Preservation Chicago

06/02/2026

Join panelist Ward Miller on June 6 at the Driehaus Museum to learn more about it what it took to transform Chicago during the Gilded Age after the Great Fire of 1871.

Click below to learn more about the 3 pm event at 50 E. Erie Street and register for it:

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum explores the art, architecture, and design of the late 19th-century with a focus on the Gilded Age. The Museum is located just steps from the Magnificent Mile within the meticulously restored Nickerson Mansion, renowned as Gilded Age Chicago’s “Marble Palace.”

05/06/2026

Explore "NEW PATHS TO PRESERVATION: THE LATE MODERN DILEMMA," an upcoming "Preservation Month" panel discussion at the Chicago Architecture Center's Gand Lecture Hall on THURSDAY, MAY 14 at 6 p.m. (111 E. Wacker Drive). Experts from Chicago, New York and L.A. will share how existing tools and new approaches for renewing buildings can support housing needs and responsible growth. As cities face rising housing demand and underused office space, preservation of existing buildings is now playing a more pivotal role in what comes next. Many Late Modern office buildings are becoming obsolete. While Willis Tower and “Big Red” have been successfully redeveloped, many other buildings will require creative reuse to avoid demolition.

The panelists are: Kendra Parzen (Advocacy Manager at Landmarks Illinois), Adam Rubin (CAC Sr. Director of Public Engagement and a Chicago landmarks commissioner), Frank Mahan, AIA (Design Principal, Adaptive Reuse Practice Leader, SOM), and Ken Bernstein, who heads the Office of Historic Resources for the City of Los Angeles where a citywide adaptive reuse ordinance was recently adopted.

Click photo below to REGISTER:

In honor of Preservation Month, hear from a panel of experts on existing tools and new approaches for renewing buildings to support housing needs and responsible growth.

04/15/2026

There's still time to make plans to hear the thrilling music of Apollo's Fire at the amazing KAM Isaiah Israel synagogue in Hyde Park this coming Saturday, April 18. The 7:30 pm concert is in the Byzantine-style domed sanctuary designed by Chicago's famous architect Alfred Alschuler. The music of Apollo's Fire is influenced by the music of Old Jerusalem and played on oud, theorbo, medieval harp, zither, strings and exotic percussion. It's at 5039 South Greenwood Ave in Hyde Park, right across the street from the Obama's home. Tickets and more information are at https://bit.ly/ChiAFJerusalem. See you there!

O Jerusalem! (Chicago) Crossroads of Three Faiths April 17 – April 19, 2026 “A ravishing musical landscape… a sensory feast” – CLEVELANDCLASSICAL.COM Ringing with urgency in our time, this acclaimed program created by Jeannette Sorrell returns in a fresh version. Honoring the peoples whose...

04/15/2026

Spend some time Sunday April 19 in Uptown learning about the Riviera and Uptown theaters. Hosted by longtime Uptown Theatre caretaker David Syfczak and The Landmark Uptown Theater Corp. (NFP), this FREE event features a history program, brief videos about the Uptown, and a tour of the historic Riviera Theatre.

The program is 2 pm to 4 pm at the Riviera, 4746 N. Racine Ave, just down the street from the Uptown Theatre. Local journalist, photographer and author Robert Loerzel will give a talk about the histories of Balaban & Katz, the Riviera, the Green Mill and the Uptown. Co-author and founder of Friends of the Uptown Andy Pierce will deliver a visual tour of the Uptown through 1925 photographs. Local organist Daniel Boin will play organ music on stage and Riviera Theatre facilities manager John Booher will lead a group tour of the venue!

A few remaining "The UPTOWN: Chicago's Endangered Movie Palace" books – now listed as out of print – will be available ($50 cash or Zelle). See you there!!

