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Federal Center and Plaza Review

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Federal Center and Plaza

Address: Dirksen:, 219 S. Dearborn St., Loop, Chicago, IL | Map It

Category: Government Buildings
Location: The Loop

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Fodor's Review:

Designed in 1959, but not completed until 1974, this severe constellation of buildings around a sweeping plaza was Mies van der Rohe's first mixed-use urban project. Fans of the International Style will groove on this pocket of pure modernism, while others can take comfort in the presence of the Marquette Building, which marks the north side of the site. In contrast to this dark ensemble are the great red arches of Alexander Calder's Flamingo. The piece was dedicated on the same day in 1974 that the artist's The Universe was unveiled at Sears Tower. Calder went from one event to the other, riding through the streets in a brightly colored circus wagon accompanied by calliopes. The area is bound by Dearborn, Clark, and Adams streets and Jackson Boulevard.