Ellis Wainwright and Louis Sullivan - Part 1

Alright, history buffs and architecture aficionados, get ready to dive deep! Welcome to "Can You Dig It," the podcast where we unearth the fascinating stories buried beneath the bricks and mortar of our world.

This week, we're embarking on a two-part journey into the heart of St. Louis, a city that served as a crucible for architectural innovation in the late 19th century. We're setting our sights on two titans: the ambitious businessman, Ellis Wainwright, and the visionary architect, Louis Sullivan.

In this first installment, we'll peel back the layers of their groundbreaking collaboration. Forget the cookie-cutter buildings you see every day. We're talking about a structure that challenged conventions, sparked controversy, and ultimately reshaped the very landscape of commercial architecture: the Wainwright Building.

But this isn't just a dry lecture on steel frames and terra cotta. We're digging into the why behind the design. What drove Wainwright to commission such a radical building? What inspired Sullivan's audacious vision? And how did their personalities, their ambitions, and their clashes shape the final product?

We'll explore the Gilded Age boom, the rise of the skyscraper, and the delicate dance between art and commerce. We'll uncover the secrets hidden in the building's intricate details and reveal the human drama that unfolded during its construction.

If you've ever wondered how buildings tell stories, if you're captivated by the intersection of creativity and industry, or if you simply crave a deeper understanding of the world around you, then "Can You Dig It" is for you.

Join us as we excavate the extraordinary tale of Ellis Wainwright and Louis Sullivan, and discover why their collaboration continues to resonate today. Trust us, you won't want to miss this. So, grab your headphones, settle in, and let's dig in. This is part one, and trust me, you'll be back for part two.