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Open House Chicago 2016: 20 must-see sites

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Chicago is world-renowned for its architectural history and its contribution to the skilled crafts of designing and building skyscrapers, and our city's famous skyline draws people from around the world who want to see our groundbreaking buildings up close and in person. And to help locals and tourists try to cram as many building visits and tours into as short of a time as possible, every autumn the Chicago Architecture Foundation hosts its annual Open House Chicago exhibition which offers visitors access to dozens of famous and historic buildings.

For this year's Open House Chicago, which takes place this coming weekend, the Chicago Architecture Foundation is opening up 200 buildings across the Chicago area for anyone to check out during the weekend. From stately mansions built during Chicago's gilded age, to midcentury skyscrapers, to the offices of famous architects, there are more than enough places to visit to keep everyone occupied for the entire weekend. And while there are dozens of fascinating places to visit, we've narrowed the list down to a handful of sites that can't be missed.

This year's Open House Chicago will include various sites throughout the near suburbs, but in order to keep the list concise, we're focusing only on sites located within the city. However, there are certainly some really neat suburban locations to check out this year, particularly the Dearborn Observatory on Northwestern University's campus in Evanston as well as the brand new Vantage apartment tower in Oak Park.

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Colvin House

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The Colvin House has an interesting story, and visitors will be able to get a first look at the home since it was restored. The Prairie style home designed by noted architect George Maher hit the market early last year, but will soon become a co-working and event space.

Edgewater Beach Apartments

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If you've ever wondered about the big pink residential tower along Lake Shore Drive, here's your chance to check it out. The landmark Edgewater Beach Hotel building, along with its Beaux-Arts lobby and indoor pool will be open to Open House Chicago visitors on Saturday.

Carl Shurz High School

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Carl Shurz High School, located on the city's northwest side is one of the grandest Prairie School designs ever constructed. Designed by Dwight Perkins and completed in 1910, the school is a must-see for those interested in Chicago architecture. For Open House Chicago, the school is granting visitors access to its auditorium and library—locations which are generally off limits to visitors.

Elks National Memorial and Headquarters

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The Elks National Memorial is one of those architectural gems that is hidden in plain view. Located adjacent to Lincoln Park (the park), the round building was built in the 1920s to honor the Order of Elks members who fought and died in World War I. It features one of the most elaborate and ornate interiors in the city.

Graham Foundation

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Located in a historic Gold Coast mansion, the Graham Foundation regularly hosts exhibitions, public programs, and provides grant funding for the advancement of architecture and the fine arts. It will be open to OHC visitors on both Saturday and Sunday.

Xavier Apartments

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The new Xavier Apartments development on Division Street is an interesting one for various reasons. It is perhaps an early look at what we can expect to see along the massive former Cabrini-Green site. The building, which takes its name from Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, is big on sustainable design and also features 20% of some form of affordable units.

Studio Gang Architects

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Similar to other high profile architecture firms that will be opening their doors to the public this weekend, Studio Gang Architects will allow visitors a look into their office located in the old Polish National Alliance building next to the Polish Triangle. The Studio Gang office will be open during the afternoons on both Saturday and Sunday.

St. John Cantius Parish

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Recently described as the "most beautiful church in America," St. John Cantius is a great example of the "Polish Cathedral" style of church architecture found throughout Chicago. The church was threatened with demolition in the late '80s, but fortunately is alive and well today.

The Poetry Foundation

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If you're looking to check out more recent architectural gems, the Poetry Foundation's HQ in River North is definitely worth a visit. John Ronan, the building's architect, was most recently a finalist for the Obama Presidential Center project for Jackson Park.

Lake Point Tower

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Lake Point Tower is very representative of the Miesian style of design, but feels more elegant and timeless than some other Mies-inspired works. Not only will visitors get a look through the building, but the tower's rooftop garden designed by Alfred Caldwell will also be open this weekend.

LondonHouse

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The old London Guarantee & Accident Building reopened this year as the 452-room LondonHouse hotel. Highlights include the new 22-story glass addition built between the London Guarantee Building and Mather Tower and the hotel's and the restored ornamental elevator lobby in the original building.

