Fine Arts Building
4.7(596)google
4.7(24)yelp
Historic BuildingArtPhoto Spot
Overview
The Fine Arts Building, standing proudly on Michigan Avenue since 1885, is a historic landmark celebrated as an enduring sanctuary for artists, musicians, and craftsmen. This Romanesque Revival gem features original manually operated elevators staffed by dedicated operators and historic, wood-paneled corridors filling the air with classical violin music. Walking through its historic creative studios, rare sheet music shops, and historic instrument workshops transports visitors straight back into Chicago's rich fin-de-siècle cultural renaissance.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 45-60 minutes
Best TimeHighly recommended to visit during weekday business hours or on a 'Second Friday' open studio evening. Stepping inside this 19th-century Romanesque building allows you to ride one of the last remaining manually operated elevators in America, while listening to instrument rehearsals echoing through the historic corridors.
Getting ThereLocated downtown on Michigan Avenue, directly facing Grant Park. Take the 'L' Red or Blue Lines to Jackson station, or the Purple, Brown, Pink, or Orange Lines to Library-State/Van Buren station, followed by a 2-3 minute walk.
Travel Tips
- The historic building features one of the last manually operated elevators in the US. Driven by staff operators, these vintage lift cages run slowly; expect massive queues during afternoon student rushes (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM). Allocate extra vertical transit time.
- The ground floor houses the famous independent bookstore 'Exile in Bookville'. The shop floor layout is incredibly compact; open drink containers like coffee or boba are strictly banned, and long portrait selfies with items are forbidden.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- The corridors house active violin luthiers, music studios, and artists. Sound echoes heavily throughout the historic atrium; maintain absolute silence and never point cameras inside private workrooms. Avoid opening doors lacking public signage.
Reviews
Positive
- This late 19th-century historic building oozes pure Renaissance charm, and its antique manual elevators operated by real attendants are truly legendary.
- The building houses fine artisan shops, luthier workshops, and indie studios; walking hallways filled with violin practice offers a raw, perfect art ambiance.
- It is completely free to enter, standing adjacent to Grant Park with flawless public transit links, serving as an exceptional historic hidden gem.
- The iconic courtyard layout, classical murals, and curated signage complement each other, with public restrooms kept rustic, clean, and orderly.
Heads up
- As a century-old historic landmark, the corridors are a maze-like labyrinth, and due to aged hardware, some sections lack modern air conditioning.
- Because it functions as an active artist workspace, most private studios are locked without appointments, restricting casual tourist views to doors.
- During weekday evening rush hours, the antique elevator capacity is very limited, causing long lines and frustrating waits for vertical transit.
- Set right on Michigan Avenue, free parking is nonexistent; extortionate commercial garage rates impose heavy costs on self-driving visitors.