Millennium Park Chicago

Since it opened in 2004, Millennium Park has become an essential destination for visitors to and residents of Chicago, second only to Navy Pier. As with many of Chicagos architectural and artistic marvels, how the park came to be is a story of outsize ambition, luck, political manoeuvring, and turning obstacles into opportunities. Cheryl Kents lavishly illustrated book is the best general introduction to the parks history and each of its attractions. Each chapter describes a conceptual, design, and construction process that defied the odds. From Anish Kapoors Cloud Gate (affectionately called the Bean) to Frank Gehrys Jay Pritzker Pavilion, projects that could have been modest and conventional instead blossomed into trophy pieces to rival Picassos sculpture in Daley Plaza. In every case, the story of how that transformation occurred shows individuals who invested themselves in the spirit of the enterprise and accomplished more than they ever thought they could. Its millions of visitors attest to Millennium Parks enduring appeal. Cheryl Kents book will be both an essential guide to the park and a keepsake for those who have enjoyed its unique attractions.