Last Friday saw the sudden announcement by its current owners that the century-old Carson Pirie Scott department store on State Street, one of architect Louis Sullivan's greatest masterpieces, will be shut down by March of next year. I'll be writing a lot more about this, and about the journey of Chicago's State Street from one of the world's greatest shopping venues to a a diminished collection of discounters and outlet stores, when Federated rebrands the venerable Marshall Fields in Macy's colors as its local flagship in September, but for now here's a few initial thoughts - and more pictures - and what's going on and where we might be heading. Read and see it here.
Monday, August 28, 2006
End of The Road
Last Friday saw the sudden announcement by its current owners that the century-old Carson Pirie Scott department store on State Street, one of architect Louis Sullivan's greatest masterpieces, will be shut down by March of next year. I'll be writing a lot more about this, and about the journey of Chicago's State Street from one of the world's greatest shopping venues to a a diminished collection of discounters and outlet stores, when Federated rebrands the venerable Marshall Fields in Macy's colors as its local flagship in September, but for now here's a few initial thoughts - and more pictures - and what's going on and where we might be heading. Read and see it here.
Hi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteDoes it matter so much what is inside this building? If not a department store, then perhaps another function. I, for one, thought the interior of Carson's was a dump, poorly maintained and with a haphazard merchandise display.
Given that the Landlord bought out Carson's lease, perhaps they have another tennant in mind.
I would like to see this kept as a public building. Something about the "cultural center" offerings in the Loop seem to keep buildings off limits to the public, and devoid of culture.
JBP
Thanks for making the point--I thought it was obvious to people, but I guess not--that despite the sonorous platitudes about the death of the department store, that's exactly what Wal-Mart is, minus every shred of glamour.
ReplyDeleteBetween the loss of the Berghoff & my after-work hangout, Trader Vic's, and now the loss of the bookends of State Street, that late street, 2OO6 is turning out to be the year from hell.