Photography enthusiasts can also take part in a photo competition hosted by the CAC, with submissions due by October 27. Winning entries might be featured in a future CAC exhibition.If the sheer number of sites feels overwhelming, don't worry! We've curated a list of ten new and unique locations that you won’t want to miss—ranging from private clubs to revitalized historic buildings. And be sure to check Geoffrey Baer’s picks from last year for more ideas.Make sure to visit the Open House website or app for site hours and accessibility information, as some locations are only available for part of the weekend.10 Must-See New Spots for Open House Chicago 2024
Al-Sadiq Mosque
4448 S. Wabash Ave.
Tucked away in Bronzeville, this historic mosque traces its roots to 1922, making it one of the oldest operating mosques in the U.S. The original structure arose following the arrival of an Ahmadi Muslim missionary, who fostered connections with Black communities in Chicago. The building as it stands today dates back to 1994.Astor Club
24 E. Goethe St.
Step inside this exclusive dining club, a nod to the iconic Maxim’s de Paris restaurant that flourished in the 1960s and 70s. Maxim’s was a creation of Nancy Goldberg, wife of famed architect Bertrand Goldberg, who also designed Marina City. Normally open only to members, the Astor Club is a hidden treasure of Art Nouveau design.Double Door
1050 W. Wilson Ave.
The historic Wilson Avenue Theater, originally opened in 1909 as a vaudeville venue, later transformed into a bank. Now, Double Door is preparing to revive it as a performance space. Construction is set to begin soon, so this weekend offers a rare opportunity to explore the building before its restoration.Greater Tabernacle Cathedral
11300 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
Designed by Solon S. Beman in the Pullman district’s signature red-brick style, this church once housed Barack Obama’s community organizing office. The building, which held its final Catholic mass in 2008, became home to the Greater Tabernacle Cathedral in 2016.Ramova Theatre
3520 S. Halsted St.
This Bridgeport icon reopened in 2023 after decades of abandonment. Originally opened in 1929, the Ramova is now a dynamic cultural venue with a brewery and a revamped Ramova Grill, thanks to the efforts of Kevin Hickey and developers Emily and Tyler Nevius.SCB (Solomon Cordwell Buenz)
330 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 2500
Get a glimpse inside an architectural studio on the 25th floor of AMA Plaza, designed by legendary modernist Mies van der Rohe. Beyond an insider look at SCB's design work, you'll also enjoy sweeping views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.Steppenwolf Theatre
1646 N. Halsted St.
The new wing of Steppenwolf Theatre, completed in 2021 by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, elevates the experience of live performance. While the building is usually accessible only during shows, Open House offers guided tours of the impressive facility.The Roof Crop
1516 W. Carroll Ave.
This former manufacturing site on the Near West Side has blossomed into a center for urban farming, with rooftop gardens, greenhouses, and an on-site restaurant called Maxwells Trading. It’s a vibrant example of adaptive reuse in Chicago.University Club of Chicago
76 E. Monroe St.
Explore the breathtaking Cathedral Hall, a Neo-Gothic masterpiece inside the exclusive University Club. Located on the building’s ninth floor, the hall features stained glass windows, ornate ceilings, and a setting straight out of the early 20th century.Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation (Chess Records)
2120 S. Michigan Ave.
Once home to Chess Records, this studio recorded legends like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Chuck Berry. Now a non-profit named for blues great Willie Dixon, it offers tours of the space where the soundtracks of early rock and blues were born.
Al-Sadiq Mosque
4448 S. Wabash Ave.
Tucked away in Bronzeville, this historic mosque traces its roots to 1922, making it one of the oldest operating mosques in the U.S. The original structure arose following the arrival of an Ahmadi Muslim missionary, who fostered connections with Black communities in Chicago. The building as it stands today dates back to 1994.Astor Club
24 E. Goethe St.
Step inside this exclusive dining club, a nod to the iconic Maxim’s de Paris restaurant that flourished in the 1960s and 70s. Maxim’s was a creation of Nancy Goldberg, wife of famed architect Bertrand Goldberg, who also designed Marina City. Normally open only to members, the Astor Club is a hidden treasure of Art Nouveau design.Double Door
1050 W. Wilson Ave.
The historic Wilson Avenue Theater, originally opened in 1909 as a vaudeville venue, later transformed into a bank. Now, Double Door is preparing to revive it as a performance space. Construction is set to begin soon, so this weekend offers a rare opportunity to explore the building before its restoration.Greater Tabernacle Cathedral
11300 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
Designed by Solon S. Beman in the Pullman district’s signature red-brick style, this church once housed Barack Obama’s community organizing office. The building, which held its final Catholic mass in 2008, became home to the Greater Tabernacle Cathedral in 2016.Ramova Theatre
3520 S. Halsted St.
This Bridgeport icon reopened in 2023 after decades of abandonment. Originally opened in 1929, the Ramova is now a dynamic cultural venue with a brewery and a revamped Ramova Grill, thanks to the efforts of Kevin Hickey and developers Emily and Tyler Nevius.SCB (Solomon Cordwell Buenz)
330 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 2500
Get a glimpse inside an architectural studio on the 25th floor of AMA Plaza, designed by legendary modernist Mies van der Rohe. Beyond an insider look at SCB's design work, you'll also enjoy sweeping views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.Steppenwolf Theatre
1646 N. Halsted St.
The new wing of Steppenwolf Theatre, completed in 2021 by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, elevates the experience of live performance. While the building is usually accessible only during shows, Open House offers guided tours of the impressive facility.The Roof Crop
1516 W. Carroll Ave.
This former manufacturing site on the Near West Side has blossomed into a center for urban farming, with rooftop gardens, greenhouses, and an on-site restaurant called Maxwells Trading. It’s a vibrant example of adaptive reuse in Chicago.University Club of Chicago
76 E. Monroe St.
Explore the breathtaking Cathedral Hall, a Neo-Gothic masterpiece inside the exclusive University Club. Located on the building’s ninth floor, the hall features stained glass windows, ornate ceilings, and a setting straight out of the early 20th century.Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation (Chess Records)
2120 S. Michigan Ave.
Once home to Chess Records, this studio recorded legends like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Chuck Berry. Now a non-profit named for blues great Willie Dixon, it offers tours of the space where the soundtracks of early rock and blues were born.
