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Theatergoers leave the Studebaker Theatre in the Fine Arts Building after a matinee performance on Jan. 29, 1975. The city''s Building Department ordered the theatre closed because of alleged building fire and electrical violations.
Don Casper/Chicago Tribune
Theatergoers leave the Studebaker Theatre in the Fine Arts Building after a matinee performance on Jan. 29, 1975. The city”s Building Department ordered the theatre closed because of alleged building fire and electrical violations.

Vintage: The Fine Arts Building

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Theatergoers leave the Studebaker Theatre in the Fine Arts Building after a matinee performance on Jan. 29, 1975. The city's Building Department ordered the theatre closed because of alleged building fire and electrical violations.
Theatergoers leave the Studebaker Theatre in the Fine Arts Building after a matinee performance on Jan. 29, 1975. The city’s Building Department ordered the theatre closed because of alleged building fire and electrical violations.
The Fine Arts Building, shown here on July 22, 1986, began as a building for the Studebaker Co. in the late 1800s.
The Fine Arts Building, shown here on July 22, 1986, began as a building for the Studebaker Co. in the late 1800s.
Two of these brothers founded the wagon-making firm of H&C Studebaker, the forerunner of Studebaker Corp. The other brothers later joined the firm, which in 1868 became the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Co. Seated are Clement, from left, Henry, John M. Studebaker. Standing is Peter and J.F. Studebaker.
Two of these brothers founded the wagon-making firm of H&C Studebaker, the forerunner of Studebaker Corp. The other brothers later joined the firm, which in 1868 became the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Co. Seated are Clement, from left, Henry, John M. Studebaker. Standing is Peter and J.F. Studebaker.
Murals adorn the Fine Arts Building's 10th floor on July 22, 1986.
Murals adorn the Fine Arts Building’s 10th floor on July 22, 1986.
The hall and entrance to the Studebaker Theatre on the ground floor of the Fine Arts Building is seen on June 1, 1977.
The hall and entrance to the Studebaker Theatre on the ground floor of the Fine Arts Building is seen on June 1, 1977.
The Fine Arts Building in the early 1900s when it was home to Maurice Browne's renowned Chicago Little Theater.
The Fine Arts Building in the early 1900s when it was home to Maurice Browne’s renowned Chicago Little Theater.
Clotilde Rosenthal poses next to a piano in the John Bovino Studio at the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, circa 1927.
Clotilde Rosenthal poses next to a piano in the John Bovino Studio at the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, circa 1927.
The Venetian courtyard in the Fine Arts Building once housed the Piccadilly, one of the city's most elegant tea rooms, July 22, 1986.
The Venetian courtyard in the Fine Arts Building once housed the Piccadilly, one of the city’s most elegant tea rooms, July 22, 1986.
Students, parents and music lovers were ousted from the top floors of the Fine Arts Building when a fire broke out in the penthouse on March 31, 1970, in Chicago. Students from the Conservatory of Music were giving a concert on the eighth floor at the time.
Students, parents and music lovers were ousted from the top floors of the Fine Arts Building when a fire broke out in the penthouse on March 31, 1970, in Chicago. Students from the Conservatory of Music were giving a concert on the eighth floor at the time.
George Perlman, with violin student Jennifer Turner, 12, had been a tenant of the Fine Arts Building since the 1920s. The two are photographed in June 1986.
George Perlman, with violin student Jennifer Turner, 12, had been a tenant of the Fine Arts Building since the 1920s. The two are photographed in June 1986.
The Harrington Institute of Design shows the Fine Arts Building's mix of details on Nov. 11, 1989.
The Harrington Institute of Design shows the Fine Arts Building’s mix of details on Nov. 11, 1989.
The words “All Passes — Art Alone Endures” is above the doorway on the main floor of the Fine Arts Building in Chicago on Oct. 23, 1989.
Students practice in the Dancespace's eighth-floor studio in the Fine Arts Building on July 22, 1986, in Chicago.