04/07/2026

The Apollo's Fire concert at 7:30 pm on Saturday April 18 at the historic KAM Isaiah Israel synagogue in Hyde Park is a great opportunity to experience the temple's glorious Byzantine-style architecture. The domed sanctuary's breathtaking sound quality pairs perfectly with the Apollo's Fire musical tour of Old Jerusalem, which highlights the surprising cross-cultural influences of Jewish, Christian, Arab and Armenian music. Apollo's Fire founder and artistic director Jeannette Sorrell brings together 26 artists from Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim and Christian backgrounds to perform on oud, theorbo, medieval harp, zither, strings and exotic percussion. The 1924 synagogue designed by Jewish Chicago Architect Alfred Alschuler was designated a Chicago landmark in 1977. It's at 5039 South Greenwood Ave in Hyde Park, right across the street from the Obama's home. Tickets and more information are at https://bit.ly/ChiAFJerusalem.

03/05/2026

Help save the fabulous Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room that the Art Institute of Chicago wants to demolish for a new building that could go elsewhere. Sign the change.org petition -- the link is below. Legendary photographer Richard Nickel lost his life while saving architectural remnants and photographing the destruction as the Stock Exchange Building was being demolished. Dedicated architects and philanthropists spent years and more than a million dollars to reconstruct it at the Art Institute. It's amazing to be able to walk into the space today. Don't let it disappear.
https://c.org/ndsqBkt5c5

03/04/2026

The 2026 Chicago 7 Most Endangered buildings and sites announcement by Preservation Chicago is happening TODAY at NOON, Wednesday, March 4. Here's the link for online viewing so you'll have it handy if you're not going to be at the presentation in person at the Chicago Architecture Center (111 East Wacker Drive): https://www.youtube.com/live/SAKBrbTKT-I. See you at high noon!!

Join Ward Miller, The Richard H. Driehaus Executive Director of Preservation Chicago, in the annual unveiling of the 2026 “Chicago 7” Most Endangered Buildin...

03/03/2026

There's still time to register to see our 2026 Chicago 7 Most Endangered Buildings announcement live on Zoom at high noon on Wed March 4 (we've reached capacity for in -person attendance). Ward Miller will take you on an exciting ride as he reveals the list and how you can help Preservation Chicago get them saved. Register at https://www.architecture.org/events-programs/chicagos-7-most-endangered-buildings-in-2026. See you online on March 4 at noon!! Ward is the Richard H. Driehaus Executive Director of Preservation Chicago!

Join us for a talk with Ward Miller, Richard H. Driehaus Executive Director of Preservation Chicago, exploring the histories and significance of these architectural treasures, the threats they face and how they can be protected. This program is offered in-person and online.

02/25/2026

Join us a week from today -- noon Wed March 4, also known as Chicago's birthday -- for the announcement of the Preservation Chicago 2026 7 Most Endangered Buildings. Executive Director Ward Miller's always captivating, fast-paced presentation sets the stage for what can be done to mobilize support to protect these important historic buildings. See you in person at the Chicago Architecture Center (111 E. Wacker Drive) or on zoom. Register for either one at https://www.architecture.org/events-programs/chicagos-7-most-endangered-buildings-in-2026.
The Thompson Center below, now in the midst of a massive transformation into Google's Chicago HQ, was a Chicago 7 in 2016, 2018, 2019 & 2020. Even if they're not repeated like the Thompson Center was, buildings that are once a Chicago 7 are always a Chicago 7 until they become success stories.

02/17/2026

Have fun while supporting the renovation of the historic Avalon Regal Theater on Chicago's South Side by attending the "Avalon Regal Theater Launch Party" on Thursday, March 12 from 8 pm to midnight. Called "Chicago Comedy Search: Live at the Regal," the fundraiser is a taste of live performances to come when the landmarked theater opens again. The "March 12 Launch Fundraiser" takes place at Pressure Point Recording Studio at 2239 South Michigan Avenue. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/avalon-regal-theater-launch-party-tickets-1982976599389

The Avalon Regal Theater, 1927, John Eberson, 1641 East 79th Street. Photo Credits: Eric Allix Rogers