Celebrate the Fina Arts Building, a Jewel on Michigan Avenue by Frank Meccia

Many Chicagoans need to realize that  the jewel of South Michigan Avenue. at 401 S. Michigan Ave, a historic building built in 1885 that received landmark status in 1978, is one of the first skyscrapers built in Chicago and is known as The Fine Arts Building, which at one time was known as the Studebaker Carriages and Harnesses Corporation. The Fine Arts Building was originally a carriage assembly plant and showroom for the Studebaker Company. It was designed by Solon Spencer Beman and opened in 1885. Most people remember the Studebaker as a car, roadster, and one of the first electric cars (move over Tesla). yet, its beginnings were in the Horse and Buggy business. An extensive 1898 remodeling converted it into a home for what is now one of the nation’s oldest artist communities, celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Its rented studios, offices, and shops have housed some of the city’s most illustrious literary and artistic talents, including Frank Lloyd Wright, sculptor Lorado Taft, and Wizard of Oz illustrator W. W. Denslow. The interior features stunning Art Nouveau decorative details and murals dating from the 1898 renovation.

Anybody that deals with fine art can be found here at the Fine Arts Building. Do you have a string instrument that needs to be repaired or refurbished? How about music lessons, puppet design, fine art studios, glass and crystal dance, music lessons, and more? All of this can be accomplished in this building.

Besides all of its music and art studios, this building’s crown jewel is the 1,500-seat Studebaker Hall, also referred to as The Studebaker Theatre. Restored in 2022, this hall is home to live theatre, concerts, and recitals. I had my first piano recital in that building in 1965 with my brothers and sisters. That stage seemed enormous back then, with just one black grand piano and me. These memories came back Friday when the Fine Arts Building celebrated 125 years of “All Passes- Art Alone Endures. “Celebration. To start this open house celebration to the public, original piano music from the celebration back in 1898 was performed under the supervision of concert pianist Dr. Yulia Lipmanovich. It was over an hour of great music, such as Beethoven’s Piano Sonata #8, his Grande Sonata OP# 13, to Mozart and Bach. Dr. Lipmanovich also has a studio and provides lessons at the Fine Arts Center. I was able to sit in the balcony section, and most people do not realize that to enjoy the music, you sit up high and away because music travels. The balcony has excellent seats, tables, and a bar serving premium alcohol.

The Fine Arts Building is alive to the public with paid and free events.” Try out the Second Fridays” open studios event is back. Tour the building and engage with current tenants to discover fine art, books, musical instruments, classes, and more. There is also the Chicago International Puppet Theatre festival, and don’t forget to select Thursdays when” Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! is NPR’s Peabody Award-winning quiz show. With Host Peter Sagal leads a panel of comedians, contestants, and celebrity guests through a wild review of the week’s news”. So much is happening at this building; with discounted parking across the street at Grant Park, there is no better way to embrace what is happening in this city. Plenty of holiday events are being planned for all ages. To see all that is going on or sign up for their free tours to this building, be prepared to walk; there are ten floors of shops and galleries, only one elevator, and plenty of stairs. To learn more, go to www.fineartsbuilding.com. My few words can barely scrape the many things and stories of 125 years of history in one building. Except get out and discover this city we call home.
Story BY: Frank Meccia