Architectural photography and urban history converge in Richard Nickel’s Chicago: Photographs of a Lost City, capturing buildings and streetscapes no longer present. The images reveal details of Chicago’s heritage and the complex interplay between preservation and demolition in the mid-20th century.

The book compiles 280 pages of rare black-and-white photographs by Richard Nickel, a preservationist whose work documents significant structures before they were erased. His compositions focus on architectural ornamentation, close-up textures, and contextual views that emphasize the city’s vanishing character.

Published by Cityfiles Press in 2014, this volume assembles a valuable archive of visual evidence for researchers and enthusiasts interested in the evolution of Chicago’s built environment.