The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), formerly the Chicago Architecture Foundation, is a nonprofit o Tours, exhibitions, programs, and events for all ages.
Visit CAC at 111 E. Wacker Dr. to view our 1,000-building scale model of Chicago, shop in our award-winning store, or participate in a fun LEGO® building event in our ArcelorMittal Design Studio. Our CAC River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises was recently voted the #1 boat tour in the nation by USA Today. Choose from 85 tours by boat, walking, bus, or even L train, including the CAC Rive
r Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises. Tours depart daily and are led by CAC's expert docent guides. Learn more at architecture.org
Operating as usual
The Blackstone is a prime example of a turn-of-the-century luxury hotel along the famed historic street wall of Michigan Avenue. It is named after Timothy Blackstone, president of the Chicago and Alton Railroad, whose mansion once stood on the hotel’s site. After years of neglect, the hotel reopened in 2008 following a $112-million showcase restoration.
📸 : courtesy Blackstone Hotel
http://bit.ly/424dWgC
GirlsBuild! Day introduces girls ages 11-17 to the fields of architecture, design, and engineering. During this inspiring day, girls will build, learn and network with professionals from more than 15 different STEM organizations.
Register now! Event is March 25, 10am at the CAC.
https://bit.ly/3SES3QW
On St. Patrick's Day even our buildings wear ☘️ green ☘️
📸 : barrybutler9
🎉 IT'S BOAT SEASON! 🎉
Tickets for the #1 tour in Chicago, the CAC River Cruise aboard are now on sale! In 2023, we're celebrating 30 years of cruising the Chicago River together, showing off our beautiful city.
🎯 Weekends sell out fast!
http://bit.ly/3itObSt
#1 boat tour in North America according to USA Today Readers' Choice 2021 Awards! Looking for the ultimate…
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Chicago Sláinte!
📸:
You see them throughout several Chicago neighborhoods: vacant lots where homes used to be. But what can be built in those empty lots that would inspire people to return to the city?
That's where CAC and the City of Chicago's ongoing Come Home Initiative comes in. Forty-two architecture firms have submitted proposals for filling these lots. Visit the link in bio to peruse all 42 submissions and give your feedback.
Following this exhibition, a jury of industry professionals will select design teams to advance to phase three of the competition, which will see local emerging developers paired with each winning firm to construct the case study homes on lots provided by the City of Chicago.
https://bit.ly/3J9sfcr
📸: 1st slide, Dirk Denison Architects; 2nd slide, Tatiana Bilbao; 3rd slide, Kevin Daly Architects; 4th slide, von Reese Associates
Chicago is rife with beautiful historic buildings. But how much do you really know about these architectural treasures? Learn about these beauties, including the Carbide and Carbon building (pictured here) on our Historic Treasures of Chicago's Golden Age tour.
http://bit.ly/3qJKoCY
When we think of stained glass windows, we often think of Churches. Synagogues also have a rich tradition of stained-glass windows. Join us as we explore how these windows beautify sacred spaces across Chicago.
March 22, 12pm
http://bit.ly/3FmsZbT
The Cable House in Chicago's River North neighborhood is a Richardsonian Romanesque-style, built in 1886 by Cobb and Frost. It was bought by the McCormick family in 1902 and was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1991.
25 E. Erie
📸 : rock_camp via Instagram
Don't miss! Closing soon!
Did you know that there is one building that remains standing of the Michael Reese Hospital complex? The Singer Pavilion is the sole remnant of the former hospital campus and a future anchor for a 48-acre Bronzeville Lakefront mega-development.
This exhibition presents innovative new ideas for activating the Singer Pavilion and surrounding Bronzeville Lakefront. Collegiate architecture programs at three schools reimagined how to use this historic building in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. And hey, the kids are alright.
https://bit.ly/3k6L6LD
Illinois Institute of Technology
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Have you seen this building on the Chicago River and always wondered why it's called DIRTT?
