Lee Bey
@leebey1.bsky.social
Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic and formerly 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.
Jesse Jackson 'I Am Somebody' on Sesame Street
YouTube video by Headline USA
youtu.be
February 17, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Ever notice Robert Duvall's few-second cameo in the 1978 Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake?
February 17, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Ever notice Robert Duvall's few-second cameo in the 1978 Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake?
I'm outside the Obama Center museum tower right now. The new letters -- an excerpt from Obama's Selma speech -- are tough read to me, giving off the lorem ipsum vibes.
February 16, 2026 at 7:45 PM
I'm outside the Obama Center museum tower right now. The new letters -- an excerpt from Obama's Selma speech -- are tough read to me, giving off the lorem ipsum vibes.
My architecture column today: "The artist was picked in September to create a new terrazzo tile atrium floor at the base of the building. The job included a new decorative skin — possibly a mix of vinyl and stained glass — to adorn the atrium’s exposed 17-story elevator system."
Artist Judy Chicago logs out of Google renovation project over artistic differences
The troubles described by the artist are the public's first look behind the glass walls of the $300 million development, beyond the news releases and architectural renderings released by Google.
chicago.suntimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:02 PM
My architecture column today: "The artist was picked in September to create a new terrazzo tile atrium floor at the base of the building. The job included a new decorative skin — possibly a mix of vinyl and stained glass — to adorn the atrium’s exposed 17-story elevator system."
For Valentine's Day: The intro to "Cupid," a 1998 sitcom starring @jeremypiven as Trevor Hale who may or may not be the God of Love, and Paula Marshall as Dr. Claire Allen who has to figure it out. Witty, set in Chicago, and a theme by The Pretenders. Deserved more than 1 season.
February 14, 2026 at 1:38 PM
For Valentine's Day: The intro to "Cupid," a 1998 sitcom starring @jeremypiven as Trevor Hale who may or may not be the God of Love, and Paula Marshall as Dr. Claire Allen who has to figure it out. Witty, set in Chicago, and a theme by The Pretenders. Deserved more than 1 season.
My architecture column today. "To show off these structures that are being developed in Chicago, I think it’s a really beautiful art," Chicago Architecture Center Chief Marketing Officer Lauren Bakos said. "And it’s sad that it’s kind of a dying one."
Model shop that provided the first draft of many great Chicago buildings closes
Columbian Model & Exhibit Works made architectural models for the Lakeshore East high-rise development, the Jeanne Gang-designed St. Regis at 363 E. Wacker Drive and the Obama Presidential Center in J...
chicago.suntimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:11 PM
My architecture column today. "To show off these structures that are being developed in Chicago, I think it’s a really beautiful art," Chicago Architecture Center Chief Marketing Officer Lauren Bakos said. "And it’s sad that it’s kind of a dying one."
Remember Hill Street Blues' dark riff on Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne moving into Cabrini Green? Mayoral candidate Ben Fisk wanted to move into the Dante Projects and...
February 12, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Remember Hill Street Blues' dark riff on Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne moving into Cabrini Green? Mayoral candidate Ben Fisk wanted to move into the Dante Projects and...
Dug these cats when I was in college. Still do.
The Cure - Hot Hot Hot!!!
YouTube video by TheCureVEVO
youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Dug these cats when I was in college. Still do.
I'm out again this cold morning taking pix for the West Side book. I want the book's images to reflect all four seasons, but geez! Anyway I'm at the Douglass Park Flower Hall.
February 8, 2026 at 4:51 PM
I'm out again this cold morning taking pix for the West Side book. I want the book's images to reflect all four seasons, but geez! Anyway I'm at the Douglass Park Flower Hall.
Discover Card turned a closed Target at 86th & Cottage Grove into the Chatham Customer Care Center and Shine Bright Community Center a few years ago and chose two of my South Side images to turn into giant photo murals inside the place. I finally stopped by yesterday to see them.
February 7, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Discover Card turned a closed Target at 86th & Cottage Grove into the Chatham Customer Care Center and Shine Bright Community Center a few years ago and chose two of my South Side images to turn into giant photo murals inside the place. I finally stopped by yesterday to see them.
My good buddy, Jill Petty w her copy of Southern Exposure. Jill was Northwestern U Press acquisitions editor in 2018 and suggested I turn my Chicago Architecture Biennial photo show into a book onSouth Side architecture. It hit that she doesn't have an autographed copy of the book. Now she does.
February 6, 2026 at 11:53 PM
My good buddy, Jill Petty w her copy of Southern Exposure. Jill was Northwestern U Press acquisitions editor in 2018 and suggested I turn my Chicago Architecture Biennial photo show into a book onSouth Side architecture. It hit that she doesn't have an autographed copy of the book. Now she does.
Today's architecture column looks at Ross Barney Architects Auburn Gresham Apartments "part of a notable come-up for that stretch of the Seven-Nine, bringing color, life — even open balconies and green space — to the corridor."
Stylish new affordable housing improved a once hard-luck corner in Auburn Gresham
Together, the apartment buildings represent a notable come-up for that stretch of the Seven-Nine, bringing color, life — even open balconies and green space — to a corridor that had been a commercial ...
chicago.suntimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Today's architecture column looks at Ross Barney Architects Auburn Gresham Apartments "part of a notable come-up for that stretch of the Seven-Nine, bringing color, life — even open balconies and green space — to the corridor."
