Less than two years after the temporary installation of the photo-op favorite Wings of Mexico bronze sculpture in the Plaza of the Americas on N. Michigan in Chicago, the long-standing collaboration between the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and GNP Realty Partners will enable the sculpture to remain, where it attracts significant pedestrian admirers—especially during the busy summer tourist season. Wings of Mexico is a pair of human-sized angel wings positioned so an individual can pose for a photo or selfie, creating a visual of themself as an angel with wings.
NAR maintains the city-owned Plaza of the Americas, adjacent to its headquarters building at 430 N. Michigan Ave. GNP Realty serves as the property manager for the Realtor® Building, overseeing exterior maintenance. The class A office building also serves as home to GNP’s family of companies.
The artwork is by internationally renowned Mexican artist Jorge Marín. It was unveiled on May 5 (Cinco de Mayo) in 2022 as part of a traveling public art installation to pay tribute to Chicago as a diverse and welcoming city. The Sun Times reports that an analysis of 2020 census data reveals that about 1 in every 5 Chicagoans is Mexican—representing the majority of those who identify as Hispanic or Latino in Chicago.
After generating extensive interest from the public—locals and visitors alike—GNP approached NAR about purchasing the sculpture to make it a permanent installation. The trade group agreed, adding Chicago to the short list of global cities with a replica of the original Wings on permanent display near the Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City’s most historic avenue.
“GNP is pleased to have played a role in bringing Wings to Chicago,” says John Gagliardo, executive vice president, development & construction for GNP and founder and managing partner of The One Companies. “Our team takes pride in maintaining the Plaza of the Americas, and helping bring pedestrian traffic to the south end of the Magnificent Mile.
GNP is a member of the Magnificent Mile Association. In 2022, Gagliardo was appointed by then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot as commissioner for the Michigan Avenue Special Service Area, assisting in overseeing the district and recommending annual services and initiatives to improve the city.
Watch a 35-second video of the “Wings of Mexico” Chicago 2022 installation>
