Zach Mortice
@zachmortice.bsky.social
Chicago design journalist and critic, @bloomberg.com and elsewhere. In one of those phases where I can’t decide whether it matters what buildings look like or not.
https://zachmortice.com
https://zachmortice.com
Reposted by Zach Mortice
I've received many messages about this over the last two weeks — people still read, reference, and link to these stories WRITTEN BY REAL REPORTERS who knew their cities better than anyone else. I figured a fix might have been delayed due to holiday breaks but this needs to be remedied immediately!
The archives for the old Curbed city sites have been offline for at least two weeks. If these sites are gone for good, it’s not just a loss for those who contributed to Curbed over the years, but a loss of ~15 years of reporting on new development, neighborhoods, and architecture criticism.
January 5, 2026 at 5:43 PM
I've received many messages about this over the last two weeks — people still read, reference, and link to these stories WRITTEN BY REAL REPORTERS who knew their cities better than anyone else. I figured a fix might have been delayed due to holiday breaks but this needs to be remedied immediately!
Reposted by Zach Mortice
I noticed this too and I realllllly hope it is temporary @curbed.com @nymag.com because there is nothing else like it and it is half of my archive 😭
The archives for the old Curbed city sites have been offline for at least two weeks. If these sites are gone for good, it’s not just a loss for those who contributed to Curbed over the years, but a loss of ~15 years of reporting on new development, neighborhoods, and architecture criticism.
January 5, 2026 at 3:37 PM
I noticed this too and I realllllly hope it is temporary @curbed.com @nymag.com because there is nothing else like it and it is half of my archive 😭
Reposted by Zach Mortice
Hey, all - NYRA is a great way to spend approx $25/year. Their Los Angeles Review of Architecture issues are top-tier, as well.
We're too political for ads, so help us spread the news:
Subscriptions to NYRA are only $24.96 a year today!!!
nyra.nyc/subscribe/2025
Subscriptions to NYRA are only $24.96 a year today!!!
nyra.nyc/subscribe/2025
December 31, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Hey, all - NYRA is a great way to spend approx $25/year. Their Los Angeles Review of Architecture issues are top-tier, as well.
Reposted by Zach Mortice
You can do things
Today in the New York Times:
"One year after the start of congestion pricing, traffic jams are less severe, streets are safer, and commute times are improving for travelers from well beyond Manhattan."
"One year after the start of congestion pricing, traffic jams are less severe, streets are safer, and commute times are improving for travelers from well beyond Manhattan."
January 5, 2026 at 4:44 PM
You can do things
Reposted by Zach Mortice
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
January 5, 2026 at 6:50 AM
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
Reposted by Zach Mortice
Truly invaluable chronicle of architecture, design and development in major US cities; what say you @nymag.com
The archives for the old Curbed city sites have been offline for at least two weeks. If these sites are gone for good, it’s not just a loss for those who contributed to Curbed over the years, but a loss of ~15 years of reporting on new development, neighborhoods, and architecture criticism.
January 5, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Truly invaluable chronicle of architecture, design and development in major US cities; what say you @nymag.com
Youn can still read the piece on my website. @curbed.com, what happened with the archives? zachmortice.com/2016/10/05/p...
January 5, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Youn can still read the piece on my website. @curbed.com, what happened with the archives? zachmortice.com/2016/10/05/p...
I just checked in on a major piece I did for Curbed Chicago 10 years ago and it’s gone. What is the point of trashing a decade-plus of reporting and criticism on the built environment?
The archives for the old Curbed city sites have been offline for at least two weeks. If these sites are gone for good, it’s not just a loss for those who contributed to Curbed over the years, but a loss of ~15 years of reporting on new development, neighborhoods, and architecture criticism.
January 5, 2026 at 4:31 PM
I just checked in on a major piece I did for Curbed Chicago 10 years ago and it’s gone. What is the point of trashing a decade-plus of reporting and criticism on the built environment?
Reposted by Zach Mortice
US assisted/directed coups d’état in:
—Venezuela 2025
—Libya 2011
—Haiti 2004
—Iraq 2003
—Afghanistan 2001
—Haiti 1994
—Panama 1989
—Grenada 1983
—Chad 1982
—Argentina 1976
—Chile 1973
—Bolivia 1971
—Congo 1965
—Brazil 1964
—DR 1961
—Laos 1960
—Iran 1953
—etc
(doesn’t list failed US-assisted coups)
—Venezuela 2025
—Libya 2011
—Haiti 2004
—Iraq 2003
—Afghanistan 2001
—Haiti 1994
—Panama 1989
—Grenada 1983
—Chad 1982
—Argentina 1976
—Chile 1973
—Bolivia 1971
—Congo 1965
—Brazil 1964
—DR 1961
—Laos 1960
—Iran 1953
—etc
(doesn’t list failed US-assisted coups)
January 3, 2026 at 6:33 PM
US assisted/directed coups d’état in:
—Venezuela 2025
—Libya 2011
—Haiti 2004
—Iraq 2003
—Afghanistan 2001
—Haiti 1994
—Panama 1989
—Grenada 1983
—Chad 1982
—Argentina 1976
—Chile 1973
—Bolivia 1971
—Congo 1965
—Brazil 1964
—DR 1961
—Laos 1960
—Iran 1953
—etc
(doesn’t list failed US-assisted coups)
—Venezuela 2025
—Libya 2011
—Haiti 2004
—Iraq 2003
—Afghanistan 2001
—Haiti 1994
—Panama 1989
—Grenada 1983
—Chad 1982
—Argentina 1976
—Chile 1973
—Bolivia 1971
—Congo 1965
—Brazil 1964
—DR 1961
—Laos 1960
—Iran 1953
—etc
(doesn’t list failed US-assisted coups)
The tactics in Venezuela (abductions) and the way ICE is harassing my neighbors (also abductions) is a very stark reminder that this is All One Big Thing
January 3, 2026 at 11:39 AM
The tactics in Venezuela (abductions) and the way ICE is harassing my neighbors (also abductions) is a very stark reminder that this is All One Big Thing
Material conditions are 100% declining b/c they're selling candles that smell like haunted houses and tropical pirate coves instead of actual theme park vacations. magiccandlecompany.com?gad_source=2...
