Ralph C. Harris
Encyclopedia
Ralph C. Harris was an architect working in Chicago during the first half of the 20th century. He designed some of the largest hotels and residences of the time: The Aquitania luxury apartment in Uptown, Chicago
, 1350 North Astor in Chicago's Gold Coast, Canterbury Court on the Near North Side
, and the Tokyo Hotel (Chicago)
. http://www.emporis.com/en/cd/cm/?id=102334
All of these were, for their time, massive structures. They are fifteen-storey buildings, except for Canterbury Court, which is seventeen. The Tokyo Hotel and Canterbury Court are bulky, solid structures which dominate their immediate environment. However, 1350 North Astor and the Aquitania, especially the latter, are airier and more open to the outside. Harris specialized in the Classical Revival style, red brick-clad façades, and terracotta decorations on the upper storeys.
Harris also designed the 1956 residential Phoenix Towers in Phoenix, Arizona
, remarkable for its open-air passages on each floor.
Uptown, Chicago
Uptown is one of Chicago’s 77 community areas. Uptown has well defined boundaries. They are: Foster on the north; Lake Michigan on the east; Montrose , and Irving Park on the south; Ravenswood , and Clark on the west. Uptown borders three community areas and Lake Michigan...
, 1350 North Astor in Chicago's Gold Coast, Canterbury Court on the Near North Side
Near North Side, Chicago
The Near North Side is one of 77 well-defined community areas of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located north and east of the Chicago River, just north of the central business district . To its east is Lake Michigan and its northern boundary is the 19th-century city limit of Chicago,...
, and the Tokyo Hotel (Chicago)
Tokyo Hotel (Chicago)
The Tokyo Hotel, located at 19 E. Ohio Street, is a budget hotel in the North Loop of Chicago. Designed by architect Ralph C. Harris, it is 15 stories tall, and has 150 rooms. It opened in 1927 as the Devonshire Hotel. Today the hotel appeals especially to student and young-adult backpackers. It...
. http://www.emporis.com/en/cd/cm/?id=102334
All of these were, for their time, massive structures. They are fifteen-storey buildings, except for Canterbury Court, which is seventeen. The Tokyo Hotel and Canterbury Court are bulky, solid structures which dominate their immediate environment. However, 1350 North Astor and the Aquitania, especially the latter, are airier and more open to the outside. Harris specialized in the Classical Revival style, red brick-clad façades, and terracotta decorations on the upper storeys.
Harris also designed the 1956 residential Phoenix Towers in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, remarkable for its open-air passages on each floor.