flying to pieces: lastest survey of herman von holst's chicago south side chicago comed station

flying to pieces.

hermann v von holst's southside chicago massive comed substation (also known as the gaitan building, 1924) is standing, but the degree of deterioration since i've been documenting it (beginning in 2018) is very alarming.

moisture penetration deeply embedded in exterior walls has caused the facade to buckle in some places. spalling of original face brick continues to spread far and wide.

several of holst's signature patterned tile lunettes found a new home on the sidewalk below. one of the bedford limestone rondels with lightbulb fell from the building and disappeared since my last visit in fall of 2020.

if deferred maintenance was employed to ensure its destruction, then mission accomplished.

images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive. all rights reserved. 2023.