There’s no better opportunity to experience Chicago’s architectural diversity than during Open House Chicago. Each October, the event offers Chicagoans and tourists access to more than 150 buildings in over 20 neighborhoods. Whether you’re a fan of minimalist office architecture or a lover of historic skyscrapers, Open House Chicago grants access to some of the city’s most spectacular structures.
Chicago, birthplace of the skyscrapers
A catastrophe has shaped modern Chicago. On October 8, 1871, a devastating fire broke out that raged for three days and destroyed a large part of the city. 18,000 buildings fell victim to the flames, including the magnificent Palmer House, which had opened just a few days earlier. 100,000 people were left homeless. New housing had to be built quickly, and bold architects began building upwards for the first time. At the time, Chicago was best known for the largest slaughterhouse in the world. Thousands of workers slaughtered pigs and cattle on assembly lines. These assembly lines in the Union Stockyards later inspired Henry Ford to create the industrial car assembly line in Detroit.
Interior views of a city: Open House Chicago
The Chicago Architecture Center organizes the annual Open House Chicago (OHC). This free festival offers insights into architecturally, historically and culturally significant places in Chicago. There are also over 40 events taking place over the weekend, including demonstrations, lectures and art performances. Whether stock exchange, central bank, exclusive club or residential building, Open House Chicago provides access to places that are otherwise only known from movies or newspapers. This includes the Central Standard Building, which stands opposite the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. These neoclassical twins guard the main intersection of the financial district. On OHC weekend, visitors enter the huge second-floor banking hall and what was once Chicago’s largest vault.
Stop the queue and stay effective
Downtown Chicago is home to some of the most beautiful Art Deco skyscrapers in the world. Here, where most of the tourists are, interest in the OHC is particularly high. The event is free, but a little preparation pays off. An app from the Chicago Architecture Center shows the participating buildings per district. For the sake of the environment, paper maps are no longer available. Unfortunately, the favorites in the app cannot be saved offline and used with Google Maps, which makes it difficult for international visitors without data roaming to find their way around the street canyons.
In 2024, 38 buildings in downtown Chicago will participate in Open House Chicago, including the iconic Wrigley Building. Built in 1920 on behalf of chewing gum king William Wrigley Jr, it still serves as an office building today. Only employees can access the upper floors from the impressive lobby. But at the OHC, there is a free ticket to the former chewing gum headquarters. But watch out: it is hidden on the OHC list as Perkins and Will, because the design and architecture firm now has its offices there and invites you to enjoy the spectacular view over Michigan Avenue.
About Open House Chicago (OHC)
Since 2011, OHC has been part of the global network of Open House events. In 2024, OHC will open its doors on October 19 and 20. The event invites not only tourists, but especially locals, to explore new neighborhoods, discover Chicago’s architecture and experience the diversity and culture of the communities. Around 2,600 volunteers look after the participating buildings.
Tips about Open House Chicago
- OHC 2024 will take place on October 19 and 20
- Set favorites, because you can’t manage more than 8 to 10 buildings per day
- My OHC
- There are no standardized opening hours, so check the profile of the participating buildings to see which building is open and for how long
- Some buildings only take part in the OHC on one of two days
- Be at the relevant building at least 30 minutes before the end, otherwise you may miss the last timeslot
All year round to admire: Aqua Tower and The St. Regis
In the middle of the 20th century, the skyscrapers in Chicago became increasingly uniform. The cold and sterile glass fronts dominated by rectangles and designed by male architects prevailed. The Willis Tower from 1974 set another record and was the tallest building in the world for a while at 442 meters. Today, the chunky building attracts many visitors who gaze down into the dizzying depths from the Skydeck on the 103rd floor.
It was not until 2009, after protests by Chicagoans against another unimaginative colossus in a prime location, that the first skyscraper designed by a woman was built. The architect Jeanne Gang proved that things can be done differently. Her Aqua Tower looks as if an ocean wave is gliding over the façade. In 2020, Jeanne Gang surpassed her own record: the St Regis Tower, 365 meters high, was completed according to her plans. The three shimmering blue-green towers have a graceful appearance, and two empty floors in the highest tower allow the wind to pass through, which reduces the pressure on the building.
The female gaze: From architect Jeanne Gang to photographer Vivian Maier
A closer look at the Aqua Tower is worthwhile for another reason. It lies somewhat hidden, just as the photographer Vivian Maier did all her life. Vivian Maier is the great unknown in the history of photography. Her great photographic art was only discovered after her death. She photographed obsessively for almost five decades. But no one got to see these photos, not even she herself, because she didn’t have the money to have the films developed. Ten of her pictures from Chicago in the 1950s and 1960s hang in the lobby of the Radisson Blu Aqua in the Aqua Tower. Absolutely worth seeing, especially because there is still no permanent exhibition of Vivian Maier’s photographs in Chicago. The search for Vivian Maier and the meticulous research of her biographer Ann Marks have brought numerous pieces of the puzzle of Vivian Maier’s problematic life circumstances to light. At the end of 2023, the book The Life of Vivian Maier. The nanny with the camera. Click here for our book review A life through the viewfinder.
To see all year round
Open House Chicago offers very special insights into the Windy City once a year. Exciting sightseeing on the Chicago Riverwalk and on the Chicago Pedway is possible at any time. More good news for all foodies: No one has to eat at fast food chains in Chicago. Three food tips that combine food with culture and history From fictional sandwich joints to the Queen of Chicago.
The search was supported by Choose Chicago
