Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), formerly known as Chicago Architecture Foundation, recently announced that it will open at its new location at 111 E Wacker Dr., a building originally designed by the office of Mies van der Rohe, on August 31, 2018. The interiors have been redesigned by local firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS + GG).

The new Center will join the active riverfront and house everything architecture for Chicagoans and tourists alike, bringing new walking tours, imaginative education programs, and new interactive exhibits. More details on the new tours will be released later this summer.

The CAC will feature custom-designed spaces for tour orientation, design education, public programs, along with store and exhibit space developed in partnership with museum planning and design firm Gallagher & Associates. 

One of the Center’s opening exhibits will be housed in the Skyscaper Gallery, a space with 40-foot tall windows overlooking the Chicago River. The exhibit, Building Tall, will feature large scale models of famous skyscrapers from around the world including a nearly 40-foot tall model of Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Tower, which will be the world’s tallest tower when completed. 

The space also houses the Chicago Gallery, located on the first floor, which will feature the rich architecture history of the city with an interactive Chicago Model Experience. Upon opening in August, CAF will officially adopt the name Chicago Architecture Center.