Open House Chicago 2021

October in Chicago means Open House Chicago, and this year was no exception. After 2020 only featuring sites visitors could view from the exterior, 2021 allowed a return to touring inside buildings across the city and near suburbs. Being fully vaccinated and missing exploring my city, I went out to see a handful of sites in spite of my anxiety about being around strangers for the first time since the pandemic began. I certainly didn’t regret it! We stopped at sites in Logan Square, Wicker Park, Fulton Market, and Back of the Yards, and the current functions of these buildings ranged from comedy clubs to schools to green business incubators. It felt good to get out, enjoy the city, and take some photographs.

Bar at the Lincoln Lodge in Logan Square.

Performance space in the Lincoln Lodge, Logan Square.

Exterior of Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart, Wicker Park.

Library in Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart, Wicker Park.

Interior of the Herman Miller Showroom in Fulton Market.

Framed work and wallpaper on a wall of the Herman Miller Showroom in Fulton Market

Interior break room space in the Plant, Back of the Yards.

Packinghouse Museum in the Plant, Back of the Yards.

Interior detail of plants in the Plant, Back of the Yards.

Plants and shelving inside Plant Chicago in Back of the Yards.

Interior detail of the ceiling in the Plant Chicago, Back of the Yards.

Open House Chicago 2019

This fall marked another fantastic Open House Chicago weekend. It has been challenging to plan and spend all weekend visiting sites in the last few years, due to grad school. Regardless, I had the chance to visit a number of sites with friends the day I was able to set aside for adventuring. We ended up biking around Garfield Park, the West Loop, Back of the Yards, Bronzeville, and made a pitstop in Chinatown for a snack. The variety of sites - their function, aesthetic, and age - made for an interesting blend, and it felt great to take some photographs for myself! I’m looking forward to next year and exploring more of this amazing city!

Great Lakes Yard was our first stop of the day

Great Lakes Yard was our first stop of the day

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Next, we stopped at Revolution Workshop, which is neighbors with Great Lakes Yard

Next, we stopped at Revolution Workshop, which is neighbors with Great Lakes Yard

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Lab on Lake is a beautiful industrial building turned church, nightclub, homeless shelter, and now event space.

Lab on Lake is a beautiful industrial building turned church, nightclub, homeless shelter, and now event space.

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The Hatchery is a purpose-built hub for food businesses

The Hatchery is a purpose-built hub for food businesses

UE Hall features amazing murals that tell the story of unionization

UE Hall features amazing murals that tell the story of unionization

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Bubbly is a light-industrial small business incubator

Bubbly is a light-industrial small business incubator

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IIT’s Kaplan Institute was our last stop

IIT’s Kaplan Institute was our last stop

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