{"id":285769,"date":"2025-10-08T05:57:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T05:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/285769\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T05:57:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T05:57:32","slug":"5-seriously-cool-private-chicago-homes-you-can-explore-that-are-normally-closed-to-the-public","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/285769\/","title":{"rendered":"5 seriously cool private Chicago homes you can explore that are normally closed to the public"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Architecture Center\u2019s annual Open House Chicago<\/a> program\u2014one of the world\u2019s largest architecture and urban exploration festivals\u2014is back October 18 and 19, and it\u2019s poised to be bigger and better than ever before, with over 200 locations scattered across 25 Chicago neighborhoods. Along with granting Chicagoans the chance to peep behind the doors of some of the city\u2019s most architecturally and culturally significant buildings, Open House Chicago\u00a0will also offer free private tours of 13 residential spaces normally closed to the public.<\/p>\n

RECOMMENDED: Five iconic landmarks you\u2019ll be able to access for free during Open House Chicago 2025<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re hoping to bring your Pinterest \u201chome inspo\u201d to life or embrace your inner-historian, there\u2019s something for everyone at this year\u2019s Open House Chicago\u2014from Walt Disney\u2019s childhood home and Gilded Age landmarks to groundbreaking public housing complexes. Whatever your persuasion, don\u2019t pass up the opportunity to tour these remarkable homes.<\/p>\n

The 5 best\u00a0residential spaces to visit during Open House 2025
\nEdgewater Beach Apartments<\/a>,\u00a05555 N Sheridan Rd<\/p>\n

Oct 18 10am\u20135pm<\/strong><\/p>\n

This massive flamingo pink palace is the only remaining portion of the Edgewater Beach Hotel complex, most of which was demolished in the late 1960s. In order to protect the compound\u2019s remains, the Edgewater Beach Apartments building became a co-op in 1949 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. The building\u2019s unique star shape\u2014technically called a \u201cMaltese-Cross\u201d\u2014affords each room maximum natural light and panoramic views of Lake Michigan. Visitors can enjoy a partially guided tour of the building\u2019s lobby, mezzanine, retail arcade, pool terrace and two-acre garden.<\/p>\n

Glessner House<\/a>, 1800 S Prairie Ave<\/p>\n

Oct 18, 19 10am\u20135pm<\/strong><\/p>\n

Romanesque Revival pioneer H.H. Richardson\u2019s last surviving work in Chicago was commissioned by John and Frances Glessner, who were influential figures in the Gilded Age and champions of the arts. Thanks to its innovative floor plan\u2014with primary rooms facing inward toward a light-drenched courtyard\u2014the Glessner House ushered in a new age of residential architecture in the U.S. Visitors can enjoy 10-minute guided tours of the house\u2019s main living spaces, which are loaded with original furnishings representing the Aesthetic, Modern Gothic and Arts and Crafts movements.<\/p>\n

\"An
\nPhotograph: Courtesy of Chicago Architecture CenterHilliard Tower Apartments <\/p>\n

Hilliard Tower Apartments<\/a>,\u00a054 W Cermak Rd<\/p>\n

Oct 18 10am\u20135pm<\/strong><\/p>\n

Appearing at Open House Chicago for the first time, the Raymond M. Hilliard Homes were\u00a0originally conceived as affordable housing in the midst of the Urban Renewal initiative. With its then-revolutionary poured concrete construction, designer Bertrand Goldberg endeavored to create low-income housing that would instill a sense of pride within its tenants, who he believed were adversely punished for their socioeconomic status by way of low-quality public housing. Visitors can view displays depicting the building\u2019s original construction, rehab and site map in the entryway lobby before heading outside for programs or a rooftop tour of the senior building at 2111 South Clark Street. Continuous performances\u2014including church choirs and tai chi demonstrations\u2014in the inner courtyard will highlight local talent from neighboring Chinatown.<\/p>\n

Walt Disney House & Birthplace<\/a>, 2156 N Tripp Ave<\/p>\n

Oct 18, 19 noon\u20134pm<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 1891, carpenter Elias Disney purchased a parcel of land on the corner of Tripp Avenue and Palmer Street in hopes of building a charming abode for his growing family\u2014his wife Flora even drew up the two-story cottage\u2019s architectural plans. Nearly a decade after the home\u2019s completion, future world-defining animator Walter Elias Disney was born on the second floor. The home\u2019s current owners are collaborating with the City of Chicago to ensure the home\u2019s protection and restoration.\u00a0Line up early for this site visit: Due to the space\u2019s historically high demand, Open House Chicago will admit 15 visitors at a time for self-guided tours capped at 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

\"An
\nPhotograph: Courtesy of Chicago Architecture CenterSheridan Trust & Savings Bank Building <\/p>\n

Sheridan Trust & Savings Bank Building<\/a>, 4753 N Broadway<\/p>\n

Oct 18, 19 noon\u20135pm<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever ventured to Uptown, you\u2019ve surely clocked the towering terra cotta-clad Sheridan Trust and Savings Bank Building\u2014recently renamed The Teller House. Constructed throughout the 1920s and granted Chicago Landmark status in 2008, the building changed many hands before its recent redevelopment into a mixed-use apartment and commercial complex. Visitors will be able to explore the building\u2019s historic bank atrium (now home to WeWork), Oval Office board room, panic room and basement vault.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Chicago Architecture Center\u2019s annual Open House Chicago program\u2014one of the world\u2019s largest architecture and urban exploration festivals\u2014is…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":285770,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5124],"tags":[15292,960,5386,1818,15293,4329],"class_list":{"0":"post-285769","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chicago","8":"tag-categories-real-estate","9":"tag-chicago","10":"tag-il","11":"tag-illinois","12":"tag-news-real-estate","13":"tag-real-estate"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115337012845532214","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/285769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=285769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/285769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/285770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=285769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=285769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=285769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}