The Chicago Architecture Center’s (CAC) Open House Chicago festival is back, bigger than ever. The free, two-day event will feature more than 200 architectural sites across the city, with 30 new additions that promise to offer a deeper look into the city’s remarkable built environment.
From historic landmarks and sacred spaces to creative studios and private residences, the festival continues to showcase why Chicago remains one of the world’s most celebrated architectural capitals.
Exploring Chicago’s Architectural Diversity
Open House Chicago provides rare access to sites that reveal the city’s rich architectural tapestry. Visitors can explore Bertrand Goldberg’s Hilliard Tower Apartments in Chinatown, the late producer Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio studio in Avondale, and the Aspire Center in Austin, among other new highlights.
This initiative celebrates the city’s ongoing architectural evolution—where historic preservation meets modern innovation.
Visitor Experience
Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, the event encourages exploration across multiple neighborhoods, with meeting hubs in Ravenswood, Bridgeport, and North Lawndale.
Each hub will feature restroom facilities and CAC representatives available to assist visitors with directions and site information.
To make the most of the experience, organizers recommend mapping routes in advance, as lines can get long, especially at newly added sites. CAC members and volunteers will benefit from a priority pass granting them faster entry.
Creative Opportunities for Photographers
Architecture enthusiasts can turn their weekend exploration into an artistic pursuit.
Participants are invited to submit up to five photographs from the festival for a chance to be featured in a future CAC exhibition. Categories include interior, exterior, detail, black and white, and people and buildings.
This initiative reflects CAC’s commitment to merging community engagement with artistic expression—turning visitors into storytellers of Chicago’s urban beauty.
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