Historical Note

Pritzker Pavilion

Name:	Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion
Designer:	Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc., Los Angeles, California
Developmental Manager:	U.S. Equities Realty, LLC, Chicago, Illinois
General Contractor:	Walsh Construction Company, Chicago, Illinois
Structural Engineer:	Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago, Illinois
Sound System:	The Talaske Group, Oak Park, Illinois
Dimensions:	Headdress: 100 feet tall Great Lawn: 625 by 325 feet
Capacity:	11,000 [4,000 seated plus 7,000 on Great Lawn]
Cost:	$60 million [includes $15 million from the Pritzker Foundation]
Completed	2004

B.P. Bridge

Name:	B.P. Pedestrian Bridge
Designer:	Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc., Los Angeles, California
General Contractor:	Walsh Construction Company, Chicago, Illinois
Structural Engineer:	Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago, Illinois
Dimensions:	925 feet
Cost:	$14.5 million [includes $5m from B.P.]

The Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion was designed by Frank Gehry and is named in honor of Jay Pritzker, the late husband of Cindy Pritzker, who were co-founders of the prestigious award, the Pritzker Architecture Prize.

The Pritzker Pavilion, the outdoor concert venue in Millennium Park, built in typical Frank Gehry style, is a flamboyant structure that has been critically acclaimed across the world. The stage can accommodate 120 musicians and a choral terrace holds up to 150 performers. The backstage area is shared with the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Four thousand spectators can watch performances from fixed seats in front of the stage and an additional 7,000 can listen from the Great Lawn behind. Those on the Lawn can enjoy the state-of-the-art sound system via an overhead trellis of crisscrossing steel pipes.

In designing the Pritzker Pavilion, Frank Gehry took pains to ensure the venue worked well for musical performances and that those on the Great Lawn felt drawn into the event. With this in mind, the proscenium, or "headdress" is not only stunning visually, it's a key component of the cutting-edge sound system. The sound is directed out from the stage by the steel ribbons that billow outwards and upwards. Similarly, the steel flanking the sides of the stage helps distribute the sound out to the audience. The overhead speakers attached to the trellis carry the high-quality sound to those on the Great Lawn, which is twice the size of a football field. The stage can be closed off by two sliding glass doors, each 30 by 50 feet creating an indoor space in winter.

The B.P. Bridge is Frank Gehry's first bridge actually constructed. Designed after the Pritzker Pavilion, the B.P. Bridge is 925 feet long, more than 10 times the width of Columbus Drive, the street it spans. The length of the bridge, and the serpentine shape of it, creates a very gentle slope which in turn allows equal access to people who are physically challenged, the elderly, and those with strollers. This was an important aspect of the bridge's overall design and one which Ed Uhlir was particularly concerned with. The bridge itself acts as a sound barrier, blocking out traffic noise from busy Columbus Drive and Lake Shore Drive beyond, especially important during performances.

For more information on the Pritzker Pavilion and the B.P. Bridge, including the philanthropy of the Pritzker Foundation, researchers should consult Timothy J. Gilfoyle's Millennium Park: Creating a Chicago Landmark, published in Chicago, Illinois in 2006. F548.65.M55G55 2006.

