by Kate D’Avignon
This year’s Open House Chicago will spotlight a mix of well‑known landmarks and lesser‑known community institutions across the Austin neighborhood, offering visitors a chance to see how local organizations are reshaping historic spaces and serving residents.
The citywide architecture festival, organized by the Chicago Architecture Center, features nearly 200 sites across more than 30 neighborhoods. Austin’s lineup includes cultural centers, churches, and a major redevelopment project that has become a model for community‑driven revitalization.
A Highlight: The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation
One of Austin’s standout stops is the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation at 5500 W. Madison St. The three‑story, 85,000‑square‑foot facility occupies the former Emmet Elementary School, which closed in 2013 during a districtwide cost‑cutting initiative. After sitting vacant for years, the building was purchased in 2018 by the Westside Health Authority with the goal of transforming it into a community anchor.
Today, the center houses multiple partners, including:
- Austin Coming Together
- Freedom Defense Center of Austin
- Jane Addams Resource Corporation
- Legal Aid Chicago
- Westside Health Authority
The redevelopment recently earned a 2026 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award, recognizing its restoration work, community impact, and contribution to local economic growth.
Austin Locations Featured in This Year’s Tour
Visitors can explore several neighborhood institutions during the event:
- Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 601 S. Central Ave.
- Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, 5500 W. Madison St.
- BUILD Headquarters, 5100 W. Harrison St.
- Fraternité Notre Dame, 502 N. Central Ave.
- Kehrein Center for the Arts, 5628 W. Washington Blvd.
- Third Unitarian Church, 301 N. Mayfield Ave.
Each site offers a different perspective on Austin’s cultural, architectural, and civic life.