The FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island is an outdoor amphitheater located on the man-made peninsula, Northerly Island, in Chicago, Illinois. Opening June 2005, the venue is a temporary structure, with the season running from June until September. Known as the "Venue with a View", the amphitheater has views of Lake Michigan, Burnham Harbor, Soldier Field and the Chicago Skyline.HistoryThe venue lies on the former site of Meigs Field. On March 30, 2003, Mayor Richard M. Daley ordered a midnight demolition of the airfield. The construction crew excavated six large X's on the runway. Daley stated the continued operation of the airfield was a threat to Chicago's cityscape, using the events of 9/11 as a reference. The airfield was set to continue operation until 2011, when it would be turned over to the City of Chicago. No one within state or city government were consulted on the demolition besides Daley. The Federal Aviation Administration fined the city $33,000, with an additional one million paid in grants.In August 2003, construction crews were sent in to continue demolition of the airfield. Originally, the space was planned to become an aviation museum. Daley refuted the plan and proposed the space become a lakefront park and nature reserve. Within the allocated 91 acres, Northerly Island was born. Over four acres were set aside for the forthcoming music venue.
The R.R Donnelley Printing Plant, sometimes known as the The Calumet Plant or the Lakeside Plant and now known as the Lakeside Technology Center, was built between 1912 and 1929 to house the operations of the RR Donnelley printing company. The building supported printing operations for the company and was the Donnelley headquarters until 1991 when they moved the headquarters to 77 West Wacker. In 1993, the plant was closed after the discontinuation by Sears, Roebuck and Co. of its mail-order catalog, which had been the last major account printed there. In 1999 the building was retrofitted and is currently owned by Digital Realty Trust operating as a carrier hotel or data center. The newly outfitted building was the first and largest planned carrier hotel in the United States.The building was designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw to be a fireproof design of poured reinforced concrete columns and an open-shell concrete floor. Although considered to be expensive by the standards of that time, T.E. Donnelley agreed that the support would be needed for the many tons of paper they used and large presses they operated. Supported by 4,675 steel-reinforced concrete columns, this type of construction not only served the Donnelly well, it also provided the perfect infrastructure for future tenants. To further the building’s support structure, reinforcing bars, normally laid perpendicular, were laid at various angles enabling the floors to bear loads of at least 250 pounds per square foot.
Step into Hyatt Regency McCormick Place where our luxurious wood paneled lobby filled with comfortable leather seating groups dispels your preconceived notion of conventional hotels immediately. Here, chic yet inviting décor, superb service and luxurious amenities enhance your guest experience from the moment you enter our welcoming Chicago McCormick Place hotel. Take in the incredible views of downtown, Lake Michigan and the Museum Campus from contemporary guestrooms. Savor a variety of delicious cuisines in our popular McCormick Place hotel restaurants. Relax in our indoor pool and StayFit™ fitness center.