building
NE: DuSable Homesite @ 401 N. Michigan Avenue
SW: Michigan Aveneue Bridge
SE: Michigan Aveneue Bridge
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NW:
NE:
SW:
SE:
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[edit] Gallery
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Magnificent Mile POV pushers
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- ^ a b c d e f g Stamper, John W. (2005). "Magnificent Mile". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
- ^ Stamper, John M., "Chicago's North Michigan Avenue," University of Chicago Press, 1991, inner cover, ISBN 0-226-77085-0
- ^ a b c d e f Bennett, Larry (2005). "Shopping Districts and Malls". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
- ^ Cain, Louis P. (2005). "Infrastructure". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved on 2007-05-17.
- ^ Stamper, John M., "Chicago's North Michigan Avenue," University of Chicago Press, 1991, pg. 4, ISBN 0-226-77085-0
- ^ Danzer, Gerald A. (2005). "The Loop". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved on 2007-05-17.
- ^ Seligman, Amanda (2005). "Towertown". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
- ^ Seligman, Amanda (2005). "Near North Side". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved on 2007-05-17.
- ^ Sardone, Susan Breslow. "Mobil 5-Star Hotels / Award Winners 2007". 2007 About, Inc..
- ^ Sardone, Susan Breslow (2006-01-06). "4 Star Hotels in the USA". 2007 About, Inc..
- ^ "Magnificent Mile". Chicago Traveler. Search Engine Marketing (2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-19.
- ^ "United States' Largest Banks". Information Please Database (2005-12-31). Retrieved on 2007-05-17.
- ^ "Chicago's Largest Banks". ChicagoBusiness. Crain Communications, Inc. (2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-08.
- ^ "Chicago Landmarks: Alphabetical Listing". City of Chicago Dept. of Pl. and Devpmt., Landmarks Div. (2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places: Illinois - Cook County". National Register of Historic Places.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Park Service (2007-01-09). Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
- ^ "National Historic Landmarks Program". National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
- ^ "National Historic Landmarks Survey: Listing of National Historic Landmarks by State: Illinois". Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
- ^ "Palmolive Building". City of Chicago Dept. of Pl. and Devpmt., Landmarks Div. (2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ "Perkins, Fellows & Hamilton Office and Studio". City of Chicago Dept. of Pl. and Devpmt., Landmarks Div. (2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ "Old Chicago Water Tower District". City of Chicago Dept. of Pl. and Devpmt., Landmarks Div. (2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ "Allerton Hotel". City of Chicago Dept. of Pl. and Devpmt., Landmarks Div. (2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
- ^ "Woman's Athletic Club". City of Chicago Dept. of Pl. and Devpmt., Landmarks Div. (2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ "McGraw-Hill Building". City of Chicago Dept. of Pl. and Devpmt., Landmarks Div. (2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ "Tribune Tower". City of Chicago Dept. of Pl. and Devpmt., Landmarks Div. (2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ "Du Sable, Jean Baptiste Point, Homesite". National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
- ^ "Michigan Avenue Bridge and Esplanade". City of Chicago Dept. of Pl. and Devpmt., Landmarks Div. (2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ "Site of Fort Dearborn". City of Chicago Dept. of Pl. and Devpmt., Landmarks Div. (2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ a b "Seasonal Events". The Magnificent Mile, GNMAA/Centric Web, Inc. (2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-17.
- ^ "Tulip Days". The Magnificent Mile, GNMAA/Centric Web, Inc. (2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-17.
- ^ "Gardens of the Magnificent Mile". The Magnificent Mile, GNMAA/Centric Web, Inc. (2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-17.
- ^ "WHEN FLORA AND FASHION COME TOGETHER". The Magnificent Mile, GNMAA/Centric Web, Inc. (2008). Retrieved on 2008-03-07.
- ^ "Magnificent Mile Lights Festival". The Magnificent Mile, GNMAA/Centric Web, Inc. (2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
- ^ "TOAST on The Magnificent Mile". The Magnificent Mile, GNMAA/Centric Web, Inc. (2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
- ^ Moore, R. Jonathan (2005). "Fourth Presbyterian Church". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. Chicago Historical Society. Retrieved on 2007-05-17.
- ^ Hayner, Don and Tom McNamee, Streetwise Chicago, Loyola University Press, 1988, ISBN
- ^ "Magnificent Mile". Emporis (2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
[edit] External links
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