Aon Center

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Chicago's third tallest building will be open to visitors for both days this weekend. Visitors will not only get a close look at the midcentury skyscraper's flashy lobby, but will be taken up to the tower's 71st floor to get a bird's-eye view of downtown Chicago.

Railway Exchange Building

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Open House Chicago visitors will be able to knock out several birds with one stone by visiting the historic Railway Exchange Building on Michigan Avenue. The building is home to the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the architecture firm Goettsch Partners, Stantec (formerly VOA Associates), and the Chicago office of global architecture heavyweight SOM. The Chicago Architecture Foundation's popular Chicago model occupies much of the building's atrium, while Goettsch Partners gets great views and heaps of natural sunlight at the top of the building.

Glessner House Museum

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The Glessner House comes from Chicago's gilded age, but it's not exactly similar to many of the other grand homes built during the time. The almost fortress-like home was designed by prominent architect Henry Hobson Richardson, who is credited for creating and popularizing the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style.

Clarke House Museum

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Built in 1836, the Clarke House is the oldest surviving house in Chicago's original boundary lines. The home features a strong colonial style, which is more commonly found in older east coast cities. The home has operated as a museum for the last 30 years but will be open to OHC visitors both this coming Saturday and Sunday.

Nichols Tower at Homan Square

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Sometimes referred to as the "original Sears Tower," the recently restored and reopened Nichols Tower will be open to visitors on Saturday. Once a part of Chicago's famous Sears, Roebuck and Company as a warehouse building, the tower now serves as a community center and event space.

City Hyde Park

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This striking new addition to the Hyde Park street scape comes from the Chicago-based Studio Gang Architects. And interestingly enough, the development is just one of several new Studio Gang-designed buildings that have recently opened in or are planned for the Hyde Park neighborhood.

Yale Building

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The Yale Building is one of the highlights for this year's Open House Chicago. Located in the Englewood neighborhood, the Yale Building is a Richardsonian-Romanesque apartment complex that was built for visitors coming to Chicago for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. It features a large, open atrium and sprawling glass arcade that fills the building with natural light. It will be open to visitors on both Saturday and Sunday.

Shrine of Christ the King

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This landmark church designed by Henry Schlacks will be open to Open House Chicago visitors just a year after surviving a devastating fire that nearly destroyed the historic building. The church, which just hosted a rally and ceremonial return of its Christ the Infant King statue, is currently undergoing an extensive restoration.

New Regal Theater

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Built in the late 1920s, the New Regal Theater (originally the Avalon Theater) was characteristic of the grand theaters built during the time. The ornate theater has mostly sat vacant over the last decade, but will be open to visitors both Saturday and Sunday this weekend.

Colvin House

The Colvin House has an interesting story, and visitors will be able to get a first look at the home since it was restored. The Prairie style home designed by noted architect George Maher hit the market early last year, but will soon become a co-working and event space.

Edgewater Beach Apartments

If you've ever wondered about the big pink residential tower along Lake Shore Drive, here's your chance to check it out. The landmark Edgewater Beach Hotel building, along with its Beaux-Arts lobby and indoor pool will be open to Open House Chicago visitors on Saturday.

Carl Shurz High School

Carl Shurz High School, located on the city's northwest side is one of the grandest Prairie School designs ever constructed. Designed by Dwight Perkins and completed in 1910, the school is a must-see for those interested in Chicago architecture. For Open House Chicago, the school is granting visitors access to its auditorium and library—locations which are generally off limits to visitors.

Elks National Memorial and Headquarters

The Elks National Memorial is one of those architectural gems that is hidden in plain view. Located adjacent to Lincoln Park (the park), the round building was built in the 1920s to honor the Order of Elks members who fought and died in World War I. It features one of the most elaborate and ornate interiors in the city.

Graham Foundation

Located in a historic Gold Coast mansion, the Graham Foundation regularly hosts exhibitions, public programs, and provides grant funding for the advancement of architecture and the fine arts. It will be open to OHC visitors on both Saturday and Sunday.

