Spring Fling suggestion

Eventually, I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world. 

— Frank Lloyd Wright —

If you're arriving in Chicago a bit early for Spring Fling, you'll have time to squeeze in a visit to the Prairie Avenue Bookshop, the largest architectural bookshop in the world. This is a great resource for anyone looking for new, used and out-of-print titles in architecture, design and landscape to mention only a few areas. The store currently features more than 20,000 volumes! 

The last time I was there I picked up a copy of "David Hicks: Designer" by Ashley Hicks which I'd been unable to find locally. I also saw more different titles devoted to one of our favorite artist/gardeners, Ian Hamilton Finlay, than I realized even existed. Mark was not with me, however, and I couldn't decide which was the perfect choice for our garden library. But this time that won't be a problem.

And PA is in the middle of wonderful Chicago visual and architectural treasures, including the "L." I know we're all converging on the city to look down at the ground at gardens; but this is a great town for gazing skyward. While looking for PA last fall, I saw all kinds of great 19th century decorative details on nearby buildngs.  

The store itself is unlike any American bookstore you've ever visited. The design and layout — from lighting to sales area — were conceived "in response to owner Marilyn Hasbrouck's thoughts regardeing the ideal architectural bookshop generated over 35 years of bookselling," according to PA's Web site. I have to say she's created a great space for browsing and buying. It is pure Prairie in design and color and includes an amazing array of furniture by everyone from Frank Lloyd Wright to Stanley TIgerman. The store often has a small number of decorative objects and architectural artifacts for sale.

Prairie Avenue Bookshop is a rare treasure and well worth a visit. And don't be confused by the address — 418 South Wabash Avenue; the original shop was located in Chicago's Prairie Avenue Historic District.

Prairie Avenue Bookshop interior and exterior images from the store's Web site.

Comments

[Alice Joyce]

A great neighborhood to explore (in my home town). And places like this shop illustrate the often undiscovered assets, troves of them, in a remarkable city. Maybe you can tell I'm missing it at this time of year, in particular! Cheers, Alice

[Lisa at Greeenbow]

I hope I can squeeze in some time here. I can't wait to get there.

[eliz]

Thanks for the heads-up; I will surely check it out. As far as I'm concerned I am not in Chicago just for gardens, and plan to take at least half a day for other sightseeing.