How Chicago Hides a Skyscraper Jail in Plain Sight

A federal jail, The Metropolitan Correctional Center, is snuggled right into Chicago's Loop. Reporter Roman Mars looks at how the architecture manages to help the building disappear.

1 minute read

May 20, 2011, 1:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur

The building was built in 1975 and was designed by architect Harry Weese. The triangular design of the building, says Mars, was deliberately meant to deflect the viewer's gaze:

"The triangular shape keeps the building pushed back from the street, there's a tall hedge between the sidewalk and the plaza in front of the jail, and the El train blocks the much of the view of the floors above."

Mars interviews the project manager who worked with Weese on the building, and talks about the Weese's utopian ideas for the interior.

FULL STORY: Chicago's Jailhouse Skyscraper

Friday, May 20, 2011 in 99% Invisible

Land Use Illinois Chicago the Loop Jails

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