The city seeks landmark status for the building two months after the aldermen gave DePaul permission raze to four 1890s rowhouses and a 1925 apartment house to build a $60 million basketball and athletics center on the 2300 block of North Sheffield Avenue.
City to seek landmark status for a neo-Gothic hall on the DePaul University campus
The move comes just two months after aldermen gave the school permission to raze five other buildings — all on the National Register — to make room for an athletics facility.
chicago.suntimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:04 PM
The city seeks landmark status for the building two months after the aldermen gave DePaul permission raze to four 1890s rowhouses and a 1925 apartment house to build a $60 million basketball and athletics center on the 2300 block of North Sheffield Avenue.
Soul Queen, 9031 S. Stony Island as seen by me in October 2005. Was built in 1961 as Jenny's restaurant. The building is a daycare center now.
February 4, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Soul Queen, 9031 S. Stony Island as seen by me in October 2005. Was built in 1961 as Jenny's restaurant. The building is a daycare center now.
Reposted by Lee Bey
Northwestern’s promised “premium for everyone” fan experience at the new Ryan Field, the $862 million stadium project under construction since mid-2024, will have to wait until October, the Sun-Times has learned.
EXCLUSIVE: Northwestern's new Ryan Field won't open until Oct. 2 against Penn State
chicago.suntimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Northwestern’s promised “premium for everyone” fan experience at the new Ryan Field, the $862 million stadium project under construction since mid-2024, will have to wait until October, the Sun-Times has learned.
Man, this still rocks.
Simple Minds - Promised You A Miracle
YouTube video by SimpleMindsVEVO
youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Man, this still rocks.
Reposted by Lee Bey
He’s going to tear it down
February 1, 2026 at 11:29 PM
He’s going to tear it down
Photographing William Drummond's fantastic Greater St John church at 5701 W. Midway Park this morning w middle daughter Cassie.
February 1, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Photographing William Drummond's fantastic Greater St John church at 5701 W. Midway Park this morning w middle daughter Cassie.
Our architecture critic has his doubts. But the group’s work could impact Chicago projects such as the O’Hare Airport expansion, Union Station improvements and the planned redo of North DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Will a new Trump council make federal infrastructure look great again?
Our architecture critic has his doubts. But the group's work could impact Chicago projects such as the O'Hare Airport expansion, Union Station improvements and the planned redo of North DuSable Lake S...
chicago.suntimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Our architecture critic has his doubts. But the group’s work could impact Chicago projects such as the O’Hare Airport expansion, Union Station improvements and the planned redo of North DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
One more, from her SCTV days.
January 31, 2026 at 3:23 PM
One more, from her SCTV days.
Catherine O'Hara in one of my favorite movies, Scorsese's "After Hours."
January 31, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Catherine O'Hara in one of my favorite movies, Scorsese's "After Hours."
Reposted by Lee Bey
When this is finally over — and it will end — the brave citizens who ran into the street to confront ICE, to blow whistles and have teargas sprayed in their faces, will be seen as American heroes, like the Minutemen at Lexington and Concord. I thought I'd get a jump on history and point it out now.
January 23, 2026 at 10:43 PM
When this is finally over — and it will end — the brave citizens who ran into the street to confront ICE, to blow whistles and have teargas sprayed in their faces, will be seen as American heroes, like the Minutemen at Lexington and Concord. I thought I'd get a jump on history and point it out now.
Reposted by Lee Bey
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chicago.suntimes.com/become-a-mem...
Become a Chicago Sun-Times member today!
The Chicago Sun-Times is now a non-profit news organization that is free and accessible for anyone to read.
chicago.suntimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:21 PM
If you'd like to support my work further then sharing and liking my photos, consider becoming a one time donation to the Chicago Sun-Times or becoming a member today!
chicago.suntimes.com/become-a-mem...
chicago.suntimes.com/become-a-mem...
Reposted by Lee Bey
Ryan Coogler’s blues-steeped vampire epic “Sinners” led all films with 16 nominations to the 98th Academy Awards on Thursday, setting a record for the most in Oscar history.
'Sinners' makes history, setting Oscars nomination record
chicago.suntimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Ryan Coogler’s blues-steeped vampire epic “Sinners” led all films with 16 nominations to the 98th Academy Awards on Thursday, setting a record for the most in Oscar history.
Walser column update. “It is not currently for sale and steps have been taken to request removal of an unauthorized online listing. We are completing initial services & debris removal and will then begin preparing the property for listing,” Fannie Mae sez.
Fannie Mae takes ownership of long-suffering West Side Frank Lloyd Wright home
"It's good news now that the building is out of the mess of the foreclosure process, and now, we've got a clear path to possible ownership for somebody to take this on," Barbara Gordon, executive dire...
chicago.suntimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:41 AM
Walser column update. “It is not currently for sale and steps have been taken to request removal of an unauthorized online listing. We are completing initial services & debris removal and will then begin preparing the property for listing,” Fannie Mae sez.