Fine Arts Building – Chicago

Last week I went on a Chicago Detours tour of downtown buildings that were in existence during the 1893 World’s Fair (Columbian Exposition). That is how I discovered the Fine Arts Building, aka the Studebaker Building.

The Fine Arts Building is a ten story building located at 410 S. Michigan Avenue (across from Grant Park and on the same street as the Congress Plaza Hotel and several renowned universities, including Roosevelt University, Columbia College and Spertus College). Located in an area that is arguably one of the most scenically beautiful spots in Chicago. The Fine Arts Building is beautiful as well, so it fits in perfectly with the area.

It was built in 1884 and designed by architect Solon Spencer Beman in the Romanesque style.  It originally only had eight stories, but in 1898 the eighth floor was removed and three new floors were added. That renovation also included the addition of Art Nouveau murals and other artwork on individual floors of the building.

The building was originally the Studebaker carriage sales and manufacturing site. In 1896  the Studebaker family converted the building into studios for artists, musicians and architects. Frank Lloyd Wright had an office in the building. It also became home to the women’s suffrage movement and the Arts and Crafts movement. The building also houses the Studebaker Theatre, aka Studebaker Hall dedicated in 1898. The venue has featured orchestra, plays, live TV shows and ballet performances over the years.

When you enter the lobby of the building you automatically feel like you’ve taken a step back in time to the late 1800s, because although the building is well maintained, it was not completely renovated. It probably looks very much like it did in the late 1800s. It’s the only building in downtown Chicago that still has manually operated elevators with elevator operators. The lobby level houses the Artists Cafe, which is a classic Greek family restaurant. The rest of the building contains mostly businesses and shops related to the arts, such as recording studios, performance studios, violin makers studios, bookstores, record stores and a yoga studio. You can hear the sounds of various instruments being played as you make your way through the building. The building was designated a Chicago Landmark on June 7, 1978.

I enjoyed the feel of the building so much that I wish I could open a shop there. I would be perfectly happy doing that, but I’m not an artist, musician or business owner, so instead I think I’ll just take a yoga class there!