Lee Bey
@leebey1.bsky.social
Architecture critic for Chicago Sun-Times and ABC7 Chicago. Author/photographer of Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side. I dig vintage TV/movies and 20th century funk, soul and jazz.
Man o man o man, I had a blast at lunch today meeting and chatting with artist Ellen Harvey who was in town. She created Commuter Carpet -- now being removed from the Brown Line Francisco stop bc of wear. The Disappointed Tourist an ingenious show now at the Chicago Architecture Center is also hers.
November 15, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Man o man o man, I had a blast at lunch today meeting and chatting with artist Ellen Harvey who was in town. She created Commuter Carpet -- now being removed from the Brown Line Francisco stop bc of wear. The Disappointed Tourist an ingenious show now at the Chicago Architecture Center is also hers.
On the Sun-Times TikTok today, talking about the Obama Presidential Center.
November 13, 2025 at 10:13 PM
On the Sun-Times TikTok today, talking about the Obama Presidential Center.
Today's column: An early look at the Obama Center. Not a critique, but "enough has been built to get a sense of what the public will get for giving up 20 acres of historic Jackson Park for a campus of new buildings, gardens, parkland — and the much-discussed 225-foot museum tower."
Obama Presidential Center takes shape after 10 years of delays and construction
"In 50 years, when none of us are here, people will want to pay homage [to Obama's presidency]. This was a crucial time in the history of our country. Therefore, the building needs to have a kind of p...
chicago.suntimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Today's column: An early look at the Obama Center. Not a critique, but "enough has been built to get a sense of what the public will get for giving up 20 acres of historic Jackson Park for a campus of new buildings, gardens, parkland — and the much-discussed 225-foot museum tower."
A hard-hatted group of Chicago museum professionals chat with architect Billie Tsien before they tour the Obama Presidential Center construction site, 11/5/25
November 11, 2025 at 1:03 AM
A hard-hatted group of Chicago museum professionals chat with architect Billie Tsien before they tour the Obama Presidential Center construction site, 11/5/25
Reposted by Lee Bey
People want to be with other people. A recent event showcased the wisdom of William H Whyte, and I ask: why don’t our public spaces follow his lead? www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/art-...
Parks should be made for people. Why does such an obvious idea elude us?
We need to create spaces where people want to gather, as William H. Whyte argued, but the central requirements are sadly absent in Canadian public spaces
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
People want to be with other people. A recent event showcased the wisdom of William H Whyte, and I ask: why don’t our public spaces follow his lead? www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/art-...
Pix from a really good architecture panel Oct 20th (my 60th birthday) at Perkins & Will. Fellow panelists included Chicago Architecture Center CEO Eleanor Gorski, and Ari Glass, head of Real Estate at Mansueto Office. P&W Managing Director Margaret Cavenagh was moderator. (Photos by Lori Compas.)
November 8, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Pix from a really good architecture panel Oct 20th (my 60th birthday) at Perkins & Will. Fellow panelists included Chicago Architecture Center CEO Eleanor Gorski, and Ari Glass, head of Real Estate at Mansueto Office. P&W Managing Director Margaret Cavenagh was moderator. (Photos by Lori Compas.)
With architect Billie Tsien this morning outside the Obama Presidential Center site.
November 5, 2025 at 6:48 PM
With architect Billie Tsien this morning outside the Obama Presidential Center site.
Had a great time this evening talking architecture, history, redevelopment and more at Loyola University. Big thanks to Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies Director Bill French for setting it up.
November 4, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Had a great time this evening talking architecture, history, redevelopment and more at Loyola University. Big thanks to Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies Director Bill French for setting it up.
This weekend's architecture column. Burr Oak Cemetery heads toward the National Register, thanks its origins, the notable Black people buried there and its "memorial park" design.
Black-owned Burr Oak Cemetery, resting place of Emmett Till, heads toward National Register listing
The Alsip cemetery is the final resting place of Mamie and Emmett Till, rapper King Von, singer Dinah Washington and generations of other prominent figures.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:36 AM
This weekend's architecture column. Burr Oak Cemetery heads toward the National Register, thanks its origins, the notable Black people buried there and its "memorial park" design.
Listening to Sam Cooke on a sunny day. One of my favorite things.
October 31, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Listening to Sam Cooke on a sunny day. One of my favorite things.
Happy Halloween. From Baron Samedi.
October 31, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Happy Halloween. From Baron Samedi.
Watching the old tv show Felony Squad last night. Det Briggs asks his partner Sgt Stone, "Hey, you thirsty?" and Stone replies "Yeah, let's coffee-up." I like that. "Let's coffee-up." I'll be using that in the near future.
October 29, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Watching the old tv show Felony Squad last night. Det Briggs asks his partner Sgt Stone, "Hey, you thirsty?" and Stone replies "Yeah, let's coffee-up." I like that. "Let's coffee-up." I'll be using that in the near future.
Today's architecture column. "The Castle of Tomorrow looks less castle-like and that might be a bit of a bummer around these parts. That’s because the original 1921 restaurant design and the variations that have followed were inspired by old Chicago Water Tower, the Great Chicago Fire survivor."
