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Springfield 2008 |
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There’s more to Springfield Illinois than the beautiful State Capitol building
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Our hotel was a landmarked and restored swanky highrise from 1961 by Henry Newhouse Jr.
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 We gathered in the lobby decorated in mid century style and got our tour introduction from Anthony |
 The hotel was renovated in 2003 and reincarnated as a boutique Modernist hotel. |
 First stop: Horace Mann Educators Insurance Co. by Minoru Yamasaki, 1969-71 |
 The architect wrote that the concept was that of an “oasis in an urban jungle” |
 A huge travertine terrace echos the grid of the building design |
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 Lush gardens were designed by Sasaki, Dawson, DeMay Assoc. |
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 Marine Bank, Earl Wallace Henderson Jr. 1974-76 |
Wally Henderson, architect, with Joan Gand, Secretary of CBB |
 The skylights echo the shape of the original building’s details |
 A spectacular balcony allows bankers to look down from their offices |
 The Town House, an 87-unit high rise residence by Shaw Metz and Dolio, 1955-58 |
 Anthony shows the original brochure for this luxurious building with an original budget of $2.5 million. |
 Drawing from the original brochure shows the elegant interior design |
 The brochure calls the Town House, “Springfield’s Address of Distinction” |
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An elaborate marble and terrazo staircase rises to a special apartment off the lobby |
The original book-matched Cremo marble and the original light fixtures in the restored lobby |
 Another of the wonderful, architect-designed polished brass sconces |
 A reception was held in the bar area off of the lobby |
 Kate and Anthony with our host from the building |
 A view from one of the unit’s balconies |
 The Town House is listed on the National Register |
 The Garvey House by maverick Modernist architect John Benya, 1957 |
 The waffle-slab roof is unique among his residential work |
 Durable surfaces included vinyl asbestos tile and wood laminate |
 The spacious kitchen even includes a built-in drinking fountain |
 The steel framed, glass-walled house overlooks a beautiful pool and yard by Charles Aguar |
 The Hiltebrand House by Robert Lloyd Buckles, 1958 |
 This home is also the residence of Wally Henderson, the architect of the Marine Bank |
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A beautiful collection of Knoll furniture by Warren Platner in the living area |
 The modernized kitchen retains some of the original appliances |
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The built-in oven is still in perfect condition |
The Simmons House by Robert Lloyd Buckles, 1956 was our last stop of the day |
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The home belongs to our host, Anthony Rubano, and exemplifies the mid-century modern lifestyle! |
Anthony, CBB president Joe Kunkel, and Joan partake at the fabulous cocktail party prepared by our hosts |
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Note the clerestory windows and unique running bond brick custom designed for the home |
 Anthony’s home featured period furniture, appliances, and collections throughout |
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Hanging out in the “outdoor living room” - an enclosed breezeway for 3-season living |
 An architectural element salvaged from a demolished building acts as a screen in the entry area |
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The massive chimney has flues for fireplace and barbecue |
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 Tour goers had a chance to socialize in mid-century style |
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Gary Gand, vice-president and Joan Gand by the see-thru fireplace |
 The sunken living room with a custom George Nelson CSS storage unit (gold-tone) designed for the home |
 One of the many collections of items beautiful grouped to make an artful composition |
 Illinois State Bar Assoc. by Walter Netsch, 1966 started off our tour on Sunday |
 Anthony explained to the group that Netsch, of SOM, gives most of the credit for this building to Bob Peters |
 The interior was designed with a central atrium and stairs going up to the office areas |
 The stairs create an elegant geometry that defines the elegant space |
 Our tour concluded at the Illinois Building, 1949-1950, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds by Loebl, Schlossman and Bennett |
 A great example of the International Style, the building includes a soaring space. |
 The multi-purpose building includes an auditorium and a roof-top terrace |
