February 12, 2016 – Marina City is an official historic landmark as of Wednesday. Except for two aldermen who were absent, the City Council passed the ordinance unanimously, 48-0.

(Left) Marina City from roof of 35 East Wacker Drive on June 26, 2009. (Click on image to view larger version.)

“Citing their presence in every Chicago souvenir snow globe, the prominence of their architect [Bertrand Goldberg], and contribution to the history of Chicago architecture, the case was easily made for landmarking,” said 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly, who introduced the ordinance at the City Council meeting on January 13.

Ordinance O2016-65 was assigned to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards, which recommended on Tuesday that the designation be approved by the full City Council.

The process started last July, when an overview was sent to the condominium association at Marina City from the Historic Preservation Division. The overview discussed “benefits and responsibilities” for condo unit owners in a building designated a City of Chicago landmark.

On July 9, 2015, the seven-member Commission on Chicago Landmarks voted unanimously in favor of recommending Marina City be designated a landmark and sent a report to the city’s Department of Planning and Development, which recommended designation on January 7, 2016.

City officials had heard no objections at a 41-minute public hearing on October 16, 2015.

Expanded ‘adopt-a-landmark’ radius now includes Marina City

In his weekly newsletter to constituents, Reilly said landmark designation is a “tremendous opportunity” for unit owners at Marina City.

He says developers of nearby projects can “adopt a landmark” and receive benefits by helping to pay for improvements to the landmarked building. In 2014, Reilly widened the area of eligible buildings to include Marina City and other landmarks.

“These beloved historic structures are now within the radius of several new development proposals where they could benefit from developer contributions for major preservation efforts,” said Reilly (right).