Chicago Architecture Center

The Chicago Architecture Center is a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to promoting the city's architectural heritage. The organization was founded in 1966 to save the historic Glessner House and has since grown into a central hub for architecture enthusiasts. Today, the center is housed in One Illinois Center on the banks of the Chicago River and offers a diverse range of programs, lectures, and exhibitions that put urban design front and center.

You can explore the building and its offerings in a variety of ways. One highlight is the permanent exhibition, which features a detailed, three-dimensional scale model of downtown that impressively recreates the Chicago skyline. The center also regularly offers guided tours led by trained volunteers. These walks take you through historic and modern landmarks such as the Rookery, the Marquette Building, and the Sears Tower, as well as public parks and plazas. A particularly popular activity is the guided architecture cruise on the Chicago River, which runs from April to November and offers a unique view of the city's facades.

In addition to tours and exhibitions, the center is strongly committed to education and organizes the annual Open House Chicago. This free event opens the doors to otherwise inaccessible buildings in October and invites thousands of participants to experience the city's architectural diversity up close.