22 Jan 2020
Our tour guide was Jan Elson. Both Jan and our driver delivered a memorable experience and to be clear, while tourists will be totally engaged, this is a splendid experience for a citizen. I should know, I live in the Loop!
My 23-year-old daughter joined me and I am considerably north of that in age. We both thoroughly enjoyed the sites and Jan's remarkable balance of deep facts and personal injection. Highlights were the Rookery building in the loop and then the Robey House at the University of Chicago campus.
However, the entire journey was sprinkled with amazing tidbits both historical and contemporary. Even the sprinkling of a misty and fairly cold day didn't negatively impact us in any way. Who would have guessed there was so much architectural significance to the IIT campus and in particular, the cool L-train encasing tunnel that sits inside the fairly new student union. This noise dampening structure was both cool to see and amazingly effective in its task of hampering the passing train noises.
Frank Lloyd and Meis, among many others who built the buildings and character of this city were featured. Totally worth every penny if you get the chance.