Do You Remember the First 900?

 

If so, you recall the vintage version’s inner courtyard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Megan McKinney

 

There were two 900 buildings, and they managed to stand in the same footprint; however, the size and shape of 900 North Michigan Avenue of the years 1927-1984—directly below—and that of its successor today . . .   

 

Vintage 900

 

Today’s 900

. . . could not be less alike.

 

 

Around the corner from the current 900 North Michigan Avenue facade is the entrance—at 120 East Delaware Place—to Four Seasons Hotel, which has occupied a portion of the building only since the 1989 renovation.

 

 New York’s 834 Fifth Avenue

As great American cities of the nineteen twenties were heading toward the Great Depression, owners of immense estates surrounding cities of the nation’s eastern half began closing their superb country houses in favor of large, elegant apartments along Fifth and Park Avenue in New York, as well as similarly posh replacements, at fine locations within or near such cities as Philadelphia and Chicago.

 

Alden Park, Philadelphia

 

City units replacing the stately homes were usually cooperatives, elegant spreads with interiors designed to the specifications of their individual owners, often including such amenities as fine dark wood paneling. These remain in the structures today, enriching the lives of existing occupants. However, we wonder, did these owners sense a coming decline while their current economy was booming?

 

 

There it was—the first 900 building—at the corner of Delaware Place and Michigan Avenue, a U-shaped courtyard building with fine shops ringing the exterior of the ground floor. These were topped by thirty-three rental apartments on the second and third floors. The six floors above were divided into thirty-six units for the owners of the cooperative apartment building. They ranged in size from four to twelve rooms and included some duplexes.  Occasionally one comes across a former owner and—always—he or she is in near tears while  reminiscing  about the glorious days of the past.

 

 

Jacques French Restaurant on the ground level of the first 900 was there for everyone. Here’s what the web tells us about Jacques: In summer, diners enjoyed the Outdoor Patio, in winter, they flocked to the Continental Dining Room and always the Ritz Bar. There were private rooms for small or large parties. And the restaurant was open seven days a week from 11:30 A.M. until 12:00 Midnight

 

Lunching  patrons enjoyed summer weather under bright umbrellas in the Outdoor Patio.

 

And they observed deep winter through steamy windows from the Continental Dining Room.

 

Above is a postcard displaying an artist’s version of the Continental Dining Room that was a winter favorite.

 

Here we have a tiny photograph of real people inside the winter dining room at Jacques.

 

During an era when diners were smoking after dinner cigarettes.

 

 

Author photo: Robert F. Carl