Students practice in the Dancespace’s eighth-floor studio in the Fine Arts Building on July 22, 1986, in Chicago.
A door in the Fine Arts Building shows the New Opera Co. of Chicago on Nov. 4, 1989.
A door in the Fine Arts Building shows the New Opera Co. of Chicago on Nov. 4, 1989.
Theatergoers leave the Studebaker Theatre in the Fine Arts Building after a matinee performance on Jan. 29, 1975.
Theatergoers leave the Studebaker Theatre in the Fine Arts Building after a matinee performance on Jan. 29, 1975.
A person eats lunch near the doorway of the north lobby in the Fine Arts Building in Chicago on Oct. 11, 1989.
A person eats lunch near the doorway of the north lobby in the Fine Arts Building in Chicago on Oct. 11, 1989.
The Fine Arts Building will be auctioned to satisfy the $518,487 income tax delinquency of Abraham Teitelbaum, Jan. 4, 1952. Editors note: This historic print shows crop marks on the photo.
The Fine Arts Building will be auctioned to satisfy the $518,487 income tax delinquency of Abraham Teitelbaum, Jan. 4, 1952. Editors note: This historic print shows crop marks on the photo.
A door in the Fine Arts Building shows the office of Frank J. Rumoro on Nov. 4, 1989.
A door in the Fine Arts Building shows the office of Frank J. Rumoro on Nov. 4, 1989.
Students, parents and music lovers had to evacuate the top floors of the Fine Arts Building when a fire broke out in the penthouse on March 31, 1970, in Chicago. Students from the Conservatory of Music were giving a concert on the eighth floor at the time.
Students, parents and music lovers had to evacuate the top floors of the Fine Arts Building when a fire broke out in the penthouse on March 31, 1970, in Chicago. Students from the Conservatory of Music were giving a concert on the eighth floor at the time.
The Fine Arts Building marquee is updated with new film titles by theater manager Jerry Siebel on Dec. 22, 1982, in Chicago.
The Fine Arts Building marquee is updated with new film titles by theater manager Jerry Siebel on Dec. 22, 1982, in Chicago.
Charles Panagos, left, teaches singing to Christina Alvarado, a student at Columbia College, in the Fine Arts Building in Chicago on Oct. 11, 1989.
Charles Panagos, left, teaches singing to Christina Alvarado, a student at Columbia College, in the Fine Arts Building in Chicago on Oct. 11, 1989.
The hallways outside Curtiss Hall on the 10th floor of the Fine Arts Building are filled with people waiting to audition on Nov. 4, 1989, in Chicago.
The hallways outside Curtiss Hall on the 10th floor of the Fine Arts Building are filled with people waiting to audition on Nov. 4, 1989, in Chicago.
Mike Badon is in charge of the Notre Dame Room in the Fine Arts Building, a storage room in the basement filled with memorabilia, seen here Oct. 11, 1989.
Mike Badon is in charge of the Notre Dame Room in the Fine Arts Building, a storage room in the basement filled with memorabilia, seen here Oct. 11, 1989.
A door in the Fine Arts Building shows the Chicago chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Nov. 4, 1989.
A door in the Fine Arts Building shows the Chicago chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Nov. 4, 1989.
The Fine Arts Building, shown here in 1986, was originally designed for carriages and wagons in the late 1800s.
The Fine Arts Building, shown here in 1986, was originally designed for carriages and wagons in the late 1800s.
Dawn Herron teaches dancers at the Rosemary Doolas Studio on the eighth floor of the Fine Arts Building on Nov. 4, 1989, in Chicago.
Dawn Herron teaches dancers at the Rosemary Doolas Studio on the eighth floor of the Fine Arts Building on Nov. 4, 1989, in Chicago.
Aspiring artists at Nelida Art Studio are seen on June 1, 1977, at the Fine Arts Building.
Aspiring artists at Nelida Art Studio are seen on June 1, 1977, at the Fine Arts Building.
The Fine Arts Building's main floor lobby, shown here on July 22, 1986, is a reminder that the building began as a Studebaker dealership.
The Fine Arts Building’s main floor lobby, shown here on July 22, 1986, is a reminder that the building began as a Studebaker dealership.
Concession stand workers serve theatergoers on June 18, 1988, at the Fine Arts Building in Chicago.
Concession stand workers serve theatergoers on June 18, 1988, at the Fine Arts Building in Chicago.

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