The Idea Thunderdome 2.0

Stalking 37 signals

October 15th, 2006 Edit

Okay, so the other I was reading one of my favs for blogs, signals vs. noise by 37 signals (who makes killer apps like Basecamp and Campfire, when I noticed that they mentioned Bari foods and how it is so close to them… And then I realized that I work RIGHT by Bari foods as well. So I started a little investigation.

Basically without my knowledge I have been working less than 3 blocks away from one of the hottest internet companies in Chicago and maybe the country. This is the same company that took money from Jeff Bezos from Amazon.

Recently when I switched jobs, one of the downfalls of my new jobs was not working downtown. For my old job if I got downtown say 20 minutes early for work, I would admire the architecture of downtown a bit. With my new job, there really was not a whole lot to admire. It is mostly new condo constructions littered with factories and the occasionaly coffee shop. My walk to work includes passing over a freeway and the largest establishment nearby is a gas station. So I was definately surprised when I found out that the hottest internet company in the city, except for maybe feedburner, was in my hood. I think I even parked in front of their building from time to time.

So I grabbed my digital and snapped a few shots.

Here are a couple of shots of the areas surrounding 37 signals HQ. You get a real feeling of the neighborhood, it is very “paper street” from fight club.

I have always wanted to call this phone number to see how much:

And finally the building where their HQ are located.

There is absolutely no reference to the company at all on the building. Which is SO cool to me. That one of the hottest internet companies, who praises itself on its minimalistic measures, works in such a industrialized portion of the city. No flash, no sizzle, just great views like these:

Makes me think of one of my old companies, Boundless Gallery, which was housed in a former utility building with absolutely no external reference to its existance.

Very nice.

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