Streeterville in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

860-880 Lake Shore Drive

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, architect; 1949-51

— Chicago Landmark —

860-880 Lake Shore Drive Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 9, 2024

1. 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Marker

Inscription. Deceptively simple in appearance, these twin apartment towers set the standard by which all subsequent glass-and-steel highrises are judged. Few have come close to their perfection--in form, proportions, and detailing--and no other design by this world-famous architect had such an immediate and powerful an impact. They are among the best known of the city's post-World War II architecture.

Designated on June 10, 1996
Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 41° 53.923′ N, 87° 37.14′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Streeterville. It is on East Chestnut Street near North DuSable Lake Shore Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the back side of the 860 N. Lake Shore Drive building, on the railing in front of the driveway that goes beneath the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 860 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Building (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 227 East Walton Place Apartment Building (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (approx. 0.2 miles away); East Lake Shore Drive (approx. 0.2 miles away); Eli M. Schulman Playground (approx. 0.2 miles away); Past Presidents of the American Dental Association (approx. ¼ mile away); Engine Company 98 Firehouse (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding 860-880 Lake Shore Drive. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Van der Rohe is honored with a "Chicago Tribute" marker about two blocks southwest of here near his home at 200 East Pearson Street; a north-south street bearing his name is about two blocks away as well. Other notable buildings in Chicago by van der Rohe include the Federal Center in the Loop, One IBM Plaza in River North, and Promontory Apartments on the South Side.

Also see . . .
1. 860-880 North Lake Shore Drive. A look at this building from the Chicago Architecture Center. (Submitted on September 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 9, 2024

2. 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Marker

The marker is on the railing on the left.

A biography of van der Rohe by the Mies van der Rohe Society.

Excerpt: "Whether or not you agree with Mies’ assertation that less is more, his contribution to the modern urban landscape cannot be overlooked. Mies’ architecture has been described as being expressive of the industrial age in the same way that Gothic was expressive of the age of ecclesiasticism."

(Submitted on February 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

860-880 Lake Shore Drive Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 25, 2025

3. 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Building

880 is on the left, 860 on the right. The historical marker is on a railing behind the driveway.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) image. Click for full size.

New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection (Library of Congress), circa 1958

4. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 359 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on February 26, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on January 31, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.