Open House Chicago: Uncovering the City’s Hidden Treasures
Astor Club: A Journey into the Past
Growing up on the Near North Side, Peter Vale was too young to go into Maxim’s, the Art Nouveau restaurant his parents went to in the basement of the modernist Astor Tower Hotel. That’s why he was determined to check out the space, now known as the Astor Club, as part of the annual Open House Chicago tour. The private dinner club, at 24 E. Goethe St., has been restored to resemble the original eatery, which opened in 1963.
A spiral staircase leads visitors to the Astor Club in the basement of the former Astor Tower Hotel.
Uncovering the Past
The Astor Club is one of more than 20 new sites featured at Open House Chicago, which is expected to draw tens of thousands to over 170 locations this weekend. The free event continues Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours at individual locations may vary. The event, launched in 2011, is designed to show off the city’s architectural beauty, as well as its many historically and culturally significant institutions and sites.
Salvage One: A Treasure Trove of Architectural Elements
Especially impressive is an intentionally decorated room with antique pink furniture and an elegant armoire lined with pink fabric. Though the room is used as a wedding suite (Salvage One hosts many weddings in the courtyard), all of the furniture is for sale. Each item in the shop has a story, whether it is known or not. On Saturday, owner Jane Rodak pointed out one bar rescued from the Bismarck Hotel and a bar back that will be moving into the new TimeLine Theatre building, due to open in 2026.
Open House Chicago: Explore, Discover, and Learn
Open House Chicago offers a tour of never-before-seen sites in Chicago with an eye toward getting visitors to spend more time exploring new neighborhoods. Places like the Astor Club and Salvage One inspire with unique design elements. But sites like the Fair Trade Museum inspire with educational exhibits.
Located at 4704 N. Broadway, the organization is dedicated to promoting fair trade, a business model that centers on fair wages and environmental sustainability. On Saturday, visitors perused exhibits on the sources of the food they consume every day, the history of the fair trade movement, the fast fashion industry, and the labor movement in Chicago.
Additional Information
For more information on Open House Chicago, visit architecture.org.imers can plan their itineraries by visiting the website, which also has information on surrounding restaurants, playgrounds, and "activations" or programming at each site.
"We want people to spend an hour or two hours in a neighborhood and get to know the place a little bit," said Adam Rubin, senior director of public engagement at the Chicago Architecture Center. "It really is about building pride in Chicago."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Open House Chicago?
A: Open House Chicago is a free event that showcases over 170 locations in Chicago, including historic buildings, cultural institutions, and architectural gems.
Q: What are some of the featured sites?
A: Some of the featured sites include the Astor Club, Salvage One, and the Fair Trade Museum, among many others.
Q: How can I plan my day?
A: Visit architecture.org to plan your itinerary and find information on surrounding restaurants, playgrounds, and "activations" or programming at each site.
