Chicago Architecture Center announces complete slate of 50+
Open House Chicago 2020 offerings, outdoors and online

(Quiz at bottom of post)

Open House Chicago is turning 10 this year. This annual showcase of Chicago architecture by Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is part of the worldwide family of 46 Open House events, inaugurated by Open House London in 1992.

The 2020 OHC festival has been expanded to 10 days this year (October 16−25, 2020.) in celebration of its 10th anniversary.

This year’s event has been reconfigured due to the pandemic. Although people will not be able to go inside the buildings that are on the Open House sites, they will be treated to more than 50 online programs and trails for self-guided, outdoor exploration, highlighting more than 100 unique sites.

This reimagined OHC framework—designed for individuals, families and small groups that have isolated together—will highlight and promote visitation of specific areas, encouraging foot traffic and participants to patronize local businesses while learning more about the unique histories and stories of these featured areas.

The Neighborhoods

OHC 2020 sites, trails and online programs are concentrated in 22 focus areas: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Back of the Yards and New City, Beverly, Bronzeville, the Loop, Chinatown, Englewood, Evanston and Rogers Park, Humboldt Park, Hyde Park and Kenwood, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Chicago’s Near North Side and Near West Side, North Lawndale, Oak Park, Pilsen, Pullman and Roseland, South Shore, Wicker Park and Woodlawn.

Recent additions to OHC 2020 offerings include a Neighborhood Trail through Logan Square curated and narrated by Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and First Lady Amy Eshleman, a Neighborhood Trail outlining the Phase II development of Englewood Square through the City of Chicago’s INVEST South/West initiative, a Virtual Family Trail featuring seven sites that engage children through architecture and design.

There is so much to learn and see at the 2020 OHC whether you visit in person or online.

The comprehensive OHC website and state-of-the-art OHC app offer photos, seminars, history and more.

A Chicago Quiz

Before you leave: See how many of the sites below that you recognize without reading the captions:

The Howard Theatre in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. Photo by Zachary Whittenburg. OHC 2020

Historic row houses in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood. Photo by Zachary Whittenburg. OHC 2020 –

Central Park Theater in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. Photo by Zachary Whittenburg. OHC 2020

Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Creative Commons photo

The Flat Iron Arts Building in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Photo by Zachary Whittenburg. OHC 2020

The Humboldt Building in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. Photo by Zachary Whittenburg. OHC 2020

Mural in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. Photo by Zachary Whittenburg. OHC 2020

Bronzeville Renaissance Mural Project in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Photo courtesy of ComEd. OHC 2020

Plant Chicago in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers. Open House Chicago 2020

The Den Theatre in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers. Open House Chicago 2020

The Forum in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Photo by Zachary Whittenburg. OHC 2020

The historic John Raap residence on Beer Baron Row in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Photo by Zachary Whittenburg. OHC 2020

St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church on Chicago’s Near West Side. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers. OHC 2020

The Kehilath Anshe Ma’arav (KAM) Isaiah Israel synagogue in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers. OHC 2020

Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago’s Homan Square neighborhood. Photo by Zachary Whittenburg. OHC 2020

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