DIRTT’s penthouse showroom overlooks the Chicago River from the top of the Chase & Sanborn Coffee Company Warehouse building (Gustav Hallberg, 1912). The building is one of just two former warehouse buildings still standing on the main branch of the Chicago River. The penthouse, now home to the Green Learning Center, is a place where DIRTT ("Doing It Right This Time") shares solutions for sustainable interior construction and ideas about how to build better.
http://bit.ly/3JgUo07
📸 : Eric Rogers
Adam Rubin, CAC’s Director of Interpretation, recently spoke with Scripps about the famous dyeing of the Chicago River for St. Patrick’s Day. Check it out!
Here's a beautiful way to start off your Monday!
📸 : rsalas77
As you settle in to watch the Oscars tonight, don't forget about a close-to-home star that you might not think of: the city of Chicago.
From a Charlie Chaplin film made in 1915 to the comic book world of Batman, hundreds of movies have been shot in Chicago. And when they are made here, Chicago architecture has had a knack for making its way into the final cut.
http://bit.ly/3YEeRSe
Today the Chicago River is dyed green, but what else do you know about the city's favorite waterway?
Here's some quick facts:
• the river used to flow in the opposite direction (into Lake Michigan)
• it was once a "working river"
• the river was once described as "red"
Learn more about the Chicago River at the link in bio.
http://bit.ly/422VcOH
📸 :
The story of the Chicago River is one that continues to unfold. Through periods of industry, transportation, revitalization and recreation, it has grown and changed like the city itself.
Now Open at the Chicago Architecture Center!
Come Home: Missing Middle Infill Housing presents innovative ways of reimagining Chicago’s single family home, two- and three-flat, rowhouse and six-flat typologies to better meet modern living. The exhibition highlights the work of 42 firms from across North America that were invited to present their design solutions at the CAC, following an open call for proposals.
Plus, you can give your feedback about the projects. Check out the link in bio for details and how to make you voice heard.
https://bit.ly/3J9sfcr
📸 : Pivot House, DAAM
Well of course!
A Chicago park in the Loop was rated as one of the best destinations for visitors in the United States by Family Destinations Guide.
These slightly foggy days definitely give the city an air of mystery.
📸 : via Instagram
If you know a girl aged 11-17 who is interested in architecture, engineering or design, Girls Build! Day is the event for her!
The day includes hands-on STEM activities, an all-female panel discussion about the industries, and opportunities to ask professionals questions about careers in these fields. Don't miss this exciting event!
Learn more & register: https://bit.ly/3SES3QW
March 25, 10am, at the Center: 111 E. Wacker
Check this out! CAC's CEO, Eleanor Gorski speaks on WBEZ about Come Home Chicago, a new design competition that would bring more housing units to six Chicago neighborhoods.
https://www.wbez.org/stories/chicago-architecture-center-builds-on-lightfoots-invest-south-west-program/813f016c-ffc5-4658-9a52-a9db3e8ce6fb
The center is leading a new design competition that would bring more housing units to six Chicago neighborhoods.
Greenstone Church (Solon S. Beman, 1880) in the Pullman/Roseland neighborhood features a unique facade of green stone quarried in Pennsylvania. With the exception of the chancel arrangements, the sanctuary has remained unchanged since the 1880s. The cherry wood of the altar and pews is original, as is the Steere & Turner manual-tracker pipe organ.
http://bit.ly/3ytrZyZ
In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re thrilled to highlight some women-owned and women-founded firms featured in the Come Home poster show. This group of international architecture firms showcases the highest quality of design and housing innovation. Share your feedback on all 42 designs here: https://bit.ly/3mssDtD.
Frida Escobedo ParkFowler Plus Tatiana Bilbao Estudio MERGE Architects Ross Barney Architects UrbanLab, Civic Projects
Chicago's 7 Most Endangered Buildings 2023 has been revealed! Swipe to check out the full lineup.
