30 Aug recreated pieces of louis h. sullivan gage building’s cartouche arrive in chicago

i was recently notified that recreated gage building (1899) terra cotta sections have made their way to chicago, were they await installation below the building’s roofline. this brick-exposed cavity once contained one of two of sullivan-designed cartouches; the original, removed during extensive rehabilitation of the gage building’s facade beginning in 2007, remains in storage at boston valley terra cotta where it was replicated.

the creative process: from factory in buffalo, ny., to the scaffolding hugging gage building.

the contractor who was hired to install the newly fabricated pieces did not return my emails and/or phone calls, so i took it upon myself to capture the pieces from the window of the neighboring chicago athletic association building the other day. in addition, i photographed two tradesman on the facade installing trim sections just above the storefront level. i must admit, i’m disappointed (given my background and my company’s insurance policy for these type of sites) that i could not document the installation more closely, in order to create a more thorough and visually illuminating record of what i consider to be a very important installation of sullivan ornament. regardless, i will continue to document the gage building facade restoration to the very end, whether i gain greater access to facade and ornament, or have to continue shooting from the street.

for previous coverage of the gage building facade restoration, see below:

BOSTON VALLEY TERRA COTTA FACTORY VISIT

PUTTING LOUIS H. SULLIVAN’S GAGE BUILDING (1898) TERRA COTTA FACADE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN

EXPOSED “WOUNDS” ALONG THE TERRA COTTA FACADE OF LOUIS SULLIVAN’S GAGE BUILDING REMAIN UNDRESSED AND PRONE TO THE ELEMENTS

GAGE BUILDING FACADE RESTORATION LEADS TO BOSTON VALLEY TERRA COTTA COMPANY VISIT