Xavier Apartments

The new Xavier Apartments development on Division Street is an interesting one for various reasons. It is perhaps an early look at what we can expect to see along the massive former Cabrini-Green site. The building, which takes its name from Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, is big on sustainable design and also features 20% of some form of affordable units.

Studio Gang Architects

Similar to other high profile architecture firms that will be opening their doors to the public this weekend, Studio Gang Architects will allow visitors a look into their office located in the old Polish National Alliance building next to the Polish Triangle. The Studio Gang office will be open during the afternoons on both Saturday and Sunday.

St. John Cantius Parish

Recently described as the "most beautiful church in America," St. John Cantius is a great example of the "Polish Cathedral" style of church architecture found throughout Chicago. The church was threatened with demolition in the late '80s, but fortunately is alive and well today.

The Poetry Foundation

If you're looking to check out more recent architectural gems, the Poetry Foundation's HQ in River North is definitely worth a visit. John Ronan, the building's architect, was most recently a finalist for the Obama Presidential Center project for Jackson Park.

Lake Point Tower

Lake Point Tower is very representative of the Miesian style of design, but feels more elegant and timeless than some other Mies-inspired works. Not only will visitors get a look through the building, but the tower's rooftop garden designed by Alfred Caldwell will also be open this weekend.

LondonHouse

The old London Guarantee & Accident Building reopened this year as the 452-room LondonHouse hotel. Highlights include the new 22-story glass addition built between the London Guarantee Building and Mather Tower and the hotel's and the restored ornamental elevator lobby in the original building.

Aon Center

Chicago's third tallest building will be open to visitors for both days this weekend. Visitors will not only get a close look at the midcentury skyscraper's flashy lobby, but will be taken up to the tower's 71st floor to get a bird's-eye view of downtown Chicago.

Railway Exchange Building

Open House Chicago visitors will be able to knock out several birds with one stone by visiting the historic Railway Exchange Building on Michigan Avenue. The building is home to the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the architecture firm Goettsch Partners, Stantec (formerly VOA Associates), and the Chicago office of global architecture heavyweight SOM. The Chicago Architecture Foundation's popular Chicago model occupies much of the building's atrium, while Goettsch Partners gets great views and heaps of natural sunlight at the top of the building.

Glessner House Museum

The Glessner House comes from Chicago's gilded age, but it's not exactly similar to many of the other grand homes built during the time. The almost fortress-like home was designed by prominent architect Henry Hobson Richardson, who is credited for creating and popularizing the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style.

Clarke House Museum

Built in 1836, the Clarke House is the oldest surviving house in Chicago's original boundary lines. The home features a strong colonial style, which is more commonly found in older east coast cities. The home has operated as a museum for the last 30 years but will be open to OHC visitors both this coming Saturday and Sunday.

Nichols Tower at Homan Square

Sometimes referred to as the "original Sears Tower," the recently restored and reopened Nichols Tower will be open to visitors on Saturday. Once a part of Chicago's famous Sears, Roebuck and Company as a warehouse building, the tower now serves as a community center and event space.

City Hyde Park

This striking new addition to the Hyde Park street scape comes from the Chicago-based Studio Gang Architects. And interestingly enough, the development is just one of several new Studio Gang-designed buildings that have recently opened in or are planned for the Hyde Park neighborhood.

Yale Building

The Yale Building is one of the highlights for this year's Open House Chicago. Located in the Englewood neighborhood, the Yale Building is a Richardsonian-Romanesque apartment complex that was built for visitors coming to Chicago for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. It features a large, open atrium and sprawling glass arcade that fills the building with natural light. It will be open to visitors on both Saturday and Sunday.

Shrine of Christ the King

This landmark church designed by Henry Schlacks will be open to Open House Chicago visitors just a year after surviving a devastating fire that nearly destroyed the historic building. The church, which just hosted a rally and ceremonial return of its Christ the Infant King statue, is currently undergoing an extensive restoration.

New Regal Theater

Built in the late 1920s, the New Regal Theater (originally the Avalon Theater) was characteristic of the grand theaters built during the time. The ornate theater has mostly sat vacant over the last decade, but will be open to visitors both Saturday and Sunday this weekend.