SAH Chicago tour of the Fine Arts Building

The Society of Architectural Historians - Chicago Chapter provides access to exclusive, behind the scenes tours and experiences you can't get anywhere else and the annual basic membership is just $25.

Recent tours have included a reception at the Driehaus Estate on Geneva Lake, tours of William LeBarron Jenney's buildings on the centennial of his death - culminating in the dedication of a new memorial at Graceland Cemetery and we are cooking up a fall schedule with leaders in design in Chicago and exclusive tours. We usually wind up with refreshments and great conversation. Here are pictures from the SAH behind the scenes tour of the Fine Arts Building (the Studebaker) on Michigan Avenue.

Exterior of the Fine ArtsBuilding with minimal copper parapet (the original was 6 feet deep)

Main Hall where we waited for Art Films

includes incredible Faux Marbre and Mosaic

And here also - impresario Nathan Mason

The "secret" interior courtyard (venetian court) with fountain

The Studebakers saw the end of The Building's usefullness as a carriage showcase and entered into a deal with the Auditorium Building developers that included access through bothe buildings. This is a rare, early easement that continues to this day. The buildings are connected through unused halls like this.

Unfortunately, the large theatre is unused and is falling into disrepair.

Here's a fragment of it's cinematic past left untouched - waiting.