Bob Sirott`s One More Thing about the Fine Arts building
Posted:
Updated:
By Bob Sirott, FOX 32 News at Nine Co-Anchor - bio
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
One more thing, about a landmark Chicago building and a man whose fame is equally historic.
The Fine Arts building at 410 S. Michigan Ave. was built in 1886. A theatre occupied part of the ground floor for many years. Inside, architectural gems abound. Many of the building's original bronze features have been restored. It was designed specifically for working artists and continues to be an artist's haven today, one of the nation's oldest artist colonies.
Frank Lloyd Wright once rented a studio on the 10th floor. But my favorite part of the building was elevator car number one and its gregarious operator, Irish immigrant Tommy Durkin--a fixture for 50 years until his retirement in 2000. Tommy was so popular with tenants that management brought him back part-time for another 10 years, until he retired for good.
Tommy's smiling face is on a bronze plaque in the lobby--now known as Durkin Hall. A fighting Irish fanatic, he used to host an annual corned beef and cabbage St. Patrick's Day luncheon downstairs in his own beloved memorabilia-filled Notre Dame room in the basement. Tommy died last week at the age of 81. You might want to raise a glass -to the heart and soul of the fine arts building on this St. Patrick's Day.
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:54:40 GMT
A man previously convicted of sex trafficking in Cook County has been charged again, this time for allegedly kidnapping a Minnesota woman and bringing her to Chicago to work in the sex trade.
A man previously convicted of sex trafficking in Cook County has been charged again, this time for allegedly kidnapping a Minnesota woman and bringing her to Chicago to work in the sex trade.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:46 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:46:42 GMT
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:54:41 GMT
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:27:06 GMT
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
