22 Feb a visual narrative of washington porter ii’s 1930s unusual “kiosk sphinx” from beginning to end and remnant rediscovery in 2007

photographic images of washingtion porter’s beloved kiosk sphinx (louis i. simon, architect), located at 4043 lake park avenue, chicago, il.

designed in egyptian revivalstyle to showcase porter’s antique collection, it featured a 15-story observation tower visible from lake shore drive, intended to be topped with a glass sphinx (never completed). the interior included grottos, glass terraces, secret passages, and themed rooms. porter claimed ownership of napoleon’s table silver and valuable goldfish.

financial difficulties due to the project’s $350,000 cost led to lawsuits and unpaid taxes. porter abandoned the building in 1939; it fell into disrepair and was demolished in september 1957 for cha properties. remnants were discovered during a 2007 excavation by timothy james samuelson.

decline and demolition:

2007 remnant recovery:

images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom, the bld, 51 archive, and timothy james samuelson. recovered remnants from excavation courtesy of timothy james samuelson.