Wrigleyville tours, free virtual events and the perfect activity for a special occasion

JULY 14, 2020 • ISSUE 15

JOIN THE PARTY

Gala 2020: Open Doors Open Minds
Thursday, July 23 at 6pm Central Time
FREE

Save the date and join us—from anywhere on Earth—for an entertaining virtual gala to support the CAC. Listen in on a roundtable discussion between CAC teen programs alumni and leading architects Jeanne Gang, Juan Gabriel Moreno, Billie Tsien and Tod Williams, celebrate the accomplishments of our extraordinary honorees, Edward J. Wehmer and Nila R. Leiserowitz, and much more. You’ll also be among the first to hear what’s planned for the longest-ever Open House Chicago festival, in city neighborhoods and online this October. Register now for your reminder for viewing online at architecture.org/gala or on any device with a YouTube app, including smart TVs.

LEARN MORE

GET ON THE WATER

The Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady is “The Architects’ Choice.” Your family and friends will enjoy spectacular views while getting the best overview of riverfront buildings and their histories, as told by expertly trained CAC docents. With new safely distanced seating, space is strictly limited so don’t delay. Come discover why our tour is the #1 choice among TripAdvisor users!

PS: Continue your discoveries at the CAC! Center admission is just $5—regularly $12—when you visit before or after your river cruise.

BOOK NOW

Cruises depart Fridays at 12:30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm and 7pm; and Saturdays and Sundays at 10am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm and 7pm. Advance reservations are required.

POUND THE PAVEMENT

Add city stories to your summer strut with one of 50 walking tours through downtown areas, neighborhoods and suburbs, including these favorites!

HISTORIC SKYSCRAPERS

Get an up-close look at 19th century marvels, learn about innovations used to build them and discover how they transformed Chicago into a global center of skyscraper design and engineering. Departs Saturdays at 3:30pm, Mondays at 1:30pm, and Thursdays at 10:30am. Get tickets→

A WALK THROUGH TIME

Enjoy a comprehensive look at the city’s architectural evolution by touring buildings in chronological order, from the earliest skyscrapers to the latest supertall towers. Departs Mondays at 3pm, Thursdays at 10:30am, Fridays at 1pm and 3pm, Saturdays at 10:30am, and Sundays at 10:30am and 3pm. Get tickets→

FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Book a My Social Circle tour with your friends and family to enjoy a private walking tour along any existing route! Discover your new favorite neighborhood or gaze up at iconic skyscrapers, guided by your very own CAC docent. Or, go bespoke with one of our Architecture Conversations custom tours. See details→

Please note that our safety policies apply to all CAC walking tours, both public and private. Advance reservations are required for most of our walking tour offerings.

CAC LIVE: WHAT’S NEXT

Exploring Urban Excellence: Sustaining Vibrant Urban Places in an Era of Social Distancing
Thursday, July 16 at noon

Density may be the most universal characteristic of cities. Our five esteemed panelists discuss how designers, developers and managers of mixed-use developments are responding to the current pandemic and the long-term implications for creating and maintaining healthy, welcoming and inclusive urban places.

HOW WE’LL KEEP MOVING

What’s Next on CAC Live continues this summer with a discussion among innovators and thought-leaders on the future of transportation; stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, CAC Program Operations Specialist Ian Spula caught up with Gia Biagi, Commissioner of the City of Chicago Department of Transportation, to hear how CDOT is monitoring and addressing the many challenges posed by COVID-19.

CAC LIVE: TOURS

Wrigleyville Tour
Sunday, July 19 at 1pm
Tuesday, July 21 at 5:30pm

This live, virtual walking tour includes fascinating facts about the architecture surrounding Chicago’s beloved “friendly confines.” CAC Docent Council President Kent Foutty begins in front of the home of the Chicago Cubs, highlights new developments to the south and west and shares the stories of its older neighbors.

Alta Vista Terrace Tour
Sunday, July 26 at 1pm
Tuesday, July 28 at 5:30pm

Learn about a stretch of row houses situated between Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Graceland Cemetery on this live, 45-minute virtual tour of Alta Vista Terrace. A full city block of 40 row houses—rather uncommon in Chicago—built all at once, Alta Vista took its inspiration in part from London’s residential vernacular and remains one of the most unique and holistically designed streets in Chicago.

CAC FOR THE FAMILY

CAC TEEN DESIGN CHALLENGE

A new and FREE opportunity for Chicago-area youth ages 13 to 18, the CAC Teen Design Challenge invites both individual students and teams of up to five to respond to the City of Chicago’s INVEST South/West initiative by designing community amenities. A guest jury of ten professionals in architecture, construction, design and engineering (ACED) will review all submissions—due by 5pm on Friday, July 31—and select five finalists who will proceed to compete for cash prizes of up to $500. This week only, from 1−2pm Central Time through Friday, July 17, CAC Education staff are available to provide feedback on projects in progress via Zoom.

GET STARTED

READ AND BUILD

Read along with CAC Interim Education Coordinator Mizael Robledo in English or Spanish as we flip through “Iggy Peck, Architect” by Andrea Beaty—then try the at-home activity linked below!

DOWNLOAD

ONE MORE THING

JOIN TODAY FOR BIG SAVINGS ON THE BEST WE HAVE TO OFFER

Did you know CAC members enjoy an annual, one-time-use, buy-one-ticket, get-one-free benefit good for a Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady? Safely get outside to see what’s new on the Chicago River, but that’s not all—check out these additional member benefits!

JOIN NOW

THE LATEST

The CAC remains committed to providing the safest possible experience for its entire community of members, staff, visitors, volunteers and tour attendees. All Center visitors and CAC tour attendees are prompted to acknowledge and accept the CAC’s safety policies supporting recommendations from public health officials from the CDC, the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago.

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