The USA's Tallest Building

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Chicago can always rely on its single-minded devotion to Modernism, as it was in 1972, to pull it through. In many instances, this is a perjorative. At other times, it is exciting.

The history of New York Skyscrapers vs. Chicago Skyscrapers, since 1950, might be characterized as so:

New York = design leads to money
Chicago = money leads to design leads to money

Tropolism means, well, we're not sure in this case. Sometimes, I would champion that the New York developer's approach, and the culture that supports it, leads to a more direct urban and architectural experience, one less encumbered by architectural theory. On the other hand, the Chicago developer's approach, and the culture that supports it, leads to purer buildings, which are nicer to look at.

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