White Castle craves a new look for its restaurants
The original 1921 White Castle restaurant design — and the variations that have followed — was inspired by the old Chicago Water Tower, the crenelated landmark that survived the Great Chicago Fire.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Today's architecture column. "The Castle of Tomorrow looks less castle-like and that might be a bit of a bummer around these parts. That’s because the original 1921 restaurant design and the variations that have followed were inspired by old Chicago Water Tower, the Great Chicago Fire survivor."
My architecture column today. One of Chicago's most visible buildings, the Edgewater Beach Apts., is being repainted. So far, it's taken 500 gallons of “sunset pink” just to cover the 97-year-old co-op's southeast wing. Workers will finish the job next year.
Edgewater landmark to look even prettier in pink, thanks to a new paint job
It's taken 500 gallons of the paint color "sunset pink" to cover the southeast wing of the 97-year-old co-op, one of Chicago's most visible buildings.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
My architecture column today. One of Chicago's most visible buildings, the Edgewater Beach Apts., is being repainted. So far, it's taken 500 gallons of “sunset pink” just to cover the 97-year-old co-op's southeast wing. Workers will finish the job next year.
Reposted by Lee Bey
Man...this guy played on SO many dates, lived and breathed jazz, was NEVER satisfied to be one of the all-time greats but always kept looking for the next step up & out & into the music...we will not see the likes of Jack DeJohnette again soon. Deep gratitude for a lifetime of dedication to the art
October 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Man...this guy played on SO many dates, lived and breathed jazz, was NEVER satisfied to be one of the all-time greats but always kept looking for the next step up & out & into the music...we will not see the likes of Jack DeJohnette again soon. Deep gratitude for a lifetime of dedication to the art
Took these images while filling up during a 2021 trip to St Louis: a 1930s gas station at 403 Laclede Ave.
October 27, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Took these images while filling up during a 2021 trip to St Louis: a 1930s gas station at 403 Laclede Ave.
Today's architecture column. "Making matters worse: Trump’s blitzkrieg on the East Wing happened without as much as a hint of public review, due process or consideration for the White House’s historic status."
Trump completes demolition of the White House's East Wing
Trump's blitzkrieg on the East Wing happened without as much as a hint of public review, due process or even consideration for the White House's historic status.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Today's architecture column. "Making matters worse: Trump’s blitzkrieg on the East Wing happened without as much as a hint of public review, due process or consideration for the White House’s historic status."
Felony Squad intro. The building with the cascading lights is the then-brand new LA Dept. of Water & Power bldg, 1965, Albert C. Martin & Associates...
October 23, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Felony Squad intro. The building with the cascading lights is the then-brand new LA Dept. of Water & Power bldg, 1965, Albert C. Martin & Associates...
The 1937 movie In Old Chicago shows how the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 started: An overly sensitive nursing cow -- who knew how to break the fourth wall. #chicago #greatchicagofire
October 21, 2025 at 11:57 PM
The 1937 movie In Old Chicago shows how the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 started: An overly sensitive nursing cow -- who knew how to break the fourth wall. #chicago #greatchicagofire
Paul Newman at his Paul Newman-est. As private eye Lou Harper in 1966's "Harper."
October 18, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Paul Newman at his Paul Newman-est. As private eye Lou Harper in 1966's "Harper."
At the Hilton Grand Ballroom this morning for the Openlands luncheon honoring Carol Ross Barney and Blair Kamin. I am also helping Richard Kimble get the folk responsible for his wife's murder.
October 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
At the Hilton Grand Ballroom this morning for the Openlands luncheon honoring Carol Ross Barney and Blair Kamin. I am also helping Richard Kimble get the folk responsible for his wife's murder.
At FOX 32 now, getting ready to talk architecture with Paris Schutz. It'll stream live, and will be on the broadcast channel tonight.
October 16, 2025 at 11:29 PM
At FOX 32 now, getting ready to talk architecture with Paris Schutz. It'll stream live, and will be on the broadcast channel tonight.
In the fancy-shmancy WBEZ green room. I'll be on at 10:40 or so, talking about Open House Chicago. You can call in, too.
October 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM
In the fancy-shmancy WBEZ green room. I'll be on at 10:40 or so, talking about Open House Chicago. You can call in, too.
"The almost certain loss of 67 E. Oak St., isn’t a full-scale preservation emergency. But its likely demise is still worth noting as the architectural face of Oak Street continues to grow more polished, profitable and upscale — and maybe just a bit characterless — with each passing year."
Is it the end for a modernist Streeterville building with Victorian roots?
The Chicago Plan Commission will vote on a proposal that calls for wrecking the five-story building and replacing it with a 34-foot tall, two-story glass-fronted retail structure.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:23 AM
"The almost certain loss of 67 E. Oak St., isn’t a full-scale preservation emergency. But its likely demise is still worth noting as the architectural face of Oak Street continues to grow more polished, profitable and upscale — and maybe just a bit characterless — with each passing year."