According to the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), approximately 100,000 Chicagoans and visitors took part in Open House Chicago (OHC) 2018. Attendance figures matched the record set in 2016 and represent a 5 percent increase from 2017. The CAC continued to expand the scope of OHC in 2018 offering 280 sites in 31 neighborhoods on October 13 and 14—a record number for both.
Now in its eighth year and one of the largest architecture events in the world, OHC added three new neighborhoods in 2018: Beverly and Morgan Park, neighborhoods on the far southwest side, and Austin, on the west side. The nineteen sites in these neighborhoods received nearly 17,000 site visits, an impressive figure for first-time participants. The CAC also announced that Open House Chicago 2019 will take place on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20.
“We were so pleased to see Chicagoans turn out again in record numbers to discover hidden gems in neighborhoods all across the city,” said Lynn Osmond, president and CEO of the CAC. “The crowds exploring new neighborhoods they haven’t visited before is a testament to Chicagoans’ love of architecture and design, but also of deepening appreciation for Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods that enrich our lives. We were also excited to welcome so many people to the new Chicago Architecture Center during OHC, including to our free Family Festival throughout the weekend.”
OHC is a celebration of Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities. OHC Community Partners help make OHC a success. The OHC Community Partners for the new communities of Beverly and Morgan Park were the Beverly Area Planning Association and 19th Ward Alderman O’Shea’s Office. The OHC Community Partner for Austin was Austin Coming Together. A full list of OHC Community Partners can be found in the OHC 2018 Site Summary.
This year, Wintrust was named Presenting Sponsor for OHC 2018, 2019 and 2020. Additional support was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, ComEd, Tawani Foundation and Lifeway Foods. OHC partners include Choose Chicago, the Chicago Transit Authority and Open House Worldwide. OHC is part of a global movement of free open house events that began in London in 1992. Today more than 40 cities around the world hold similar weekend festivals. OHC is the second largest event of its kind worldwide.
