Architecture and office space

Went on a Board of Architecture-sponsored tour of some of the more modern high-rise buildings in Chicago today. Our docent was an engineer with a delightful Italian accent who guided us on a two-hour trek through downtown. Talked about modernism in architecture (Mies van der Rohe was the original inspiration for the clean-lined steel-supported "structure is architecture" style). Then the guide went on to illustrate post-modernism (adding old fashioned decorations to modernist shapes), art deco and a few others.

This one, the Citadel Center, was the first building completed in Chicago after 9/11. It offers all the things business tenants want--all wiring, Internet, telephone, etc. in the floors, no columns to break up the 35,000-sq.ft. floor space on each floor, underground parking, etc.

The truth of the matter is, I started to get a little confused as to which building was which style--kind of like women's fashion where almost anything goes these days because no one has really come up with anything truly different. Here's a nice site about the architectural high points of the Cleveland area.

Just as an interesting comparison of what it'll cost you to lease office space, the Citadel Center in downtown Chicago rents out at $400/sq.ft. A page of the Downtown Cleveland Partnership site lists all the class A and B office space buildings in our downtown--and here's a hint at what Cleveland office space is going for (lease rate per square foot). Just think how much more business you'd have to generate to be able to afford to lease an office in Chicago.

Folks, this is one of the beauties of our region. Affordable housing and office space. Tell your friends and colleagues... " )