It was pretty ridiculous that I lived in Chicago for two years and never made it over to The Rookery. It wasn't even that far from where we lived! (Chuck did get to see it once without me however.) I don't know why I never made it there but I was determined to make up for that this year on one of my holiday trips back to Chicago. I'm glad I did it at the holidays too because the space was so nicely decorated for Christmas:
It's a notable work of architecture designed initially by Burnham & Root, later remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright. It's got several obviously Wright designed additions, his large urns and the light fixtures to name a few, but I was surprised by all the marble with golden patterning throughout the space. Even the underside of those urns were covered with gold! Some of that actually covers the original wrought iron, which is itself elaborately decorated. It's hard to imagine the original appearance of the space pre-Wright, but it seems like it would be equally impressive. The stairs, and one exposed column start to give you an idea:
Shortly after I moved away from from Chicago the FLW Preservation Trust, who I used to volunteer with giving tour of the Robie House, started offering tours and opened a gift shop in the light court. Unfortunately we manage to just miss the tour for the day I was there, but next visit I think I plan on making the longer tour Wednesdays at noon.
I think my favorite part of the space was the filigreed structure in the ceiling of the light court:
I think my favorite part of the space was the filigreed structure in the ceiling of the light court:
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