Magic Candle Company® | Theme Park & Resort Scents You'll Love
Shop Magic Candle Company® for the best home fragrances, gifts, candles, room sprays, wax melts, and hand soap products! Browse our large selection of theme park and resort scents and escape to your h...
magiccandlecompany.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Material conditions are 100% declining b/c they're selling candles that smell like haunted houses and tropical pirate coves instead of actual theme park vacations. magiccandlecompany.com?gad_source=2...
Reposted by Zach Mortice
I spoke with Block Club about our little Christmas album a handful of journalists and I released last week. Hear @mauriciopena.bsky.social crush the vocals on "The Christmas Song," me returning to my Midwest emo roots, and an original from @ctoner.bsky.social.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/22/c...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/22/c...
Chicago Journalists Swap Bylines For Basslines In New Christmas Album For Charity
The Chicago Media Chorus, a group of local journalists and editors, dropped their first Christmas album this week to raise money for StreetWise and spread holiday cheer.
blockclubchicago.org
December 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I spoke with Block Club about our little Christmas album a handful of journalists and I released last week. Hear @mauriciopena.bsky.social crush the vocals on "The Christmas Song," me returning to my Midwest emo roots, and an original from @ctoner.bsky.social.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/22/c...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/22/c...
Reposted by Zach Mortice
I have spent so much of my life writing the reports that show that programs like this are Good and the way that evidence doesn’t matter anymore is just… so dispiriting
The rate of return here is crazy: for a few hundred thousand dollars, this lab produces literally billions of oysters and supports a seafood industry worth hundreds of millions. And the Trump administration is just like "fuck all that, it's wasteful spending, you're fired"
trump take chesapeake bay
December 22, 2025 at 12:54 AM
I have spent so much of my life writing the reports that show that programs like this are Good and the way that evidence doesn’t matter anymore is just… so dispiriting
Reposted by Zach Mortice
"Has feminism failed women brought to you by bank of america" is my MKULTRA sleeper agent activation phrase
December 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
"Has feminism failed women brought to you by bank of america" is my MKULTRA sleeper agent activation phrase
Reposted by Zach Mortice
FBI deputy director Mike Cernovich has betrayed the legacy of Dan Bongino.
by David Brooks (2026)
by David Brooks (2026)
December 18, 2025 at 5:38 AM
FBI deputy director Mike Cernovich has betrayed the legacy of Dan Bongino.
by David Brooks (2026)
by David Brooks (2026)
As a man doing laundry in my own home I understand why I’m getting a stern “DEI” warning from my washing machine but don’t think it’s right
December 18, 2025 at 2:15 PM
As a man doing laundry in my own home I understand why I’m getting a stern “DEI” warning from my washing machine but don’t think it’s right
What’s really sad is that it’s hard to say if this is direct clientelism graft or just a fairly typical example of how inefficient and fragmented the building industry is. It’s almost definitely both.
December 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
What’s really sad is that it’s hard to say if this is direct clientelism graft or just a fairly typical example of how inefficient and fragmented the building industry is. It’s almost definitely both.
Reposted by Zach Mortice
Mostly a digital affair
American Canto sold 1165 physical copies in its first week, per bookscan.
December 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Mostly a digital affair
It is truly the Body Horror Administration
Wild photo choice from Vanity Fair with this extreme close-up of Karoline Leavitt. Earlier this year, people criticized her thin lips. Now VF is showing us a photo where you can see obvious lip filler injection sites. Lol. www.instagram.com/p/DSUsOvHDpH...
December 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
It is truly the Body Horror Administration
Reposted by Zach Mortice
I'm on Decoder Ring this week talking about one of my favorite topics. So simple, so perfect. The sandbox! slate.com/podcasts/dec...
December 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
I'm on Decoder Ring this week talking about one of my favorite topics. So simple, so perfect. The sandbox! slate.com/podcasts/dec...
Work emails are turn-based combat
December 17, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Work emails are turn-based combat
We don’t get book cover design like this anymore even tho we really do deserve it.
December 16, 2025 at 12:27 AM
We don’t get book cover design like this anymore even tho we really do deserve it.
Reposted by Zach Mortice
Al’s Under The L, 2908 West Lake Street
December 12, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Al’s Under The L, 2908 West Lake Street
Reposted by Zach Mortice
One of the best arguments for Just Saying No: Every jazz album recorded in Tokyo, where the band can’t buy drugs, is S-tier.
December 12, 2025 at 7:57 PM
One of the best arguments for Just Saying No: Every jazz album recorded in Tokyo, where the band can’t buy drugs, is S-tier.
Reposted by Zach Mortice
It's fitting that the cover on AI mindlessly apes an earlier creation and also displaces workers while elevating Silicon Valley plutocrats.
December 12, 2025 at 3:40 AM
It's fitting that the cover on AI mindlessly apes an earlier creation and also displaces workers while elevating Silicon Valley plutocrats.