This 1925 view of the armory building with its new western addition illustrates the Streeterville neighborhood building boom. The barren area in the foreground would soon be developed by Northwestern University.  Courtesy of the Field Artillery Journal, Jan-Feb 1926 |
This 1935 aerial perspective of Block 21 shows the developing Northwestern University campus south of the armory, along with other tall buildings that have begun towering over the site. The Water Tower, Pumping Station, and Firehouse, Engine Co. 98 appear to the west. During my recorded conversation with arthitectural historian David Van Zanten, he speaks of an unrealized Frank Lloyd Wright building that would have occupied the strip of land between Lake Shore Park and the curved building in the foreground.  By permission and courtesy of the Chicago Park District Special Collections. |
This 1982 view includes the towering 100-story John Hancock Center (1969) beside the 74-story Water Tower Place (1976)  By permission and courtesy of the Chicago Park District Special Collections. |
This further distant view of the 1982 photograph, above, shows the extension of the Streeterville neighborhood jutting eastward from Michigan Avenue.  By permission and courtesy of the Chicago Park District Special Collections. |
The current (2013) Google Earth view illustrates the expansion of towering buildings throughout the area north of the Chicago River. The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago now occupies half of the Chicago Avenue Armory's building footprint. The easternmost parcel where the original armory was situated is now an MCA grassy area and sculpture park.  |