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.
Bears beat the Lions in OT, 45 years ago today. I remember this like it was yesterday.
November 27, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Bears beat the Lions in OT, 45 years ago today. I remember this like it was yesterday.
Walter Payton uses a paper transfer to ride public transit on the 1979 RTA commercial.
November 24, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Walter Payton uses a paper transfer to ride public transit on the 1979 RTA commercial.
I can't sing and can't play a musical instrument. But back in 1985 when I had to pose for this group shot, I totally tried to steal what Jellybean Johnson did on the cover of The Time's 1981 album. The power of the skinny tie compelled me.
November 23, 2025 at 12:18 AM
I can't sing and can't play a musical instrument. But back in 1985 when I had to pose for this group shot, I totally tried to steal what Jellybean Johnson did on the cover of The Time's 1981 album. The power of the skinny tie compelled me.
Today's architecture column in print. “This is a unique little jewel box,” Chicago art historian and stained glass expert Rolf Achilles said of Ave Maria chapel in the West Lawn neighborhood. “[It’s] absolutely unique. There’s nothing like it in Chicago.”
November 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Today's architecture column in print. “This is a unique little jewel box,” Chicago art historian and stained glass expert Rolf Achilles said of Ave Maria chapel in the West Lawn neighborhood. “[It’s] absolutely unique. There’s nothing like it in Chicago.”
Am looking up WPA era schools and found this near-cousin to Chicago Vocational: Weequhic High School in Newark. Built in 1933 and designed by architects Guilbert & Betelle.
November 22, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Am looking up WPA era schools and found this near-cousin to Chicago Vocational: Weequhic High School in Newark. Built in 1933 and designed by architects Guilbert & Betelle.
My Obama Center column in today's print edition. "What we did realize is that in 50 years ... people will want to pay homage [to Obama’s presidency]," architect Billie Tsien said. "This was a crucial time in the history of our country. Therefore, the building needs to have a kind of power to it."
November 16, 2025 at 1:37 PM
My Obama Center column in today's print edition. "What we did realize is that in 50 years ... people will want to pay homage [to Obama’s presidency]," architect Billie Tsien said. "This was a crucial time in the history of our country. Therefore, the building needs to have a kind of power to it."
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Got this today from Joshua Bowen at TickTock Filmworks and Kurtis Productions: My 2023 Midwest Emmy nomination as host of Building/Blocks, our doc on South Side architecture, based on my Southern Exposure book. Our team got nominated, but didn't win. But just getting the nod was (and is) a blast!
October 8, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Got this today from Joshua Bowen at TickTock Filmworks and Kurtis Productions: My 2023 Midwest Emmy nomination as host of Building/Blocks, our doc on South Side architecture, based on my Southern Exposure book. Our team got nominated, but didn't win. But just getting the nod was (and is) a blast!
Man o man. Lee Marvin as Lt. Frank Ballenger, wheeling that big Ford down Wacker Drive past the old Sun-Times Building in this 1960 episode of M Squad.
October 2, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Man o man. Lee Marvin as Lt. Frank Ballenger, wheeling that big Ford down Wacker Drive past the old Sun-Times Building in this 1960 episode of M Squad.
I spotted a phone booth in the men's room of Bar Sol restaurant at Navy Pier today. Phone doesn't work tho.
September 30, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I spotted a phone booth in the men's room of Bar Sol restaurant at Navy Pier today. Phone doesn't work tho.