Open House Chicago will give residents a look at some of the city’s newest and biggest developments.
The annual architecture festival allows residents to explore some of the city’s most iconic buildings and cultural institutions that are usually not open to the public.
Open House Chicago’s offerings are heavy on history, but there are a number of buildings on this year’s schedule that will appeal to the development-minded resident.
Here are five Open House Chicago tours for fans of development and real estate. The event runs this weekend only, and some tours do require an RSVP.
1. 150 North Riverside
150 North Riverside. (Credit: Nick Ulivieri, featured artist Edyta Stepien, courtesy Open House Chicago)
This gleaming tower built by Riverside Investment & Development on the west bank of the Chicago River debuted to glowing reviews in 2017. The building is almost entirely leased up, according to Crain’s, and Riverside refinanced the property with a new $470 million loan this year.
2. 151 North Franklin
151 N. Franklin. (Credit: Eric Allix Rogers, courtesy Open House Chicago)
One of Downtown’s newest office towers will be open to the public this weekend. The John Buck Company, which delivered the 35-story building this spring, has recently signed Facebook to a giant lease in the tower. Visitors will be able to access the second floor terrace and the rooftop sky garden
3. Old Main Post Office
Chicago Post Office. (Credit: Eric Allix Rogers, courtesy Open House Chicago)
The public will get a rare glimpse inside the overhaul of the1920s-era office structure this weekend. Visitors will be able to check out the long-vacant structure that’s being redeveloped by 601W Companies, which signed Walgreens to a 200,000 square-foot-lease in the space. The reservation-only tour will allow access to the building’s restored lobby.
4. Chicago Board of Trade building
The Chicago Board of Trade. (Credit: Eric Allix Rogers, courtesy Open House Chicago)
This national landmark might not be the trading hotspot it once was, but a redevelopment has brought the Board of Trade building back to relevance. Bought by Chicago-based GlenStar Properties in 2012, the building has since undergone a $30 million upgrade. Visitors will be able to tour the structure’s massive vault, which sat vacant for decades.
5. Top architecture firms
Want to see how the architects behind some of Chicago’s biggest developments work? Some of the city’s top architecture firms are getting in on the Open House Chicago action. Among the firms participating are bKL Architecture, the firm behind a number of projects; Goettsch Partners, who designed 150 North Riverside; HDR Architecture; Gensler; HKS and others.