Have you ever walked by a building and thought “I wonder what that looks like inside?” Maybe it’s a vintage building in your neighborhood or that new, glitzy high-rise downtown. Well, now’s your chance to take a peek behind closed doors. Open House Chicago — the city’s free annual architecture festival — is back on Saturday, Oct. 14 and Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.
During this weekend event, you’ll have the opportunity to explore more than 170 unique sites across 20 Chicago neighborhoods, including historic landmarks, architectural marvels, and soaring skyscrapers, some of which are rarely open to the public. Here are just 13 unique and interesting sites to get you started this year.
Edgewater Beach Apartments
Known as the “Pink Palace”, this lakefront gem looks like it’s straight from a Wes Anderson film. The Edgewater Beach Apartments, which began construction in 1918, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to step inside and explore the lobby, arcade, mezzanine, pool terrace, and garden.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: closed
This site is not wheelchair accessible.
Guild Row in Avondale
In the hip Avondale neighborhood, Guild Row is a hybrid co-working space and social club. The riverfront venue will be hosting an Octoberfest event during Open House Chicago weekend with food and beverages available for purchase. The building’s architect will also be onsite and offering tours.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: closed
This site is wheelchair accessible.
Tip: Play a few rounds of bowling on the vintage lanes at Avondale Bowl, a nearby Open House Chicago site.
SOS Children’s Villages Illinois in Auburn Gresham
This award-winning building was designed by the acclaimed Studio Gang in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood specifically for SOS Children’s Villages Illinois, a non-profit organization that serves at-risk youth and children in foster care. The main lobby and upstairs event space will be open to visitors.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: closed
This site is wheelchair accessible.
Chicago Printmakers Collaborative in Lincoln Square
Founded more than 30 years ago, the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative is the city’s longest-running independent printmaking workshop. Visitors can watch Chicago artists demonstrate etching and screenprinting, and even have the opportunity to make something themselves to take home.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This site is wheelchair accessible.
Tip: Head to the nearby KOVAL Distillery tasting room for samples of their specialty spirits during Open House.
Chicago Architecture Center in the Loop
The home base for Open House Chicago, the Chicago Architecture Center is located in a soaring skyscraper on the downtown riverfront. Exhibits dive into Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods, design and development, leading architects, and architectural innovation. All guests will receive free admission to the Center, including all exhibit spaces, throughout the weekend.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This site is wheelchair accessible.
Kehrein Center for the Arts in Austin
The Kehrein Center for the Arts is a vital cultural hub in the Austin neighborhood. The space underwent a $5 million renovation to restore the long-shuttered auditorium that was originally built in 1954. Visitors are welcome to take guided or self-guided tours and to stay for a free concert on Saturday evening.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
This site is wheelchair accessible.
KAM Isaiah Israel in Hyde Park
The oldest Jewish congregation in the Midwest, KAM (Kehilath Anshe Maarav) Isaiah Israel is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. Come admire the synagogue’s Byzantine-inspired architecture, explore the sanctuary and the more modern chapel, and learn about the congregation’s important role in Jewish history.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This site is wheelchair accessible.
Tip: Hyde Park is filled with beautiful houses of worship that are welcoming visitors during Open House.
Walt Disney House in Hermosa
Built by his father in 1891, this modest house in the Hermosa neighborhood is the birthplace of Walter Elias Disney. Take the rare opportunity to see inside this private residence, with small-group guided tours happening every 45 minutes.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
This site is not wheelchair accessible.
Tip: In the neighborhood, Right Bee Cider is a cidery located inside the former Schwinn bicycle factory and an official Open House Chicago site.
Buddhist Temple of Chicago in Uptown
Among the oldest Buddhist temples in Chicago, this unique space was modeled after the Rokkakudo Temple in Kyoto, Japan. Visitors can look forward to a guided tour of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago‘s unique features, along with information on Japanese-American history and Buddhist art.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
This site is wheelchair accessible.
Tip: Check out the nearby Haitian American Museum of Chicago, another unique Open House Chicago site.
Kimball Arts Center in Humboldt Park
This creative hub in Humboldt Park is located next to the popular 606 trail. Check out this season’s Artist-in-Residency work on display in the Kimball Arts Center along with many studios and maker spaces. Guests can also grab coffee by Dayglow and Nordic-inspired food and beer by Orkenoy.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This site is wheelchair accessible.
Avalon Regal Theater in Chatham
Don’t miss the opportunity to tour this stunning Chicago landmark building, normally not open to the public. Boasting an elaborate Moorish Revival interior, the ornate Avalon Regal Theater was originally built in 1927 and has seen famed performers like Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington take the stage. Embark on a self-guided tour to see all the stunning details, like themed mosaics and a bejeweled ceiling.
Tip: Afterward, check out Artist on the Nine, which will be set up as a gallery for Open House Chicago visitors.
Chicago Art Department in Pilsen
The Chicago Art Department is an artist-run nonprofit, an integral part of Pilsen’s creative community, that offers studio and gallery space that helps artists grow their craft. During Open House, meet artists in their studio space and peruse exhibits in the main gallery.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This site is wheelchair accessible.
Tip: Check out other artistic spaces in the area during Open House Chicago, such as OPEN Center for the Arts in Little Village.
The Forum in Bronzeville
Narrowly saved from demolition in 2011, The Forum is a storied cultural institution in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood. The space, which has been vacant for 30 years, has hosted leading performers (like Nat King Cole and Muddy Waters), prominent social events, and some of the era’s most important political meetings. Come take a self-guided tour and enjoy musical performances.
Tip: After exploring The Forum, head to lunch at Boxville. This colorful retail center and street food market is also an official Open House Chicago site.
Fine Arts Building in the Loop
The Fine Arts Building, one of the nation’s oldest artist communities, will celebrate its 125th anniversary this year. The historic space in the Loop, originally a carriage assembly plant, now houses studios, shops, theaters, and art galleries. Explore all 10 floors, learn about famous past tenants, and admire the stunning interior.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This site is wheelchair accessible.
Tip: There are more than 35 Open House Chicago sites in the Loop to explore, so make sure to check out a few more while you’re in the area!
