Within the Fine Arts Building, sounds such as pianos and opera singing drifting through its corridors are part of its atmospheric aura. Soon, the aroma of brewing coffee will add to the sensory mix.
Groundswell Coffee Roasters is expected to open in the Fine Arts Building next week — pending final city inspections — marking the first cafe in the Downtown architectural landmark since its Artist’s Cafe closed in 2019.
“We’ve been waiting for this for quite some time,” painter and art teacher Don Yang said at a preview for tenants last week.
Yang started renting a studio in the historic building 13 years ago. He expects his students will stop by the cafe, and parents who drop off children for lessons will have a place to wait.
Groundswell will open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to serve building tenants, as well as local college students and visitors. The cafe, 410 S. Michigan Ave., spans about 1,000 square feet and will offer food and beverages.
Fine Arts Building tenants include more than 140 visual artists, musicians, writers, dancers and small businesses such as psychologists and a yoga studio, as well as organizations such as the Jazz Institute of Chicago. The 10-story building is also home to the Studebaker Theater where NPR does live tapings of quiz show “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!”
Since the Fine Arts Building opened in 1898, tenants have included architect Frank Lloyd Wright and Wizard of Oz illustrator William Denslow.
Groundswell’s launch continues a revitalization for the building, including a multimillion-dollar restoration of the Studebaker Theater from 2021 to 2023.
More plans are ahead. The building expects to eventually open a restaurant in the storefront vacated by the Artist’s Cafe, Jacob Harvey, Fine Arts Building’s managing artistic director, said.
Groundswell’s bright space was designed by Hammersley Architecture, with interior design by Gooch Design Studio. Both are Fine Arts Building tenants.
Hammersley Architecture previously worked on the Studebaker Theater’s renovation. The cafe shares design motifs with the Studebaker, such as wood paneling and metal grating found in the theater.
Groundswell’s contemporary decor retains the art deco vibe of the Fine Arts Building. The cafe features patterned wall tiles, light fixtures similar to ones in studios and a gilt-framed mirror from an elevator originally in the space.
The Fine Arts Building was created from the former Studebaker Carriage Co. headquarters, which originally built and displayed carriages there from 1887.
While retail and office vacancies in the Loop remain high, the building is 98% occupied and is “alive and thriving,” Harvey said. There is a long wait list for potential tenants.
And the number of visitors is growing. Last year, the Studebaker Theater had more than 70,000 patrons. More are expected this year, Harvey said.
The building hosts open studios on the second Friday of the month. Five years ago, the event drew about 40 visitors. Now, more than 500 come, Harvey said. He cited robust marketing by the building, as well as word of mouth for the strong growth.
Groundswell, founded in 2015, has locations in Ravenswood and West Loop.
“I had been exploring opportunities in unique, authentic — even historic — spaces,” Groundswell owner Jason Foster said.
The building’s owner Erica Berger approached him about opening a third Groundswell.
“The chance to become part of such an iconic building on Michigan Avenue felt like exactly the opportunity I’d been waiting for,” Foster said.
Groundswell’s new location will have six employees.
Kristin Ramirez, co-owner of book shop Exile in Bookville in the Fine Arts Building, said the surrounding area has few bars, restaurants and especially independent cafes.
“Groundswell fills a major void. Our customers ask us multiple times, daily, if there are any good coffee shops nearby. While there is a Dunkin’ Donuts next to our building, customers often prefer to support small and local independent businesses,” Ramirez said.
“With a robust theater program and our author events, Groundswell will be a welcome and exciting addition to our building,” she said.
Avni Patel and James Lewan, of A28 Architecture, have been tenants for four years.
“The building is like Hogwarts. It has a magic to it. It inspires creativity,” Patel said.
Now, Groundswell provides another space for meetings or impromptu chats.
“It’s quite inspiring to catch a conversation with another artist,” she said. “That’s what was missing since the Artist’s Cafe closed.”
Artist Lou Ann Burkhardt has rented a studio in the building for about two decades.
Groundswell’s independent nature fits well in the Fine Arts Building at a time when “people are looking for something that gives them hope,” Burkhardt said. “A community of the arts is important.”
