Architectural Tour Offers Glimpse Behind The Scenes Of 130 Sites
CHICAGO (CBS) -- From universities, to churches to funeral homes, the Chicago Architecture Foundation is offering a free behind the scenes looks at dozens of locations citywide.
"Jack Hartray, the Chicago architect, once said that Chicago is a city of 2.9 million architecture critics. So we know we have a city full of people who love the architecture and design of Chicago so we are committed to providing experiences that illuminate the city and educate people about the building environment," said Open House Chicago Managing Director Bastiaan Bouma.
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More than 130 places will open its doors to the public for one weekend only. The public will be able to go places like the original Sears Tower in North Lawndale, Louis Armstrong's Sunset Cafe in Bronzeville, inside a little-known Frank Lloyd Wright home, an apartment building that looks like a castle with a basement swimming pool and the rooftop garden of Lake Point Tower.
The idea behind the scenes of back stage pass to these buildings to offer a new wrinkle, a new kind of experience for people and to draw them into community areas where they aren't as familiar," added Bouma.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation's "Open House Chicago 2011." It's being held Oct. 15-16 and is free to the public.
The group will offer self-guided tours of some of the city's most important and interesting buildings in several parts of the city. Those include downtown, Bronzeville, Garfield Park and Little Village.
The "Open House" program originated in London 20 years ago. New York has been hosting a similar event for over a decade.
