A Look Inside: 2025 Chicago Fine Arts Building Tour Review

You know, there are some buildings that you just walk by a hundred times and sort of wonder about. So, the Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue is definitely one of those spots for me, anyway. It’s almost got this quiet, serious look on the outside, and to be honest, I’d always wanted to see what was really going on inside. As a matter of fact, when I heard about the 2025 ‘Inside Tour,’ I just knew I had to go. Honestly, it was a chance to finally peek behind a curtain I had been curious about for, like, a really long time. I mean, the building itself dates back to 1885, first as a showroom for Studebaker carriages, and that fact alone is kind of amazing. It became this home for artists in 1898, and you can sort of feel that history right from the street. So, this review is basically my experience walking through those famous doors and what you can really expect if you decide to take the tour yourself.

Stepping into Another Time: The Main Hallway and Old-World Feel

Okay, the moment you step off the street, it’s pretty much like you’ve traveled back a century. I mean, the shift from the noise of Michigan Avenue to the calm inside is, like, really immediate and kind of startling. The main hallway, you know, it’s not flashy but it’s just so full of character. You look down, and frankly, the tile work on the floor is just incredibly detailed, with these patterns that seem to tell their own little story. Then, right, you see the manual elevators, and honestly, they are just amazing. These aren’t the regular kind of elevators you see today; these are literally the kind with the metal cage doors and, you know, an operator who actually runs them for you. Obviously, watching the operators work their levers and get the car perfectly level with the floor is, like, a whole show by itself.

And then there’s the lighting, which is honestly very soft and warm, coming from these fixtures that are clearly from another age. It just makes the whole space feel a bit like a movie set, in a way. The walls themselves have these beautiful hand-painted murals that, at the end of the day, are just stunning to look at up close. You can see the brushstrokes and the care that went into them, you know? It’s really not just a hallway; it’s more or less an introduction to the building’s soul. As a matter of fact, the tour guide spent a good bit of time here, explaining how the building was one of the first in the city to be fireproofed, which was a pretty big deal back then. You kind of get the sense that every detail, from the mail chutes to the dark wood trim, was put there for a reason and has, like, a story behind it.

A Look Inside the Studios: Getting to know the People Inside

So, the next part of the tour is really the heart of the experience, as I was saying. You actually get to go up in one of those old elevators and, like, walk the floors where artists are still working today. It’s almost a little strange because it’s a living, breathing space, not just a museum. For instance, we got to peek into a luthier’s workshop, and the smell of wood and varnish was just incredible. Honestly, it was so cool to see violins and cellos in different states of repair, with all the tools just laid out. The luthier, a very kind man, talked to us for a few minutes about his work, and you know, his passion for it was just so clear. He pretty much showed us a piece of wood that would someday become the front of a viola.

Then, like, just down the hall, we walked by a painter’s studio. I mean, the door was open, and you could see these massive canvases filled with color leaning against the walls. We didn’t go in that one, but just seeing the artist’s space, the paint splatters on the floor, and stuff, it just felt really personal and authentic. At the end of the day, you understand that this building isn’t just about history; it’s about the present, too. You can sometimes hear the faint sound of a piano or a singer practicing, and it just adds to the atmosphere. It’s a very active, creative place. The guide was great about it, you know, reminding us to be respectful since these are people’s actual workspaces. It really made the whole thing feel more special and a little less like a standard tourist stop, to be honest.

“It’s one thing to read about history, but it’s another thing to literally stand in a space where creative people have worked for over 125 years. You just sort of feel that energy in the walls.”

The Hidden Theaters: A View of the Venetian and Studebaker Spaces

Frankly, one of the biggest surprises for me on this tour was getting to see the two theaters tucked away inside the building. Seriously, I had no idea they were even there. First, we got a look at the Studebaker Theater, which has been restored and is just, like, absolutely beautiful. I mean, sitting in one of the seats and looking at the stage, you could just imagine what it must have been like a hundred years ago. The guide actually pointed out the amazing acoustics and some of the original design features that are still there. It’s a very grand space but it also feels quite intimate, you know?

Next, we went to see the space that was the Venetian Room, and honestly, that was kind of different. So, it’s not a working theater anymore, and it has this feeling of faded elegance that is just really captivating, in a way. You can see where the stage was and where the beautiful decorations used to be, and it’s almost like a ghost of a performance space. As a matter of fact, our guide told some great stories about the shows that happened there and the people who performed on its stage. To be honest, standing in that quiet, empty room was one of my favorite parts of the whole tour. It just felt so full of untold stories and, you know, a bit of mystery. It was a really good reminder that buildings like this have, like, so many different lives and secrets hidden away on their different floors.

Discovering Architectural Secrets and Little Details

Beyond the big rooms and the studios, what really made this tour special for me were all the little things you would, like, totally miss on your own. For example, the stairwells are actually kind of beautiful. They’re not just for getting from floor to floor; they have these gracefully curved iron railings and worn marble steps that just feel so solid and permanent. You kind of wonder how many people have walked up and down them over the decades. I mean, the guide pointed out these amazing details in the woodwork that you wouldn’t notice at first glance.

There was also some amazing stained glass hidden away in some of the hallway windows, casting these little patches of colored light onto the floor, which was really pretty. And then there are the original mailboxes and letter slots, still there in the walls. They are just such a cool throwback. It’s sort of like the building refuses to completely let go of its past, which I honestly found very charming. It is a structure that wants you to slow down and really look. At the end of the day, these small architectural touches are what give the building its deep sense of personality. It’s just not a generic box; it’s a place where you can tell that people really cared about craftsmanship and making something that would last. It’s definitely a building made for people who appreciate the smaller details in life.

Is the 2025 Tour a Good Choice? My Thoughts and Some Tips

So, at the end of the day, would I recommend this tour? Absolutely, yes, especially if you have, like, any interest in Chicago history, architecture, or art. Honestly, it’s a very unique experience that feels much more personal than your typical city tour. It’s not about seeing famous sights from a bus; it’s about, you know, stepping into a world that is usually closed to the public. For instance, art students or aspiring artists would probably find it really inspiring. People who love old buildings will just be in heaven, frankly.

A few practical things to know, by the way. The tour is about 90 minutes long, which felt just about right. You definitely want to wear comfortable shoes because you will be doing a fair amount of walking and standing. And I mean, you definitely need to book your tickets online in advance; they seem to sell out pretty quickly, so you can’t just show up. The groups are kept fairly small, which is great because it means you can actually hear the guide and ask questions without, you know, shouting. As a matter of fact, the smaller group size makes it feel more like you’re being shown around by a friend than just being on a commercial tour. So, basically, just plan a little ahead, and you’ll have a really memorable time.

Key Takeaways from the Tour

Thinking back on it all, it was a really special look inside a Chicago landmark. It’s so much more than a building; it’s a community and a piece of living history. Honestly, it changed the way I see that whole block of Michigan Avenue. I feel like I’m in on a cool secret now.

The tour provides a genuine, behind-the-scenes look at a historic, active arts building, not just a sterile museum.
You get to see and appreciate the work of operating elevators from another time, which is, like, a really unique experience in itself.
Seeing the contrast between the beautifully restored Studebaker Theater and the atmospheric, untouched Venetian Room space is a real highlight.
The passion of the residents, from musicians to craftspeople, is really clear and adds a very human element to the tour.
You should really book in advance, as tour groups are small and fill up quickly.

Read our full review: 2025 Inside Tour of Chicago’s Fine Arts Building Full Review and Details

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