Under a partnership between the City of Chicago and the Benjamin Marshall Society, East Lakeshore Drive in Streeterville will become Honorary Benjamin Marshall Way.
Benjamin H. Marshall (1874-1944) was a co-founder of the architectural firm Marshall and Fox, and played an instrumental role in designing some of Chicago’s most iconic modern buildings.
Marshall’s contributions to Chicago’s skyline include the Drake Hotel, The South Shore Cultural Center, the extant Edgewater Beach Hotel, and East Lakeshore Drive. Notably, Marshall’s design of East Lakeshore Drive spurred the development of the larger Gold Coast neighborhood.
Marshall was also known as a sort of “Great Gatsby” figure amongst Chicago high society during his heyday. According to the Benjamin Marshall Society, the architect famously threw lavish parties at his North Shore home and hosted the likes of Harry Houdini, Fred Astaire, and Charlie Chaplin.
2024 marks the visionary’s 150th birthday and the Benjamin Marshall Society aims to celebrate his legacy by permanently cementing Marshall’s name within the fabric of Chicago.
The city will mark the historic naming in a ceremony on Wednesday, October 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of East Lakeshore Drive and Michigan Avenue. The Benjamin Marshall Society invites the public to attend and celebrate the momentous occasion!