Residential life begins on the 20th floor and continues through the 61st floor, with mechanical systems above. Parking is valet only on the garage levels, which are separately operated for hourly and monthly use. All garage attendants must hold special licenses to run the elevators, which are modeled on Europe’s paternoster lifts (continuous loop systems where cars circulate up and down without stopping) making Marina Towers the only building in the Midwest with this rare feature.


The concourse level, managed by the commercial owner, hosts small businesses including a grocery market, salon, and real estate office, though not every storefront is filled. In one memorable example of cooperation, the commercial owner paid to relocate the condo’s mailroom to the concourse so they could reclaim the original mail room space for the restaurant — funding the move themselves, to the association’s delight.


The marina is managed by Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales, with dock access shared by residents and outside boaters. At times, condo projects intersect directly with commercial uses, as when a recent re-piping project required work to pass through the House of Blues. Even the logistics of moving in or delivering a boat involve a “secret ramp” that allows access between the street and dock levels.


Inside the towers, daily life mixes practicality with charm. The unusually large unit placards on every floor hide openings for electrical and phone lines. Each placard bears a celestial map showing the planets as they appeared when construction began, along with credits to Marina City’s visionaries: labor leader William McFetridge, planner Charles Swibel, and architect Goldberg himself. McFetridge was at different times the head of the AFL-CIO and SEIU as well as the Chicago Park District while Swibel ran the Chicago Housing Authority.


Not surprisingly, residents take pride in living inside one of Chicago’s architectural icons. Many are drawn by the history and architecture itself. A highly active social committee organizes rooftop movie nights, taking advantage of the


expansive newly renovated decks that were restored to Goldberg’s original color scheme. Unit layouts reflect Goldberg’s “petal” design, a term that Goldberg preferred over the “corn cob” nickname. Studio units occupy a single petal, one-bedrooms span one and a half petals, and two- bedrooms extend across two petals. Over time, some units have been combined to create larger homes. East-facing units on the 32nd and 33rd tiers command the highest resale values thanks to their remarkably unobstructed views of both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. When Marina City opened, the closest structure was a parking lot across State Street. That site eventually became AMA Plaza (formerly the IBM Building at 330 N. Wabash), but otherwise, most nearby buildings are several blocks away.


The association has worked hard to preserve both the building’s integrity and its spirit of affordability. The condominium manager maintains an impressive archive of original sales materials, brochures, pop-ups from the 1960s marketing campaign, and even a 50th- anniversary book (published in 2012.) Today, the board continues to honor Goldberg’s vision of affordable, urban living while adapting to the realities of a transformed downtown neighborhood. That stewardship also extends to the river itself. Marina Towers has partnered with organizations such as Friends of the Chicago River, a group that promotes responsible use of the waterfront, underscoring the community’s role not only as a Chicago landmark but also as a civic partner.


As CAI celebrates 50 Years of Excellence, Marina Towers stands as a fitting symbol of such a milestone moment. For more than half a century, this community has embodied the values of association living: adaptability, collaboration, and stewardship of a shared vision in a complex, high-profile environment. Excellence is not a single achievement but an ongoing commitment. Its history mirrors the same spirit CAI has championed for five decades — communities thriving together through care, creativity, resilience, and thoughtful planning.


52 | COMMON INTEREST®


• Winter 2025 • A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter


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