Want to know more about what made the Preservation Chicago list? Head to this link to read the full building descriptions and why preservationists are advocating for them this year. https://bit.ly/3yr4W7P
1 - Century & Consumers Buildings
Century Building, 1915, Holabird and Roche, 202 S. State Street
Consumers Building, 1913, Jenney, Mundie & Jensen, 220 S. State Street. Photo credit: Eric Allix Rogers
2 - Terra Cotta Buildings Throughout Chicago
c. 1890s - 1940s, Various Architects. Photo credit: Serhii Chrucky
3 - Jeffery Theater Building & Spencer Arms Hotel
1924, William P. Doerr, 7054 S. Jeffery Boulevard/952 E. 71st Street. Photo credit: Ward Miller/Preservation Chicago
4 - The Warehouse
1906 & 1917, Vernon W. Behel, 206 S. Jefferson Street. Photo credit: Serhii Chrucky
5 - Taft Hall at the University of Illinois Chicago
1965, Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), 826 S. Halsted Street. Photo credit: Max Chavez/Preservation Chicago
6 - Werner Brothers Storage Building
1921, George S. Kingsley, 7613 N. Paulina Street. Photo credit: Serhii Chrucky
7 - Southwest Side Industrial Buildings
Continental Can Company Building, 1920, Samuel Scott Joy, 3815 S. Ashland Avenue. Photo credit: Serhii Chrucky
Damen Silos, 1906, John Metcalf (civil engineer), 2860 S. Damen Avenue. Photo credit: Eric Allix Rogers
Fisk Power Station, 1903, Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, 1111 W. Cermak Road. Photo credit: Serhii Chrucky
Last night, the CAC welcomed more than 200 architects, designers and industry leaders to celebrate the opening of Come Home Chicago's Missing Middle Infill Housing poster show. Architects from around the nation and beyond, from Montreal to Mexico City, took a closer look at the 42 submissions that have been selected for phase 2 of the Come Home Initiative. We’re proud to present their innovative ideas for reimagining Chicago’s housing typologies to better meet modern living.
You can view the 42 entries from local and national architecture firms and provide feedback for the jury here: https://bit.ly/3mssDtD
Thank you to our sponsor The Chicago Community Trust and partners City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development and City of Chicago Department of Housing.
Today is International Women's Day and we have a list of influential women architects you NEED to know.
From the founder of Chicago's first woman-run architecture firm to the first African-American woman registered as an architect in Illinois, these 5 trailblazing women architects made their mark in Chicago.
http://bit.ly/3HXkjqN
📸 : The Woman's Building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, designed by Sophia Hayden Bennett, the first female architecture graduate from MIT
Who else is gearing up for St. Patrick's Day?
Great shot from
Tomorrow is the big day! Preservation Chicago unveils the 2023 Chicago's 7 Most Endangered List. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this list, check out a building that was added to the list last year and learn about where its future stands now.
Famous for being Chicago's first movie palace and the first air conditioned cinema in the country, the Central Park Theater was the first partnership between architects Rapp & Rapp and theater moguls Balaban & Katz. Since its grand opening in 1917, this extravagant theater has entertained North Lawndale for decades, but today, the theater is in need of a major restoration. Preservation Chicago has been working closely with the theater's owners to secure an exciting future for this important site, naming it one of Chicago's 7 Most Endangered in 2022.
To see the 2023 list revealed, join us on March 8 for free. Register here https://bit.ly/3ZgLAy7
📸: Tom Harris Photography
Did you know that Chicago also has a Flat Iron Building? The Flat Iron Building in New York and the one in Chicago were both designed by architects from Chicago; Daniel Burnham designed the NYC building (1902), while Holabird and Roche designed the Chicago building (1918).
http://bit.ly/3YsgzWM
📸 : Choose Chicago
Dwell asks - "Can a design contest actually spur development?" The Come Home initiative says yes. Designs from 42 local and national architecture firms have advanced to phase 2 of the housing design competition. Next, a jury review will determine which designs continue to phase 3. You can see the poster show on display at the Center from March 3-26, and check out a preview of the designs in the article.
Firms participating in the city’s Come Home Initiative, an effort to encourage much-need development, are sharing these concepts and more with the contest’s judges this week in downtown Chicago.
Short and sweet! Our hour-long building tours are a great way to really understand some of the city's most significant structures. And the Rookery tour is a must-do.
