FIREPLACE at 2 NORTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA
by Angela Lovell,
Emma Covode
and Shama Kipfer-Tessler
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by Angela Lovell, Emma Covode and Shama Kipfer-Tessler
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2 North Riverside Plaza, originally known as the Chicago Daily News Building, was completed in 1929 and designed by the Chicago architectural firm Holabird & Root. This Art Deco icon later became known as Riverside Plaza and, in July 2026, it was officially designated a Chicago Historical Landmark. - learn more here
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Learn more about how the artists chose the imagery and the history of each piece of the fireplace - here
NEED HI-RES
DETAILS
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view from the river
2 North Riverside was the home of the Chicago Daily News from 1929 to 1960. Seen here, boats delivered large rolls of paper through the river docks for printing in the buildings basement. You can still see the same view and original architecture of the plaza on the bridge today overlooking the Chicago Water Taxi stop.
See the original 1929 photographs along with the current view today - here.
Artwork by Emma Covode, 2026
Source imagery courtesy of the Chicago History Museum
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limestone studies
Almost directly behind the fireplace, outside in the plaza you can look up and see 30 original limestone panels, featuring varying allegorical characters depicting traditional theater and literary motifs of drama, comedy, and epic poetry.
Working on this project has opened an unexpected world of hidden details and beautiful stonework peppering Chicago’s landscape.
Artwork by Emma Covode, 2026
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Daily News paper packing room
Artwork by Emma Covode, 2026
Source imagery courtesy of the Chicago History Museum
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ceramic vase
NEED HI RES ACTUAL INSTALL PHOTO
Artwork by Shama Kipfer-Tessler, 2026
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mail man, 1929
Artwork by Emma Covode, 2026
Source imagery courtesy of the Chicago History Museum
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architectural elements
Scattered throughout the fireplace you can see these tiles that depict limestone samples from the original construction. These two pieces sat in the Victor Lawson Memorial Room when it was newly the Chicago Daily News building.
Artwork by Angela Lovell, 2026
Imagery courtesy of the Chicago History Museum
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art deco reliefs
Artwork by Angela Lovell, 2026
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CERAMIC BUILD OUTS
Custom ceramic shelves and vase help bring together all of the separate elements and allow for the piece to continue evolving over time with changing flowers and different ornaments on the shelves.
See more about her process and work - here.
Artwork by Shama Kipfer-Tessler, 2026
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holabird & root
The Art Deco skyscraper was designed by Holabird & Root and completed in 1929 as the home of the Chicago Daily News, helping to establish Chicago as a center for media and architecture. It was the first office building in the city built above railroad tracks and the first to have a public plaza. The architects are memorialized here by the artist, almost a century after the completion of the building.
Artwork by Emma Covode, 2026
Source imagery courtesy of the Chicago History Museum
2 North Riverside was the home of the Chicago Daily News from 1929 to 1960. Seen here, boats delivered large rolls of paper through the river docks for printing in the buildings basement. You can still see the same view and original architecture of the Plaza on the bridge today overlooking the Chicago Water Taxi Stop.
Below, see the original photograph and progress shots along with the view today.
Painting by Emma Covode, 2026
Source imagery courtesy of the Chicago History Museum
Early painting sketch on tile
the artists
angela lovell
We count on this visionary to define strategic priorities, allocate resources responsibly, and ensure every decision reinforces long-term value creation.
Artist 
emma covode
Chicago based artist. Follow her on instagram here
Artist 
Artist shama kipfer-tessler
Shama Kipfer-Tessler works in Chicago, designing handcrafted tools for the home. She sews quilts from recycled cotton, and fabricates handmade production pottery.
Check out her website here