{"id":2282533,"date":"2024-06-24T09:37:02","date_gmt":"2024-06-24T13:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chicagos-bean-reopens-after-lengthy-refurbishment-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-06-24T09:39:37","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T13:39:37","slug":"chicagos-bean-reopens-after-lengthy-refurbishment-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chicagos-bean-reopens-after-lengthy-refurbishment-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago\u2019s \u2018Bean\u2019 reopens after lengthy refurbishment &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fchicagos-bean-reopens-after-lengthy-refurbishment-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2282533&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Chicago&#8217;s iconic Cloud Gate statue, often referred to as the &#8220;Bean,&#8221; reopened on Sunday following a nearly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/disneylands-snow-white-ride-sparks-leftist-outrage-over-lack-of-consent-in-cartoon-kiss\/\" title=\"Disneyland\u2019s \u2018Snow White\u2019 Ride Sparks Leftist Outrage Over \u2018Lack Of Consent\u2019 In Cartoon Kiss\">year-long closure<\/a>. This reopening occurred just in time for the 20th anniversary of Millennium Park next month. The statue and the surrounding area saw improvements starting in August 2023, which initially \u2063caused frustration among locals and tourists \u2062due to the closure. The Cloud Gate statue, commonly \u200dknown as &#8220;The Bean,&#8221; is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-month-into-ukraines-war-with-russia-gravediggers-of-lviv-mourn-the-dead\/\" title=\"A month into Ukraine\u2019s war with Russia, gravediggers of Lviv mourn the dead\">major tourist attraction<\/a> in Chicago, offering an impressive mirror-like, stainless steel surface that reflects the city\u2019s skyline and the clouds above. Designed by British artist \u2064Anish Kapoor, the sculpture has become a beloved symbol of Chicago since its completion in 2006.<\/p>\n<p>The recent closure, needed for \u2063renovations and improvements commenced in August 2023, drew some initial criticism given the statue\u2019s\u2064 role as a centerpiece in Millennium Park and a key feature \u200dfor visitors. Such enhancements often require closing access to maintain safety and allow for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-rescinds-trumps-apprenticeship-plan-by-executive-order\/\" title=\"Biden Rescinds Trump\u2019s Apprenticeship Plan By Executive Order\">high-quality work<\/a>, though this can be disappointing\u200b for those hoping to experience major landmarks, especially during <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/climate-activists-pour-charcoal-in-trevi-fountain-turning-it-black\/\" title=\"Activists turn Trevi Fountain black with charcoal.\">peak tourist seasons<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Now reopened as of Sunday, the Cloud Gate statue anticipated a\u2063 surge\u200b in visitors, particularly with the upcoming 20th anniversary celebrations of Millennium Club.\u2062 Visitors are \u200blikely\u2063 to appreciate the improvements, which can include structural maintenance\u2063 and aesthetic enhancements to\u2062 ensure the\u2064 longevity and continued appeal of the sculpture.<\/p>\n<p>During its closure, \u2062perhaps tourists and residents explored other attractions in the city, \u2063but with The Bean&#8217;s\u200b accessibility restored, it will surely reclaim its status as a favorite photo spot and gathering place in the heart of Chicago. The reopening not only marks a return to normalcy \u200cbut also celebrates\u200b the \u2064ongoing commitment to the preservation and enjoyment of \u2064the city\u2019s cultural landmarks.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_79\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chicago\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Chicago\">Chicago<\/a>\u2018s famous Cloud Gate statue, commonly known as the \u201cBean,\u201d reopened on Sunday after a nearly yearlong closure.<\/p>\n<p>The iconic sculpture in Millennium Park reopened ahead of the park\u2019s 20th anniversary next month after the area underwent various improvements beginning in August 2023. The closure of the Bean frustrated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tourism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"tourists\">tourists<\/a> who have <a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"visited\">visited<\/a> the Windy City in the past year.<\/p>\n<p>The city said the improvements to the park and the area around the Bean included a rebuild of the plaza podium, a waterproofing system, accessibility improvements, and a paver replacement, among other renovations.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>Visitors take photos of the Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as the \u201cBean,\u201d at Millennium Park on Sunday, June 23, 2024. (Anthony Vazquez\/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThis necessary maintenance has ensured the 20-year-old Park\u2019s appearance, visitor experience, and position as the #1 attraction in the Midwest,\u201d the city said in a bulletin announcing the reopening.<\/p>\n<p>Cloud Gate was unveiled in 2004 but was completed in 2006, and it was designed by Anish Kapoor. The structure is made of 168 stainless steel panels, cut using computer technology, and inspired by liquid mercury, according to the Millennium Park Foundation.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Bean is back! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Y1UGAxOtXa\">pic.twitter.com\/Y1UGAxOtXa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 City of Chicago (@chicago) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/chicago\/status\/1804871936528531914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The sculpture is 33 feet high, 42 feet wide, and 66 feet long, and it weighs 110 tons. Since being unveiled, the structure has become one of the city\u2019s top landmarks and tourist destinations.<\/p>\n<p>Millennium Park, where the Bean is located, opened to the public on July 16, 2004, and is slated to hold its 20th-anniversary celebration with concerts and other events from July 18\u201321.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chicago&#8217;s iconic &#8220;Bean,&#8221; officially named Cloud Gate, reopened on Sunday after being closed for nearly a year. The reopening comes just before Millennium Park&#8217;s 20th anniversary. Improvements began in August 2023, enhancing the area. The closure had previously disappointed many tourists visiting the Windy City<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2638,"featured_media":2282534,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/the-bean-cloud-gate-chicago-june-2024.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[18206,4387,32413,5289],"class_list":["post-2282533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-bean","tag-chicago","tag-refurbishment","tag-reopens"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/the-bean-cloud-gate-chicago-june-2024.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2282533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2282533"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2282533\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2282534"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2282533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2282533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2282533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}