The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) will present nearly 50 online programs and trails for self-guided biking, driving and walking during the 10th annual Open House Chicago (OHC) festival. Reconfigured for outdoor and remote attendance, OHS will run from Fri., Oct. 16 through Sun., Oct. 25.
OHC offerings highlight more than 20 Chicago neighborhoods and two suburbs with an intentional focus on, and engagement with, areas and corridors prioritized by the City of Chicago’s Invest South/West initiative. Additional OHC 2020 focus areas are Chicago’s Loop, Near North Side and Near West Side plus Beverly, Chinatown, Evanston and Rogers Park, Hyde Park and Kenwood, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Oak Park, Pilsen, Wicker Park and Woodlawn.
Visitors to each OHC 2020 area will be supported in self-guided exploration incluuding the Neighborhood Trails, using free resources available online at openhousechicago.org, as well as through the free OHC 2020 app for Android and Apple mobile devices.
Explorations cover a variety of themes, buildings and sites of interest in each neighborhood, plus related OHC online programs aligned with the festival’s neighborhoods and themes, featuring guest presenters and representatives from more than 50 local organizations.
Local OHC Sites
Neighborhood Trail: Beverly focuses on the Prairie School. Participants can take an hour or more to explore the two-mile route showcasing the rich variety of homes on and around the ridge. While there are unique homes and vibrant communities along all six miles of the ridge, this trail focuses on a short stretch featuring grand homes by influential architects—and a collection of Prairie Style exemplars to rival Oak Park.
Visitors will also be welcome to visit the Givins Beverly Castle, 10244 S. Longwood Dr., to take photos, and a new short film about the restoration of the Castle turrets by Errol Magidson (filmmaker for “Chicago’s Only Castle”) will be available through the OHC app as well as on the Beverly Unitarian Church YouTube.
Trinity United Methodist Church, 9848 S. Winchester, and Christ the King Church, 9235 S. Hamilton, will also participate as outdoor OHC stops.
Unless otherwise noted, OHC neighborhood trails are easy to intermediate bicycle rides or walks designed to last an hour or less.
Advance registration will be required for most of the OHC free programs and events at openhousechicago.org/programs and via the mobile app.
