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7 Lincoln Square Sites On Open House Chicago Tour; Half Acre Joins The Fun

By Patty Wetli | September 13, 2017 9:20am | Updated on October 13, 2017 9:13am
 Secret rooms, rooftop RVs and more will be open to the public during the annual architecture fest.
Lincoln Square Open House Chicago 2017 Preview
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LINCOLN SQUARE — The annual two-day architecture-palooza known as Open House Chicago offers a behind-the-scenes pass to more than 200 architectural treasures across the city, including several right in Lincoln Square's back yard.

Seven sites in Lincoln Square/Ravenswood are taking part in the 2017 fest, set for Oct. 14-15, from perennial fan favorites like the Airstream — It's an RV! On a roof! — to Half Acre's brand spanking new Balmoral Tap Room.

Here's the local lineup, no tickets required, free admission:

• The Airstream, 1807 W. Sunnyside Ave.; open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days of the fest.

This rooftop RV is more or less a break room for employees of Chicago Associates Planners and Architects. Makes your work place kitchenette seem kind of sad, no?

• All Saints Episcopal Church, 4550 N. Hermitage Ave.; open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 and 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 15.

Built in 1884 and considered the oldest wood-frame church in Chicago, the recently restored All Saints just picked up a prestigious preservation award from Landmarks Illinois.

• Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, 4912 N. Western Ave.; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14-15.

Part printmaking studio, part art gallery, the collaborative settled into new digs in 2015 after a complete gut renovation of the interior of the building on Western Avenue. Demonstrations of printmaking techniques are always a highlight of Open House weekend.

• DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave.; 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 15.

DANK's Schlaraffia Club room is normally open to members only — and those members are only men. But during the Open House tour, everyone gets a glimpse inside and it is interesting.

• Half Acre Balmoral, 2050 W. Balmoral Ave.; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14, closed Oct. 15.

Half Acre's newly opened Balmoral Tap Room has been getting a lot of attention lately but the brewery itself, with its massive bow-truss ceiling and gleaming steel brewing equipment, is something to see as well.

• Koval Distillery, 5121 N. Ravenswood Ave.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 14-15.

In fewer than 10 years, Koval has gone from industry curiosity to industry leader. See where and how the magic is made.

• Ravenswood Event Center, 4025 N. Ravenswood Ave.; Closed Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 15.

Brown Line riders will recognize the building's arched atrium roof, visible in the distance as trains make their way between Belmont and Western. The history of this architectural feature is fascinating: The event center was once a billboard factory, and the atrium allowed craftsmen to paint under natural light. The building now also houses a vintage car collection.