Lakeview's Popular Giraffe Sculptures Removed By Owner
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Metallic sculptures of two giraffes and a goat have been removed from a street in Lakeview after more than three decades.
WBBM's Steve Miller reports the owner of the sculptures on Elaine Place decided to sell the buildings he owned there, but the buyer didn't want to purchase the sculptures too.
Milton Zale said it simply was time to sell his property in Lakeview, but the buyer of his buildings didn't want to pay for the insurance on the sculptures. You see, people like to climb them.
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David Kinney has lived on Elaine Place for 12 years, and said, "It's surprising that nobody has fallen, because if you watch these people - really intoxicated - try to get to the top, to get their perfect picture, with their head next to the giraffe's head."
The sculptures had become far more recognizable than the street where they sat for 35 years.
"Not a lot of people have recognized the street name," Kinney said. "But if you say, 'I live where the giraffes are,' then everybody can relate to that."
Zale said the sculptures are being restored in a studio.
Zale said he would be willing to sell them, hoping they can go back to Elaine Place.
"They're expensive," Zale said.
