Brenda / May 7, 2004 10:51 AM

Do theaters count? If so, I have to vote for the Lyric Opera House foyer. (Who doesn't love a red-carpeted grand staircase?!?)

My #2: Palmer House lobby.

Although the Hyatt's 2nd-level lobby with the window/wall-o-liquor is pretty darn cool, too.

This is hard.

Andrew / May 7, 2004 10:54 AM

My favorite is The Rookery, although the State of Illinois Building has it for sheer volume.

Suz / May 7, 2004 11:17 AM

Work takes me over to the Mondanak(sp?) at 53 W. Jackson quite often and the whole building is just way cool.
Also, the Chicago Theatre has a great lobby.
And while it's all old and crusty there is something rather enchanting about the Rivera Theatre lobby that I like.

miss ellen / May 7, 2004 11:44 AM

I also love the Chicago Theatre, it's got a great old vibe.

I have a great love for the old Insurance Exchange building (now currently houses the Krispy Kreme on one end @ 175 w jackson). My grandpa used to work in this building, and when I used to ride the Rock Island, I'd cut through there on my way to the office.

I witnessed some of the conversion of the building, and I love to see a neat old building get a modern makeover...rather than the typical tear-down, like my old building, the old Chicago Mercantile (RIP 300 w wash). It's a very impressive lobby, with lots of metal, red wood, and glass. And, there is a large atrium which provides lots of natural light (also a big fan of that style).

lacey / May 7, 2004 1:06 PM

While it's not necessarily a "lobby" really (it's adjacent to "a" lobby...does that count?), I love the Louis Sullivan stock exchange room at the Art Inst. Beauuuuutiful!

'That Ian' / May 7, 2004 1:30 PM

I'm a big fan of not going into the core. BUT! I like the Historical Society (I think).

Jen / May 7, 2004 2:34 PM

Chicago Theatre. Always makes me feel like I should be wearing a big swooshy dress and a cape or some shit.

Which I should.

brian / May 7, 2004 3:29 PM

My porch is my favorite lobby. With the resident goose to greet you.

Is the lakefront the lobby for the city?

Ramsin / May 7, 2004 3:46 PM

By far, and far and away, City Hall.

But a close second is the Harold Washington Library.

Maureen / May 7, 2004 4:36 PM

I think it's called the Marquette building (I think it's on LaSalle)... the one with the Tiffany glass mosaic.

State of Illinois building lobby gets props just because it's so wild, but it's pretty much wasted space.

Kat / May 7, 2004 5:28 PM

Without a doubt its the Tribune building - looking up at the quotes on freedom.

Kenan / May 7, 2004 11:36 PM

The AT&T Corporate Center. For being faux-art deco, it's pretty damn authentically art deco.

Jake / May 8, 2004 1:55 PM

The Palmer House lobby. Whenever my parents come visit, it's always a required stop on our tour of the Loop. And now I've started taking all my other out-of-town guests there too.

Jake / May 8, 2004 1:55 PM

The Palmer House lobby. Whenever my parents come visit, it's always a required stop on our tour of the Loop. And now I've started taking all my other out-of-town guests there too.

pat / May 10, 2004 8:24 AM

As far as modern buildings go; i'm partial to the building where i work: 311 South Wacker Drive. Who says there aren't palm trees in Chicago?

More traditionally, the Palmer House is grand, as is the rookery. I'm also rather fond of the art deco sensibility of the LaSalle Bank building on LaSalle. I still expect to see men in fedoras and women wearing pillboxes there.

Annie / May 10, 2004 10:28 AM

The Newberry Library. I {heart} the old marble staircase & tile floors. Buildings just aren't made with that sort of love anymore.

Pete / May 11, 2004 9:27 AM

The Rookery is incomparable, of course. But as far as new buildings go, the USG Building/AT&T Corporate Center is quite nice.

Scott Knitter / May 20, 2004 11:42 AM

Hey, I work in the USG Building. I do like its lobby...sort of a "cathedral of commerce" feeling, and some of the metal fixtures even look like crosses. When I walk in, there's a certain calming effect I notice, like, "Whatever is stressing you out, realize that you're entering a space that is so much bigger than you. Relax." Others may have a different experience, I realize.

Steve / May 27, 2004 10:29 PM

As another employee of the USG Building, I third (or fourth) the nomination of its lobby. Now if only we had some decent retail or restaurants in there....