Lake Point Tower, Chicago, IL - Photographed 2017
In 2017, I photographed Lake Point Tower, a Chicago landmark known for its sensuous curves and dark reflective glass. Completed in 1968 and designed by George Schipporeit and John Heinrich, both protégés of Mies van der Rohe, the tower is a masterclass in sculptural modernism.
Situated just off Lake Shore Drive, it remains the only skyscraper east of the drive, standing alone at the edge of Lake Michigan with uninterrupted views in all directions. The building’s iconic Y-shaped plan was inspired by a never-built Mies concept and was designed to reduce wind load while maximizing light and privacy for residents.
This small series focuses on the tower’s fluid shape and mirrored facade, how the curved glass reflects sky and water, softening the building’s monumental scale. Lake Point Tower is a rare example of modernist design that balances elegance with engineering, presence with poise.
© 2017 JC Buck
