From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 40s
Lee Bey's Open House Chicago must-see sights
Chicago's free Open House Chicago event showcases 200+ hidden architectural gems this weekend.
In brief
Chicago's free Open House Chicago event showcases 200+ hidden architectural gems this weekend. Chicago's Open House Chicago event reveals 200+ normally closed buildings and spaces for public viewing this weekend. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Open House Chicago returns
Chicago's annual fall event returns this weekend with free access to over 200 city buildings normally closed to the public.
“The free two-day event, sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Center, lets folk see the interiors of more than 200 of the city’s best places and spaces, a great deal of which are normally closed to the public”
New sites added
19 new sites join this year's event including the Sears Sunken Garden in North Lawndale.
“Among my newcomer favorites is the nearly 2-acre Sears Sunken Garden in North Lawndale, which is undergoing a large-scale renovation at 3330 W. Arthington St”
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The museum offers free Open House visits on Sunday with complimentary tickets required for entry.
“Be warned: The museum is only offering free Open House visits on Sunday, and you’ll need a complimentary ticket to get in”
Avalon Regal Theater
The 99-year-old theater received a $250,000 city grant for stabilization work.
“Earlier this month, the 99-year-old venue received a $250,000 city grant to help fund critical stabilization work”
Canopy architecture
Canopy's $34 million affordable housing project nears completion for Native American renters.
“Their $34 million affordable housing project, Jigzibik, at 2909 W. Irving Park Road, marketed to Native American renters and incorporating the indigenous populace’s history and customs in the building’s design, nears completion”
Charles H. Shaw Technology and Learning Center
The center repurposed a century-old coal-fired powerhouse into a high school.
“This is an intriguing adaptive reuse project at 931 S. Homan Ave. that turned a century-old brick coal-fired powerhouse on the former Sears, Roebuck & Co. campus into a high school”
Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist
The circular modernist church features an Aeolian-Skinner organ with pipes beautiful enough to pass for sculpture.
“Go inside and you’ll see why the building, 55 E. Wacker Drive, is among Weese’s best work with its circular seating, dramatic ceiling and an Aeolian-Skinner organ with pipes beautiful enough to pass for sculpture”
5040-60 N. Marine Drive Condominiums
The eight-story building combines Art Deco and Art Moderne styles with a courtyard fountain.
“The eight-story building, constructed in 1939, looks like Art Deco and its successor Art Moderne shook hands with each other”
Open House Chicago event
The event runs from October 29 to 30, 2026 with 200+ sites available for public viewing.
“Open House Chicago, the city’s annual fall spectacle, returns this weekend”
Sponsored by Chicago Architecture Center
The Chicago Architecture Center sponsors the free two-day event for public access to city buildings.
“The free two-day event, sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Center, lets folk see the interiors of more than 200 of the city’s best places and spaces, a great deal of which are normally closed to the public”
Full list available online
Visit openhousechicago.org for the complete list of 2026 Open House sites.
“To see a full list of the 2026 Open House sites, visit openhousechicago.org”
Event details
Open House Chicago is held annually in Chicago with free access to over 200 city buildings.
“Now in its 16th year, the free two-day event, sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Center, lets folk see the interiors of more than 200 of the city’s best places and spaces, a great deal of which are normally closed to the public”
What matters most
Chicago's Open House Chicago event reveals 200+ normally closed buildings and spaces for public viewing this weekend.
