The City of Chicago and the Benjamin Marshall Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, will honor architect Benjamin H. Marshall (1874-1944) with the historic renaming of East Lake Shore Drive as Honorary Benjamin Marshall Way. The ceremony, led by Alderman Brian Hopkins, will take place on Wednesday, October 23rd at 5:30 pm at the corner of East Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue. This event coincides with the 150th anniversary of Marshall’s birth, celebrating his lasting impact on Chicago’s architectural landscape.

Marshall, whose visionary designs helped shape the Gold Coast neighborhood, is widely regarded as one of Chicago’s most influential architects. Known for iconic structures such as the Blackstone Hotel, the South Shore Cultural Center, and the Edgewater Beach Hotel (now demolished), Marshall was a celebrity of the Roaring Twenties, renowned for both his opulent Beaux Arts designs and his extravagant lifestyle. His work in Chicago also includes six theaters and residential buildings that reflect his theatrical flair, including his own Wilmette mansion, which featured themed rooms, a stage, and an indoor tropical garden where he hosted Hollywood stars and political elites—including a visit from the future King of England and President Hoover.

Marshall’s architectural legacy is a testament to his versatility, seamlessly blending classical and contemporary styles. His designs span a range of genres, from the Italian Renaissance elegance of the Drake Hotel to the whimsical Spanish Colonial Revival of the Edgewater Beach Apartments, the Parisian neo-classical charm of 1550 North State Parkway, and the Second Empire grandeur of the Blackstone Hotel. His work along Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue showcases his role in shaping modern Chicago, complementing Daniel Burnham’s vision for a city rooted in urban planning and lakefront conservation.

Remarkably, Marshall’s career began when he became a full partner at Marble & Wilson at just 19 years old—a self-taught architectural prodigy. He later founded the firm Marshall & Fox in 1905, alongside MIT graduate Charles E. Fox. Together, they created some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including East Lake Shore Drive, the Edgewater Beach Apartments, and the renowned Drake Hotel.

Living a “Great Gatsby” lifestyle, Marshall’s home and studio in Wilmette became a gathering place for luminaries like Rudolph Valentino, Ethel Barrymore, Charlie Chaplin, and Fred and Adele Astaire. His penchant for lavish entertainment was as legendary as his architectural achievements.

For more information about Benjamin Marshall and his legacy, visit the Benjamin Marshall Society at www.benjaminmarshallsociety.com.

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