Box 1 Folder	1	Presentation board, photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, and great lawn, looking north, early design, c. 1999. 8" x 12". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
	2	Presentation board, photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, and great lawn, looking northeast, early design, c. 1999. 11 ½" x 8". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
	3	Presentation board, photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, and great lawn, looking west, early design, c. 1999. 12" x 8". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
	4	Presentation board, photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, great lawn, and bridge, looking north, c. 1999. 13" x 7". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
	5	Presentation board, photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, great lawn, and bridge, looking northwest, c. 1999. 13" x 7". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
	6	Presentation board, photograph of model showing pavilion and stage, c. 1999. 13" x 7". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
	7	Presentation board, photograph of model showing pavilion and stage, looking northwest through the trellis, c. 1999. 13" x 7". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
	8	Presentation board, photograph of model showing light treatment on pavilion and stage, c. 1999. 13" x 7". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
	9	Presentation board, photograph of model showing light treatment on pavilion and stage, looking northwest through trellis, c. 1999. 13" x 7". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
	10	Presentation board, photograph of model showing pavilion, trellis, and bridge, looking west, c. 1999. 13" x 7". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D22		Presentation board, Millennium Park Project, Site Plan, November 3, 1999, scale 1/50" = 1' 0", Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D23		Presentation board, Millennium Park Project, Site Plan, November 3, 1999, scale 1/32" = 1' 0". Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36".Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D24		Presentation board, Millennium Park Project, Partial Sections, November 3, 1999, Axonometric View, Centerline Section, scale 1/16" = 1' 0". Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D25		Presentation board, Millennium Park Project, Partial Section at Music Pavilion Elevation, Transverse Section Through Platform, November 3, 1999. Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D26		Presentation board, Millennium Park Project, Centerline Section, November 3, 1999, scale ¼" =1' 0". Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D27		Presentation board, Millennium Park Project, Platform Level Plan, El. +27'-0", November 3, 1999, scale 3/8" = 1' 0". [Shows orchestra area and choral terrace.] Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D28		Presentation board, Millennium Park Project, Platform Level Plan, El. +27'-0", November 3, 1999, scale 1/16" = 1' 0". [Shows pavilion and lawn.] Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 66" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D29		Presentation board, Millennium Park Project, Chorus Level Plan, El. +37'-0", November 3, 1999, scale 1/16" = 1' 0". Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 64 ½" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D32		Presentation board, digital rendering, black and white, c. 1999. Perspective looking north-west, showing pavilion and skyline. 62" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D33		Presentation board, digital rendering, black and white, c. 1999. Perspective looking west, showing pavilion and skyline. 62" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D34		Presentation board, digital rendering, black and white, c. 1999. Perspective looking north, showing pavilion and surrounding buildings. 58 ½" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D35		Presentation board, digital rendering, black and white, c. 1999. Perspective looking down through the trellis, showing seated area and stage. 56" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D104		Presentation board, digital rendering, black and white, c. 1999. Perspective, bird's-eye view looking west, showing bridge in foreground, pavilion beyond and Cloud Gate sculpture at rear. 55" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D36		Presentation board, digital rendering, black and white, c. 1999. Perspective looking west, showing pavilion and partial trellis. 55" x 36". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D30		Presentation board, Millennium Park Project, Site Plan, Sheet Number A1-1.0, c. 2000. [From construction documents?] Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 41 ½" x 32". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D31		Presentation board, Millennium Park Project, Partial Sections at Music Pavilion, Sheet Number A3-3.1, c. 2000. [From construction documents?] Frank O. Gehry & Associates Inc. 41 ½" x 32". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s D37		Presentation board, photograph of pavilion model, color, c. 2000. 42" x 32". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s A43		Presentation board, two photographs of pavilion with color light treatment and stage during a performance, c. 2004. 16 ½" X 10". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s A44		Presentation board, two photographs of BP bridge with light treatments by Lightswitch, c. 2004. 16 ½" x 10". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s A45		Presentation board, digital rendering of Pritzker Pavilion with overlay of painted trees, n.d. 11" x 17". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s B17		Presentation board, images and site plans showing the Pritzker Pavilion and BP Bridge, n.d. 24" x 15". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s B18		Plan of BP Bridge showing planting plan, n.d. 16" x 20". R Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s C8		Presentation board, photograph of model showing stage and light treatment on pavilion, n.d. 30" x 22". Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
o/s C9		Presentation board, site plan and photograph montages of 4 different views of the landing site of the BP Bridge, Ed Uhlir, n.d. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.

Audio-Visual

Photographs

1.1	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, 28 September 1999. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.2	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, 28 September 1999. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.3	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, 28 September 1999. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.4	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, 28 September 1999. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.5	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, 28 September 1999. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.6	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, 28 September 1999. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.7	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, 28 September 1999. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.8	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.9	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.10	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.11	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.12	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.13	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.14	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.15	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.16	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.17	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.18	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.19	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.20	Color, digital photograph of the pavilion model, c. 2000. Photographer: McDonough Associates, Inc. Research copies may be made, for any other reproductions permission must be obtained from the Artist.
1.21	Color photograph of exterior of Frank Gehry and Associates Inc. offices in Los Angeles, California, 1 July 1999. Photographer: Ed Uhlir.
1.22	Color photograph of model in Frank Gehry's studio in Los Angeles, California, 1 July 1999. Photographer: Ed Uhlir.
1.23	Color photograph, staff at Frank Gehry's studio in Los Angeles, California, Ed Uhlir, Rick Talaske, 1 July 1999. Photographer: Ed Uhlir.
1.24	Color photograph, staff at Frank Gehry's studio in Los Angeles, California, Robert Shook, Craig Webb, 1 July 1999. Photographer: Ed Uhlir.
1.25	Color photograph, staff at Frank Gehry's studio in Los Angeles, California, Craig Webb, Rick Talaske, 1 July 1999. Photographer: Ed Uhlir.
1.26	Color photograph, staff at Frank Gehry's studio in Los Angeles, California, Robert Shook, Lyn Pylon, 1 July 1999. Photographer: Ed Uhlir.

VHS Video Cassettes

Pritzker 1

Frank Gehry and Millennium Park Model. WBBM-TV (CBS) Chicago News 2 at 10 report and interview with Frank Gehry talking about the design of the band shell for Millennium Park, by Katherine Bliss. 24 July 2000. 3 minutes, 43 seconds.