The Benjamin Marshall Society Celebrates Benjamin Marshall’s 150th Birthday

The Benjamin Marshall Society is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the pioneering architect of East Lake Shore Drive, Benjamin H. Marshall. The architect of the Drake Hotel, Marshall was Chicago’s most celebrated architect in the 1920’s, designing many of Chicago’s most iconic buildings.The Benjamin Marshall Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to honoring the treasures and architectural influence of this prolific classical architect.Marshall was a transformative figure in the architectural history of modern Chicago, skillfully blending traditional details with contemporary functionality in his innovative designs.  Remarkably, Marshall became a full-fledged partner at the architectural firm Marble & Wilson at the young age of 19, showcasing his extraordinary self-taught talent. Marshall founded his own firm, Marshall and Fox in 1905, after hiring MIT engineering graduate, Charles E. Fox. Marshall was the visionary behind numerous iconic projects, including the prestigious East Lake Shore Drive, the extant Edgewater Beach Hotel and the still existing Edgewater Beach Apartments at the north end of Lake Shore Drive, the Blackstone Hotel and the historic Drake Hotel. His work spanned from the sophisticated 1550 North State Parkway luxury residence to theelegant South Shore Cultural Center. His dedication to urban planning paralleled Burnham’s vision for lakefront conservation, fundamentally shaping new urban Chicago. While his portfolio extended from grand hotels and residences to theaters from New York to Los Angeles, his focus was on the city of Chicago.  His architectural legacy spans many classical genres, showcasing the Italian Renaissance grandeur of the Drake Hotel, the delightful pink fantasy of the Spanish Colonial Revival Edgewater Beach Apartments, the neo-classical Parisian splendor of the residential high-rise at 1550 North State Parkway, the Second Empire panache of the Blackstone Hotel on South Michigan Avenue, and the Mediterranean Revival elegance of the South Shore Cultural Center. From the north end of Lake Shore Drive to South Michigan Avenue, his work embodies a diverse range of styles, each a testament to his versatility and artistic vision.  Marshall also designed the ill-fated Iroquois Theater, where over 600 lives were lost in a devastating fire in 1903. The tragedy haunted him, influencing his later works, which often featured poured cement for added safety. The incident led to new public building regulations, including the requirement for all public doors to open outward. Known for his "Great Gatsby" lifestyle, Marshall's social circle was filled with celebrities. He hosted lavish parties at his Wilmette studio/home overlooking Lake Michigan, with guests including Rudolph Valentino, the Ziegfeld Follies, Ethel Barrymore, Houdini, Fred and Adele Astaire, and Charlie Chaplin.