building. The idea of truth in architecture aligns with the aesthetic and principles of the international style as taught at the Bauhaus. Although the 860-880 buildings were the first high-rises to look like they were sheathed with a curtain wall, they in fact were not, because the windows were attached to the structure, not to the decorative-only mullions. It was van der Rohe's 900-910 North Lake Shore (aka Esplanade Apartments) just to the north that were the first high-rises to actually have an uninterrupted glass/aluminum curtain wall, although not the first with a curtain wall. Renovations Krueck and Sexton Architects of Chicago were commissioned to renovate the historical towers. Teaming up with them were the preservation architects, Harboe Architects and the forensic and structural analysis firm, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. They were directed to fix prior renovations which took away from the historical accuracy of the towers. Architects were assigned to restore the distorted lighting scheme with original translucent glass, replace the deteriorating travertine plaza, which connects the two towers, and exchange for stones with more historical precision. Recognition The buildings were finished in 1951 and were featured in a 1957 article in Life Magazine on Mies. In 1996 they became the first buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe to receive Chicago Landmark Status. The glass towers have been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. In June 2005, the United States Postal Service included the towers in the commemorative stamp program, Masterworks of Modern Architecture, wherein they were listed as one of the "12 outstanding examples of modern buildings". In celebration of the 2018 Illinois Bicentennial, 860-880 Lake Shore Drive was selected as one of the Illinois 200 Great Places by the American Institute of Architects Illinois component (AIA Illinois). Figures and statistics The twin towers are 26 stories high. The buildings are 46 feet apart. The steel skeletal frames rest on a 21-foot grid and are uniform in their design. The building was originally designed for 860 to contain 90 three bedroom apartments and 880 to hold 158 one bedroom apartments. Many of the units have been combined to enlarge living spaces. Zoned schools Residents are zoned to Chicago Public Schools. Residents are zoned to Ogden School and Wells Community Academy High School. References External links Chicago Landmarks Emporis Article and photos by a+t architecture publishers IIT Mies Society page on 860–880 Lake Shore