63rd Street Bathing Pavilion

The 63rd Street Bathing Pavilion is a large bathing structure in Jackson Park that stretches across the sand with four distinctive corner towers topped by pyramidal roofs. The building was designed to accommodate many people at once, with separate areas for different groups and generous covered walkways.

The building was constructed in 1919 as part of the South Park Commission's improvements to public beach facilities and drew design inspiration from classical buildings shown at the 1893 World's Fair. This approach reflected the era's confidence in grand public architecture.

The pavilion shapes the beach's appearance with its neoclassical style that immediately transports visitors back to the early 1900s. The symmetrical columns and spacious loggias created a formal backdrop that organized bathing activities and gave visitors a sense of dignity.

The structure is easily accessible from the beach and offers generous shaded areas that provide relief on hot days. Visitors should note that the site can be quite crowded, especially on weekends and during summer months.

The building was constructed using a special porous concrete that provided durability while allowing for faster and more affordable construction than traditional methods. This material made it possible to build such a large structure economically without sacrificing quality.