I first became aware of an area of the South Loop newly named Printers Row in 1977. A group of Architects I had been working with asked me to join them in the purchase of an old loft building there called the Rowe Building. The place, a former book bindery, was abandoned but had a lot of potential, and was at a bargain price, even though I didn’t really have the money. Hinds Schroeder and Whittaker was the firm I was working with, and George Hinds lent me half of the down payment and I borrowed the other half from the Hyde Park Bank.
I had the whole second floor, 2800 square feet with huge windows on the East and West sides. My brother, Bob, an architect, designed my space with a suite of darkrooms, work and shooting spaces and a bedroom.
As I became familiar with the neighborhood and its residents, I began to photograph everyone I met. Many were old timers who had shops there and worked in the printing industry and some were the artists and other various characters who were willing to live in a somewhat sketchy area.
It slowly evolved into a wonderful neighborhood and a great place to live and work.
Ron Gordon
March, 2024
