We are so lucky to live in a city of luscious, interesting, and sometimes historic buildings.
People in other places generally don't know who built their cities; Chicagoans rattle off names like Wright, Mies van der Rohe, Sullivan, Burnham, Root and Gang as fast as we do the names of the Bears' starting linebackers.
Our city wasn't orange groves or farmland 50 years ago; it's not unusual for us to live in buildings more than a century old.
To celebrate Chicago's buildings -- and to give us all a chance to be lookie-loos for two days -- Chicago Architecture Foundation is sponsoring "Open House Chicago," where 150 buildings citywide will be open to the public, all for free, some including access to areas not usually open to the public. The Uptown sites are:
- Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation, 5029 N Kenmore (per the item we ran several days ago, it is now for sale and could be condo-converted or torn down. If you have any interest in seeing "the last grand Chicago synagogue," this would be the time). Hours: Saturday 12pm-5pm, Sunday 9am-5pm
- 4750 GreenRise Uptown, aka the ICA Building, aka the Institute of Cultural Affairs, 4750 N Sheridan. Hours: Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm
- Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W Lawrence. Hours: Sunday 12pm-5pm
- Bridgeview Bank, 4753 N Broadway. Hours: Lobby: Saturday and Sunday 9am-3pm; Vault: Saturday 9am-12pm. There will be a special musical presentation on Saturday from 12pm-3pm as Jude Mathews performs music scored for clarinet and violin, inspired by the soaring ceiling and ornate decor.
- Chelsea Hotel, now Friendly Towers, 920 W Wilson. Hours: Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm.
- Essanay Studios, now St. Augustine College, 1333-45 W Argyle. Hours: Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm. The Charlie Chaplin film His New Job will be shown throughout the day and light refreshments will be served.
- Green Mill, 4802 N Broadway. Hours: Saturday and Sunday 12pm-5pm.
- Preston Bradley Center, aka The Peoples Church, 941 W Lawrence. Hours: Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
- Sheridan Plaza, 4607 N Sheridan. Hours: Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm.
- People's Music School, 931 W Eastwood. Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm.
- Weiss Hospital's Urban Rooftop Farm, 4646 N Marine. Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm.
Open House Chicago is looking for volunteers who can commit to a four-hour shift at one of the 150+ sites, with plenty of rewards. Click here if you're interested in helping out.
The Chateau isn't open?
ReplyDeleteThe Hotel Chateau? ha, gross...
ReplyDeleteBridgeview Bank = Gorgeous.
Does anyone know if Green Mill is going to have its rumored "secret tunnels" underneath the bar open to the public?
ReplyDeletecweetbeat -- click on the link (highlighted and bolded in blue) for each place and it will give all the information on each location.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the tunnels will not be made available -- we tried. Maybe next year?! Please volunteer!!!
ReplyDeleteNo Uptown Theatre ?? I've always wanted to get a look in there!!
ReplyDelete