63rd Street Beach House
History The 63 rd Street Beach House is an elegant Classical Revival style pavilion located on Jackson Park’s lakefront. After south side residents had complained for years that they needed a more extensive beach, the South Park Commissioners began a 10 acre extension to the park at 63rd Street in 1914.Three years later, while landfill operations were underway, South Park Commission in-house architects produced plans for the impressive building.Completed in 1919, the elegant exposed-aggregate concrete building takes full benefit of Lake Michigan with its open balconies and loggias allowing for lovely lake views and comfortable breezes.Historically, the building provided bathrooms and showers, medical rooms, and separate courtyards for men and women with hundreds of wooden changing booths.After the building suffered severe deterioration over many years, the Chicago Park District fully restored it in 2000.The open courtyards no longer possess wooden booths, but are now attractive landscaped spaces with an interactive water feature made possible by the Max Schiff Foundation.Used by beach patrons, boaters, and day campers today, the facility is also available for special events.
