Chicago is often said to be a city of neighborhoods. It’s only logical, then, that for its second Open House Chicago, a free event that provides “backstage” access to more than 150 locations Saturday and Sunday, the Chicago Architecture Foundation increased its reach to areas outside the Loop, flush with distinctive places usually off-limits to the public.
The shift, one of the minor changes installed after the program’s 2011 debut, mirrors the foundation’s redoubled focus on spaces that stand out due to their importance in a given community.
“Last year we learned the community-focus model was very successful,” says Bastiaan Bouma, managing director for Open House Chicago and the Chicago Architecture Foundation. “We were initially unsure about whether participants would visit neighborhood areas with the same enthusiasm of the downtown sites. Yet many residents came out and toured sites in the communities, validating community engagement.”
Apparently, Chicagoans are curious about their own backyards. Bouma cites 80 percent of last year’s estimated 25,000-30,000 participants hailed from Chicagoland. Half that number chose to check out neighborhood spots. Spurred by the local interest, Open House expanded the number of participating neighborhoods to 13 from six. New additions include Uptown, Chinatown, Humboldt Park and Pilsen. Hyde Park and Black Metropolis/Greater Bronzeville, part of 2011’s lineup, feature broader offerings.
“We have a great lineup that spans eras, styles and uses. We didn’t want 50 churches. We wanted diversity that captures the full flavor of a location,” explains Bouma. He says social and cultural characteristics, along with unique aspects, were primary criteria in selecting spots that will spotlight normally restricted and uncommonly viewed areas. “People love to see residential buildings, so we’ve included buildings originally used as residences that have been repurposed as cultural institutions in neighborhoods like Gold Coast and Prairie District.”
Not that downtown gets short shrift. For many, towering skyscrapers and historic edifices remain the symbolic face of the city. Nearly five dozen Loop destinations testify to Chicago’s worldwide reputation as an architectural mecca.
“Open House is a revelation in terms of seeing how global a city Chicago has become,” states Bouma, noting that 2011’s event drew guests from 54 countries as well as all 50 states.
Of course, some of the most iconic properties capture the greatest interest. This year’s inclusion of the Murphy/Jahn architectural firm in the former Jewelers Building allows a rare chance to see the structure’s cupola, which accommodates only a few individuals at once. To manage time constraints and maximize convenience, sites in each area are clustered within walking and/or biking distance. Still, because of expected lines and the no-reservation policy, an itinerary is key, particularly for anyone intent on heading to multiple locations.
Evoking a strategy similar to picking bands to see at an outdoor music festival, Bouma encourages people to select a region and hit all its available sites. He’s especially enthusiastic about lively albeit underrepresented neighborhoods.
“Explore a community outside of downtown that you have a sense about but with which you’re not really familiar,” he advises. “In Pilsen, Thalia Hall is a restaurant/theater/apartment complex from the Bohemian past that illustrates how a building serves communities as they change over time. Uptown has the Green Mill, Riviera Theatre and Aragon Ballroom. It’s also home to what was reportedly once the largest active synagogue (Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation) in the city. This might be the first and last time available for public touring.”
Beyond the wealth of better- and lesser-known options, making such exclusivity accessible remains the event’s strength.
Open House has a mobile site for smartphones and improved its main website at openhousechicago.org. Typically, buildings will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but check the website for details.