Explore the interior and exterior of one of Chicago’s most famous and beloved historic buildings: The Rookery by Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root. You'll learn about the architecture and hear the fascinating stories about this stunning building.
http://bit.ly/3mf9MlA
Explore the interior and exterior of one of Chicago’s most famous and beloved historic buildings: The…
Chicago has a vast Polish population. This Pulaski Day be sure to learn more about this vibrant group.
http://bit.ly/3kFBEPF
📸 : The Polish Consulate in Chicago
We're continuing our countdown to every preservationist's most anticipated day of the year: the reveal of Preservation Chicago's 7 Most Endangered List! Though this list aims to advocate for saving threatened historic structures, throughout its 20 years not every building has been a win, but the losses demonstrate just as strongly why preservation matters.
Controversially demolished in 2003, the Mercantile Exchange Building was completed in 1927 and designed by architect Alfred S. Alschuler. Despite being listed by Preservation Chicago as one of Chicago's 7 Most Endangered, this orange-rated beauty was razed for a lot that remains empty today. Out of this loss, however, came the introduction of the 90 Day Demolition Delay in 2003 which has helped save other high-profile sites in recent years.
To see the 2023 list, join us on March 8 for free. Register here https://bit.ly/3ZgLAy7
📸: Photo 1, a historic photo of the Mercantile Exchange Building by the Associated Press. Photo 2, a shot of the empty site where the building once stood by Anna Munzesheimer.
111 E. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL
60601
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You’re all going to Open House Chicago this weekend, right?!? 😅 openhousechicago.org #OHC2022 #Chicago #OpenHouseChicago #architecture
We had the pleasure of speaking with Jose Lopez of Humboldt Park as part of our Open House Chicago Neighborhood VIP series. Check it out and then be sure to put Humboldt Park on your list for #OHC2022! Music: Ricky Valadez, Pond5 #Chicago #architecture #design #OpenHouseChicago #Chicagohistory #HistoricChicago #HumboldtPark #ChicagoTour #TourChicago
🫣 sneak peek time! Check out this preview of the BMO Tower site and be sure to check it out during #OpenHouseChicago October 15-16! #OHC2022 openhousechicago.org
Open House Chicago 2022 🌟 celebrates 🌟 neighborhoods around the city! Check out our chat with Ariella Gibson from Downtown. And be sure to download the Chicago Architecture Center app or visit openhousechicago.org to start planning your OHC experience today. #Chicago #architecture #design #OHC2022 #OpenHouseChicago #ChicagoHistory #HistoricChicago #TourChicago #ChicagoTour
Next in our OHC2022 Neighborhood VIP series is Darnell Shields from the Austin Coming Together organization. Check it out and be sure to put Austin on your list of neighborhoods to visit during Open House Chicago 2022! openhousechicago.org #Chicago #architecture #design #OHC2022 #OpenHouseChicago #Chicagohistory #HistoricChicago #HistoricBuildings #Historicarchitecture #Chicagotour #TourChicago #Chicagoneighborhoods #Neighborhoods
We are so excited to present our Open House Chicago Neighborhood VIP series! Today check out Rogers Park's Neighborhood VIP, Eric Archambeult 😊 and be sure to put Rogers Park on your "to-visit" list during Open House Chicago 2022. #OHC2022 #OHC #Chicago #RogersPark #architecture #design #ChicagoHistory #HistoricChicago #HistoricBuildings #ChicagoNeighborhoods #OpenHouseChicago architecture.org openhousechicago.org 🎵: Ricky Valadez, Pond5
Don’t forget to vote for your favorites in the AIA Chicago People’s Choice award. There are 8 different categories. Here are the nominees for best multi-family residential: https://bit.ly/3pGxXYV Best of luck to all the nominees! #AIAChicago #Chicago #Architecture
Hey, you love architecture, right?! Now you have a chance to vote for your favorites in the AIA Chicago People’s Choice award. There are 8 different categories. Here are the nominees for best single family residential: https://bit.ly/3pGxXYV Best of luck to all the nominees! #AIAChicago #Chicago #Architecture
Architect Talks: Geoffrey Baer #Chicago #architecture #design #architecttalks architecture.org
Architect Talks: Geoffrey Baer #Chicago #architecture #design #architecttalks architecture.org
Standard Oil Building, Amoco Building, now the AON Building…this site has an interesting history. Find out more at architecture.org #Chicago #architecture #design #chicagohistory #historicChicago #skyline #AONBuilding #AonCenter
Secret 🤫 room in the Palmer House…
Welcome AIA members! #AIAChicago #AIANational #AIAConference #A22 #architecture #architect #architects #Chicago
Today is #Flagday! Get your #ChicagoFlag merch at shop.architecture.org or 111 E. Wacker. Adult Chicago flag t-shirt is only available at 111 E. Wacker. Kids t-shirts and onesies are available both online and in store. #Chicago #architecture #design
Father’s Day is coming up! Find uniques gifts for dad at the CAC Design Store, shop.architecture.org, 312.922.8687, 111 E. Wacker. #fathersday #fathersdaygifts #Chicago #architecture
We ❤️ Beaux-arts!
