Move over ‘East Lake Shore Drive,’ it's ‘Honorary Benjamin Marshall Way’ now!

On Wednesday, October 23 at 5:30 p.m., the City of Chicago and the Benjamin Marshall Society will honor the visionary architect Benjamin Marshall by renaming the historic street of East Lake Shore Drive to ‘Honorary Benjamin Marshall Way.’ The announcement will occur at the corner of East Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue by Alderman Brian Hopkins.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of architect Benjamin Marshall's birth, a significant milestone for both Marshall and the Benjamin Marshall Society, highlighted by a historic naming ceremony that solidifies his legacy as one of Chicago's great architectural and cultural figures. According to a press release by the organization, his work on East Lake Shore Drive played a key role in the development of the Gold Coast neighborhood.

Benjamin Marshall, the architect behind iconic buildings like the Blackstone Hotel, the South Shore Cultural Center, and the Edgewater Beach Hotel (now non-extant), was Chicago’s celebrity architect of the Roaring Twenties.

Known for his lavish lifestyle and elegant Beaux Arts designs, his love of theatrics was evident in both his six Chicago theaters and his own Wilmette mansion, which featured a stage, themed rooms, and a swimming pool set in a tropical garden, as reported in a press release. There, Marshall entertained society elites, Hollywood celebrities, and political figures, including the Prince of Wales and President Hoover. A transformative figure in Chicago’s architectural history, Marshall seamlessly blended classical details with modern functionality in his designs.

Marshall’s architectural legacy showcases an impressive range of classical styles, with his work stretching from the Italian Renaissance grandeur of The Drake Hotel to the pink, whimsical charm of the Spanish Colonial Revival Edgewater Beach Apartments. His portfolio continues with the neo-classical Parisian elegance of 1550 North State Parkway and the Second Empire flair of the Blackstone Hotel on South Michigan Avenue. The Mediterranean Revival grace of the South Shore Cultural Center further underscores his versatility. From Lake Shore Drive’s northern end to South Michigan Avenue, each building is a testament to his artistic vision and versatility.

The architect’s commitment to urban planning aligned with Daniel Burnham’s lakefront conservation efforts, shaping the evolution of modern Chicago, according to the society’s press release. Although his designs reached from New York to Los Angeles, Marshall’s heart and focus always remained with Chicago, leaving a lasting mark on the city’s architectural landscape.

With a legendary social circle, Marshall was known for living the “Great Gatsby” lifestyle. In his day, he often held lavish star-studded parties with notable celebrities like Rudolph Valentino, Ethel Barrymore, Houdini, and Charlie Chaplin.

Learn more about Benjamin Marshall’s architectural legacy on The Benjamin Marshall Society’s website .