In the early 1960s, Chicago stood at a critical juncture in its urban development. The rise of suburban sprawl and decentralization threatened the vitality of its urban core. Amidst this shifting landscape, Bertrand Goldberg envisioned a radical solution to revitalize city living: Marina City. Constructed between 1961 and 1968, Marina City was not just another high-rise development but a profound rethinking of how cities should function. Goldberg sought to design a self-contained, mixed-use complex that combined residential, commercial, and leisure activities into a cohesive urban organism—a “city within a city.”
Marina City Technical Information
- Architects1-7: Bertrand Goldberg
- Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Site Area: Approximately 2.7 acres (1.1 hectares)
- Project Year: 1961–1968
- Photographs: © Steven Dahlman
The city is not a mechanism, it is an organism, and architecture must reflect that.
– Bertrand Goldberg 8
Marina City Photographs
Architectural Form and Structural Innovation
Goldberg’s approach to urbanism stood in contrast to the orthodoxy of modernist architecture at the time. While his contemporaries championed the international style’s rigid, rectilinear forms, Goldberg embraced organic shapes and human-centered design. His solution to urban sprawl was not to stretch the city horizontally but to condense it vertically, creating a dynamic architectural organism that responded to both the human scale and the city’s broader needs.
In many ways, Marina City redefined the concept of urban living by merging diverse functions into a singular architectural form. It was an ambitious attempt to preserve urban density, promote sustainability, and cultivate a sense of community decades before these concerns became central to architectural discourse. Marina City, even today, remains a pioneering vision in mixed-use development.
At first glance, Marina City’s twin cylindrical towers appear almost alien against the Chicago skyline’s linear and angular backdrop. Yet, this distinctive form, characterized by petal-shaped balconies radiating from a central core, exemplifies Goldberg’s philosophy of organic architecture. Inspired by natural forms, Goldberg sought to break free from the box-like structures that dominated the architectural landscape of his time. The curvilinear design, with its rhythm of radial lines, offers an aesthetic rooted in harmony with nature.
From an engineering perspective, Marina City was a remarkable feat. Goldberg opted for reinforced concrete over steel—a bold choice that allowed for the towers’ fluid, non-linear shape. The central core, housing elevators, and utilities serve as the building’s spine, while the radial arrangement of floors maximizes structural efficiency. The cantilevered balconies create a striking visual effect, extending the living spaces outward while maintaining the building’s structural integrity.
Functionally, the circular design posed unique challenges in terms of space efficiency. The pie-shaped apartments, though unconventional, were a practical solution to the radial floor plan. With its sweeping views of the city and river, each unit offered a sense of openness and fluidity, departing from the rigid grids typical of urban apartment layouts. Goldberg’s design, while visually innovative, balanced form and function, created aesthetically striking and livable spaces.
Functionality and Mixed-Use Dynamics
One of the most revolutionary aspects of Marina City was its integration of mixed-use spaces. At a time when urban developments were typically divided by function, Marina City brought together living, working, and recreational spaces into a cohesive whole. The towers housed over 900 residential units, while the lower levels contained a marina, restaurants, retail spaces, and a theater and bowling alley. This vertical layering of activities was unprecedented in its ambition, creating a microcosm of urban life within a single development.
The spatial organization of Marina City promotes fluidity between private and public realms. The marina, located at the base of the complex, acts as a public gathering space, fostering interaction between residents and the broader city. The commercial levels above the parking garages blend seamlessly into the residential towers, creating a dynamic interplay between different types of space.
However, this integration of mixed-use functions also presents challenges. While the vertical stacking of programmatic elements is a brilliant response to the urban condition, it raises questions about the hierarchy of spaces. The parking garages, for instance, occupy the lower levels of the towers, forming a bulky base that can feel disconnected from the more human-scaled residential and public spaces above. Despite these criticisms, Marina City’s programmatic diversity remains one of its defining achievements, offering a template for future mixed-use skyscrapers.
Marina City Legacy and Contemporary Relevance
Marina City’s influence on subsequent architectural developments cannot be understated. In many ways, it served as a prototype for mixed-use skyscrapers, particularly those prioritizing residential and commercial integration. The development anticipated many urban challenges of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, particularly the need for sustainable, high-density living in rapidly growing cities. Goldberg’s vision of vertical urbanism is evident in later projects around the world, from Tokyo to New York, where the integration of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces has become the norm.
Yet, despite its forward-thinking design, Marina City faces the challenges of aging infrastructure. Preservation efforts have sought to maintain its iconic form, but like many mid-century buildings, it confronts the limitations of its material and technological context. The question arises: can such a visionary project continue to serve its original purpose in an era of ever-evolving urbanism?
Marina City was a pioneering model of sustainability, community, and architectural ingenuity long before such terms were ubiquitous in architectural discourse. While the project has aged, its core principles of mixed-use verticality and organic form continue to resonate. In a contemporary world grappling with density, sustainability, and urban vitality issues, Marina City is both a relic of its time and a harbinger of the future. Bertrand Goldberg’s vision still challenges architects to think beyond conventional forms and reimagine how cities can thrive vertically.
Marina City Plans
Marina City Image Gallery
About Bertrand Goldberg
Bertrand Goldberg (1913–1997) was an American architect known for his innovative use of organic forms and pioneering approach to urban design. Educated at Harvard and the Bauhaus under Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Goldberg challenged the rigid conventions of modernism with projects like Marina City in Chicago, a visionary mixed-use complex that redefined urban living. His designs often embraced curved, sculptural forms, using materials like reinforced concrete to create functional yet aesthetically distinct buildings. Throughout his career, Goldberg remained dedicated to human-centered architecture that responded to the needs of both individuals and communities.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Building Type: Mixed-use residential and commercial complex
- Height: Residential Towers: 179 meters (588 feet), Total Floors: 65 floors per tower
- Number of Residential Units: 900+ apartments
- Primary Material: Reinforced concrete
- Structural System: Cylindrical towers with a central core, Radial floor plan supported by the central concrete core, Cantilevered balconies extending from the central core
- Parking Capacity: 18 stories of parking, around 896 spaces per tower
- Construction Cost: $36 million (at the time of construction)
- Bertrand Goldberg: Architecture of Invention by Zoë Ryan, Alison Fisher, Elizabeth Smith, Sarah Whiting
