CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Open House Chicago is going on this weekend, opening the doors to more than 170 significant sites across the city.
The Federal Reserve Bank in the Loop on LaSalle has not been open to the public since 2019, but for Open House Chicago weekend, thousands of people will show their ID to security at the front desk in the lobby, make their way through a metal detector and an x-ray screening of any bags to the great hall where tour guides like Jennifer wait.
"To me, the number one highlight is the experience of the great hall," she said.
"During the last couple years, it's gone through a restoration so you can just really appreciate the beautiful architectural detail including the gold detailing on the ceiling."
Jennifer told WBBM an original marble staircase was phased out in the 80’s, but in the great hall 12 symbolic and quite massive columns still stand.
Cliff Hawkins was at the Board of Trade Building with his daughter Devon, who is majoring in finance.
"I've never seen the vaults or the trade floor or anything, so that was really exciting to me," she said.
Open House Chicago 2023 is offering access to more than 170 sites in 20 plus neighborhoods across the city. More information can be found by visiting the Chicago Architecture Center website.
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