Into the New Millennium and Out of the Ordinary the Development of Millennium Park

Abstract

Millennium Park is Chicago's newest park and cultural arena. An entirely privately funded public space, the park is an intricate combination of art, architecture, landscape design, and performing art spaces. It is fitting that one objective of the park was to celebrate the arrival of the new millennium, for, in creating Millennium Park, the city of Chicago has truly surpassed the examples that came before. This article examines the collection of art, architecture, and green space that makes up the revolutionary public space, Millennium Park. The history, present, and future of Millennium Park are described in conjunction with an examination of each individual element of the collection. These elements include the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, BP Bridge, Lurie Garden, Cloud Gate, Boeing Galleries, Crown Fountain, McCormick Tribune Plaza, Wrigley Square, Millennium Monument, Exelon Pavilions, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, and McDonald's Cycle Center.