Design
Five Letters Are Driving Chicago Out of Its Mind
If Chicago sees Donald Trump as a threat, does that mean it takes its architecture too seriously?
The City of Broad Shoulders stands with its arms crossed today. Donald Trump is erecting his name along the side of Chicago's Trump Tower—excuse me, The Donald's Trump Tower—and the city is not having it.
Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin despises the sign. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel thinks it's tasteless. Hizzoner is still mum about what, if anything, he plans to do about the sign, which will spell out TRUMP in 20-foot letters spanning more than 140 feet along the façade of the building, if it is completed. Chicago is meanwhile coming around to the fact that Trump may have his way with the building, which was designed by Chicago star architect Adrian Smith.