Our Humble Beginnings
Open House Atlanta is an annual, two-day festival organized by AIA Atlanta, Central Atlanta Progress and Midtown Alliance. The event partners with various sites around the city to open their doors for public tours.
With admission completely free, visitors are invited to explore new and historic buildings, learn their histories and gain a better understanding of how the built environment sustains our fast-growing city.
While most participating sites do not require reservations, a small number do. When available, advance reservations can be found here. Check back soon as we prepare for our second event on October 20-21.
Frequently Asked Questions
Founded in London, England, in 1992, Open House is a worldwide movement dedicated to engaging the public in a city’s architectural legacy. Open House Atlanta aims to promote a greater appreciation of the built environment through free access to architecturally and culturally significant sites rarely open to the public. Buildings include museums, high-rises, churches, hotels, offices and more. Atlanta, joining New York City, Chicago and San Diego, is the fourth Open House city in the United States, with more than 30 worldwide.
The 2018 festival takes place on Saturday, October 20, and Sunday, October 21.
Open House events are always free.
Generally, no. Most participating sites are open to all who show up. However, some sites have scheduled and guided tours that require reservations. Explore the sites on our website and plan your itinerary using the details provided for each site.
Participating sites include those along Peachtree Corridor, as well as in Buckhead, Midtown and Downtown neighborhoods. Most sites are easily accessible by MARTA or by bicycle and many are in walking distance of each other.
Open House Atlanta is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by Gil Prado as a way to celebrate the city and better engage the public with the built environment. In 2017, AIA Atlanta, Central Atlanta Progress and Midtown Alliance took the lead in bringing Gil’s idea to life.
Plan your itinerary by visiting our sites page, where you can filter them by neighborhood or category. You can view the official Open House Atlanta guidebook online or pick up a printed copy at our welcome kiosks (locations TBA).
Most sites allow photography, while others may prohibit tripods, videography and/or photography altogether. As a general rule, ask volunteers or staff at each location before taking photos.
Aside from walking, here are a number of transportation options for enjoying the festival:
Relay Bike Share
Get around quickly using the city’s new bike share program, with stations near most participating sites. (View station map here.)
MARTA
Save on parking fees using the public transit system. All sites are along MARTA’s Red Line (formerly known as the North-South line).
Atlanta Streetcar
In downtown, the streetcar is a fun way to get around in the Sweet Auburn Historic District.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft are reliable ways to get around, helping you avoid parking hassles and allowing you to split the cost with friends.
