Since 1945, Ebony has covered African-American issues, personalities, and interests. The November 1964 issue included articles on jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, and Marina City. Life In The Round followed six African-Americans living at Marina City, including Realtor Albert Gaskin. Marina City, said the article, was a “radical departure from conventional apartment living.” The ultra-modern housing was especially suited for “childless couples and single persons” earning $5,000 to $10,000 per year, the equivalent of $38,000 to $76,000 in 2014. (Below) Reading on the 45th floor balcony of her studio apartment, grade school teacher Geraldine Johnson “gets the benefit of outdoor living without the bother of ground-level dirt and noise.”

While race was not seen as a problem for African-American residents at Marina City, the article did tell the remarkable story of Albert Gaskin, then 30 years old, a real estate broker who lived at Marina City but commuted every day to suburban Evanston. Before moving to Marina City, Gaskin, says the article, “had sought similar housing in Evanston and was turned down because of his race.” One time when he was in the laundry room, a woman came in and when she saw Gaskin, she said, “You have a lot of machines to take care of, don’t you?” (Right) Cover of November 1964 issue of Ebony.

Albert Gaskin (1934-2010) was one of the first African-American Realtors on the north side of Chicago. He initially focused on selling homes to African-Americans in Evanston but over time expanded his clientele throughout the North Shore. In the early 1980s, Gaskin served on the board of directors of the North Shore Real Estate Association. At its peak, his real estate office in Evanston employed 13 sales associates.

(Left) 20th floor laundry room in 1964 with coin-operated machines. Albert Gaskin is in the foreground.

(Right) Restaurant on south side of commercial platform. The skating rink would have been to the left. In background at right is the Chicago River. Gaskin recalled for the 1964 Ebony article that a steak dinner for 12 people at the restaurant had recently cost the group $45, or what would be $344 in 2014.

(Above) Lobby of Marina City Bank in 1964. Papers and money were sent back and forth through pneumatic tubes. The teller could be viewed on a closed-circuit “Teleview Teller” (left) near the tunnel to the office building.

(Above) Marina City resident Geraldine Johnson admires paintings in an art shop on the concourse level of the commercial platform. (Right) Gaskin on steps leading from Wacker Drive to the Chicago River.

Gaskin (above) at the grocery store and Johnson (left) at a nearby liquor store.

The article offered other interesting details about Marina City in 1964...

• 1,100 people lived at Marina City.
• About one-fourth of the tenants did not own a car.
• The average rent was $175 per month, equal to $1,340 in 2014.
• The tenant turnover rate was about one percent per year, or 11 people.
• Marina City’s management charged the public a 25-cent admission fee (equal to $1.91 in 2014) to see the model apartment but that, notes the article, could have been to keep crowds away. According to Ebony, “more than 12,000 persons a month come to gawk.”

Read the Ebony article