(b Brooklyn, NY, 1 Oct 1853; d Chicago, IL, 23
April 1914).
American architect. Although famous for his model industrial towns
of Pullman (1880–95), IL, and Ivorydale (1883–8), OH, he contributed
substantially to the first-generation achievement of the CHICAGO
SCHOOL of architecture in the USA. Apprenticed to the firm of Upjohn
& Upjohn, New York, he practised primarily in the Midwest, executing
a large and important range of commercial, ecclesiastic and domestic
projects, in a variety of styles. Beman designed the Mines and
Mining and Merchant Tailors pavilions for the World’s Columbian
Exposition (Chicago, 1893), a crucial turning-point in his career.
Thereafter, he abandoned his former playful eclecticism and took on
the sobriety and unity of the Renaissance and classical styles.
Grand Central Station, Chicago Ill. 1890
Grand Central Station was designed by architect Solon
Spencer Beman
for the Wisconsin Central Railroad, and was completed by the Chicago
The Pioneer Building (since the Pioneer
Press doesn't operate here anymore),
this utilitarian masterpiece was designed by Solon Beman and completed
in 1889.
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