Which building looks older? #chicago #architecture #design #franklloydwright #beauxarts architecture.org
What will you pledge?? #energyrevolution #chicago #climatechange #climatecrisis
As many of you are aware, the Chicago Architecture Center is a non-profit. So what is our mission? Well, of course we love to show off our beautiful city but even more importantly, we strive to teach our community why design matters. We feel like this is especially important for our youth and in particular, those who maybe wouldn't have the opportunity to break into the architecture and design world. This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the CAC Newhouse Architecture and Design Competition. Want to see what we really love about our jobs? Please watch this video. All the way to the end. It's worth it. If you know of a teen interested in architecture and design, check out architecture.org. And, as always, thank you for all of your support. 🙏 #Chicago #architecture #design #CAC #Newhouse #CACTeen #STEM #STEAM #engineering #engineer #architect #designer #CPS #ChicagoPublicSchool #TeenFellows #architecturecompetition
The Reliance Building has a very unusual beginning 🤔 Check it out. #Chicago #architecture #design #Chicagohistory #historicChicago #historicbuildings
What CAC tour fits your #zodiacsign? 📸 credits: Eric Rogers, Dennis O’Neill, Chris Riley, Frederick J. Nachman, Irina Hynes #chicago #architecture #aries #taurus #gemini #cancer #leo #virgo #libra #scorpio #sagittarius #capricorn #aquarius #pisces #whatsyoursign #architecturetours #Chicagotours #tourchicago
Did the Jewelers Building *really* have a lot of jewelers as tenants? #Chicago #architecture #design #JewelersBuilding www.architecture.org
Long weekend? Family in town? Check out this preview then come visit our new exhibition, Energy Revolution. Energy Revolution demonstrates how we can actively respond to the climate crisis by transforming our use of energy in the built environment. The exhibition highlights the ways individuals, corporations and city leaders can work toward a carbon-free future. https://bit.ly/3vQ8fVN #architecture #Chicago #design #climatechange #energyrevolution #builtenvironment
April is Art Deco month! #architecture #design #Chicago #artdeco #architect architecture.org
I’m here to tell you about Chicago style windows! #architecture #chicago #chicagohotdog #chicagopizza #windows architecture.org
Today is Chicago Flag day! #Chicago #chicagoflag #Chicagoflagday #historicChicago #Chicagohistory #architecture #design
Tours, exhibitions, programs and events for all ages. Visit the Chicago Architecture Center on Wacker Dr. to view our 4,000-building scale model of Chicago, discover super-sized models of skyscrapers from around the world, shop in our award-winning store or participate in a fun LEGO® building event in our ArcelorMittal Design Studio. Choose from 85 tours by boat, walking, bus, or even L train, including the CAFC River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises. Tours depart daily and are led by the CAC's expert docent guides. Learn more at architecture.org!
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E Lake StreetMuseum of Broadcast Communications
N State StreetSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
S Wabash AvenueThe School of the Art Institute of Chicago Al
S Michigan Avenue
Oriental Institute - University of Chicago
E 58th Street
National Public Housing Museum
N Kingsbury Street
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
S. Dusable Lake Shore Drive
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Al
S Michigan Avenue
Museum of Broadcast Communications
N State Street