Auditorium Building, Chicago
A prime example of the Chicago School architectural style, the Auditorium Building is most renowned for its magnificent 4,000-seat theatre, revered for its nearly flawless acoustics and impeccable sightlines. At one point, it even inspired the legendary Modernist maestro Frank Lloyd Wright to dub it the "greatest room for music and opera in the world".
Constructed in 1889 by the esteemed duo of Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, this iconic complex solidified their global reputation as pioneers in modern architectural thought. Adler's prior triumphs in theater design secured their commission for this coveted project, and the ensuing publicity catapulted Sullivan's innovative architectural principles into the spotlight.
Conceived as a permanent haven for Chicago's operatic, symphonic, and cultural events, the building's visionary design included vast, multi-use commercial spaces, a 400-room hotel, and rental offices to balance potential deficits from operating the colossal theater. It stood as a monumental civic achievement; however, within just a decade, the building had fallen into disrepair, with its lowest point marked by a transformation into a recreational center for soldiers who ingeniously repurposed the stage as a makeshift bowling alley.
Roosevelt University eventually took ownership in 1946, but it wasn't until the 1960s that the building underwent a full-scale restoration and reopened its doors. In 1989, the cultural institution marked its centenary with the grand opening of "Les Mis茅rables". A comprehensive restoration initiative commenced in 2001, featuring extensive paint analysis to resurrect the original color patterns, intricate stenciling details, and a charming mural that once adorned the interior. In 2002, the theater's 113-year-old stage underwent removal and reconstruction, just in time to host the Bolshoi Ballet, which garnered sold-out performances and critical acclaim.
Even if you can't catch a concert, consider embarking on a tour of this historic gem!
Constructed in 1889 by the esteemed duo of Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, this iconic complex solidified their global reputation as pioneers in modern architectural thought. Adler's prior triumphs in theater design secured their commission for this coveted project, and the ensuing publicity catapulted Sullivan's innovative architectural principles into the spotlight.
Conceived as a permanent haven for Chicago's operatic, symphonic, and cultural events, the building's visionary design included vast, multi-use commercial spaces, a 400-room hotel, and rental offices to balance potential deficits from operating the colossal theater. It stood as a monumental civic achievement; however, within just a decade, the building had fallen into disrepair, with its lowest point marked by a transformation into a recreational center for soldiers who ingeniously repurposed the stage as a makeshift bowling alley.
Roosevelt University eventually took ownership in 1946, but it wasn't until the 1960s that the building underwent a full-scale restoration and reopened its doors. In 1989, the cultural institution marked its centenary with the grand opening of "Les Mis茅rables". A comprehensive restoration initiative commenced in 2001, featuring extensive paint analysis to resurrect the original color patterns, intricate stenciling details, and a charming mural that once adorned the interior. In 2002, the theater's 113-year-old stage underwent removal and reconstruction, just in time to host the Bolshoi Ballet, which garnered sold-out performances and critical acclaim.
Even if you can't catch a concert, consider embarking on a tour of this historic gem!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chicago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Auditorium Building on Map
Sight Name: Auditorium Building
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chicago, Illinois
Create Your Own Walk in Chicago
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chicago is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chicago Navy Pier Walking Tour
Additional to scenic views of the lake, the boats, and the city skyline, the Navy Pier offers a variety of attractions on the waterfront 鈥� for kids as well as adults 鈥� that draw nearly ten million people annually, making this Chicago's most visited spot. Yes, some may see it as a 鈥渢ourist trap鈥�, but it is worth the time and money to spend some time here, so take this self-guided walk... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Chicago Introduction Walking Tour
Chicago, perched on the shores of Lake Michigan in Illinois, is a city steeped in history and urban vibrancy. Known by numerous nicknames such as the Windy City and the City of Big Shoulders, it boasts a skyline marked by towering structures. The area of today's Chicago, initially inhabited by Native American tribes, saw its first European-settled reference as "Chicagou" in 1679, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Chicago Old Town Walking Tour
Settled in 1850 by German immigrants, Chicago鈥檚 Old Town neighborhood is a popular destination for locals and visitors who cater to the entertainment venues, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and boutiques 鈥� all of which have turned an area once referred to as the 鈥淐abbage Patch鈥� into an attraction that rivals Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the Magnificent Mile.
Start your Old Town walking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Start your Old Town walking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture Tour in Oak Park
Oak Park, located in Cook County, Illinois, just outside Chicago, made history in 1889 when Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America's most renowned architects, and his wife settled there, leaving a profound impact on the area's appearance. This village boasts the highest concentration of Wright-crafted buildings in the world - over a dozen! - making it a pivotal destination for enthusiasts to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Chicago Chinatown Walking Tour
Tucked away just south of the Loop, the Chinatown of Chicago was established in 1912 and is considered one of the best examples of American Chinatown. While it may be one of Chicago鈥檚 smallest neighborhoods geographically, it is big on character, colors, sights, sounds, and flavors. Here, you鈥檒l find a wide range of unique boutiques, specialty shops, religious sights, authentic Chinese... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour
The city of Chicago is renowned for its outdoor green spaces. One such 鈥渇orever free and open鈥� space, is called Grant Park and was established in 1844. In fact, upon foundation, it was called Lake Park, but was renamed in 1901 after the American Civil War General and United States President, Ulysses S. Grant.
Popularly referred to as 鈥淐hicago's front lawn,鈥� this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Popularly referred to as 鈥淐hicago's front lawn,鈥� this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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