Another elegant Chicago building, I thought. Then I looked more closely.
I think the car is real, but everything else…
I thought this looked interesting. I looked again. I crossed the street. It was extraordinary.
LaSalle Towers, at 1211 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, was a nondescript high rise hotel until artist Richard Haas got to work on it in 1980.
The transformation from ‘tired old block of flats’ to ‘exciting new work of art’ seemed to fit the Renewal theme of the Weekly Photo Challenge.
I noticed it from across the carpark of the Jewel supermarket…
…then I started to smile.
I hope the local residents are getting as much pleasure from it as I did.
Maybe you need to click on the photos above to get the full effect, though I make no great claims to photographic genius this time – just looking, pointing and shooting.
Here’s what it looked like before the Renewal.
Photo: http://www.richardhaas.com
(Thanks for finding it, Ken.)
Excellent work, Mr Haas, and congratulations to the team who painted it originally and the people who restored it in 1995.
I look forward to seeing more of your work. I can think of plenty of blots on the landscape that sorely need your talents. Just let me know when you have some free time and you can borrow my ladder.
Perhaps you could have your own reality TV show, giving eyesores a total makeover while the owners are away for the weekend.
The work was done by…
The writer’s trip to Chicago was assisted by the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture.
That must have been such a dull building before this paint job! Great now!
I wasn’t around in 1979 to take the ‘Before’ photo, but I love the ‘After’ one.
The illusion is amazing — I had to look twice. ~ Kat
I looked even more than twice – and took my wife back to see it the next day. Love it!
My hometown! This was a great post–thanks!!
We loved our stay in Chicago this year, particularly for the art and architecture. It was my first trip there, and am almost sure it won’t be my last.
Wonderful job they did on that one! This would really have been awesome to have the ‘before’ picture. One really had to look twice to get it
Amazing paint job
And clever interpretation Richard.
Those all look so real! I didn’t want to believe you, so I opened all the images… Now those require serious artistic skill… well-spotted!
Thanks, Reggie. It’s worth a look at Richard Haas’ website if you have time.http://richardhaas.com/home.html
Congratulations! I have nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Visit http://frankburns.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
…to see the terms of the award. Happy blogging!
I’m honoured, Frank!