Carl Street Studios facts for kids
The Carl Street Studios is a special group of buildings in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. It's famous for its unique artistic design. It was created by two artists, Sol Kogen and Edgar Miller. They wanted to build a place where artists could live and work.
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A Mansion's Beginning
The Carl Street Studios complex began as a single, large house. This three-story mansion was built in the 1880s. Back then, the area was a fancy neighborhood. Many wealthy families lived in big Victorian houses. The original house looked much like other grand homes from that time.
But in the 1910s and 1920s, the neighborhood changed. Many immigrant families moved in. Some of the big mansions, including the one on Carl Street, were divided into smaller apartments. Some even started to look a bit run down.
Sol Kogen and Edgar Miller: The Visionaries
After World War I, two creative art students met. Their names were Sol Kogen and Edgar Miller. They became good friends at the Art Institute of Chicago. Sol Kogen came from a successful family. He later traveled to Paris, France, and was inspired by its artistic neighborhoods.
Around 1927, Sol Kogen had an idea. He wanted to create a special place in Chicago for artists. It would be a studio where modern art could grow and thrive. He asked his friend, Edgar Miller, to help him.
Edgar Miller was a very talented artist. He was known for his modern art. He worked with many different materials. These included oil painting, watercolor, pastels, murals, sculpture, and stained glass. He even won an award for his stained glass work. Miller also had a small art gallery. He showed his own art there, along with works by other modern artists.
Building the Dream Studios
In 1927, Sol Kogen bought the old mansion on Carl Street. He asked Edgar Miller to help turn it into a beautiful art studio complex. Their main idea was to create unique art apartments. These apartments would open onto shared outdoor spaces. These spaces would have gardens, fountains, and even koi fish ponds. And, of course, lots of art!
Kogen and Miller wanted the studios to be works of art themselves. They weren't just functional spaces. They invited other artists to help build the complex. These artists included John W. Norton, Edgar Britton, and Jesus Torres. In return for their help, these artists could live in the studios for free.
Work started in 1927. The artists completely changed the old mansion. Edgar Miller designed the inside of the studio units. He even used the basement as living areas. This was a new idea at the time. Many units had two levels, like a duplex. This gave them lofted bedrooms and art studio spaces.
The artists used special materials for the building. They found many high-quality items from old mansions that were being torn down. They also used materials from the 1933-34 Century of Progress International Exposition. This was a big fair where many of the artists had contributed their work.
The studios have many unique features. They have tall windows made of stained or painted glass. The walls, fireplaces, and floors are decorated with murals and carved wood. You can also see colorful marbles, terrazzo, and special tiles everywhere. There's also decorative copper, iron, and steel work. Each apartment door is unique, often with hand-carved designs by Edgar Miller and Jesus Torres.
After finishing the mansion, the artists built more buildings. These new buildings created a beautiful courtyard in the middle. They also added artistic touches like interesting brickwork, mosaics, and wood carvings. Even the sidewalk in front of the building is special. It's made of colorful tiles and marbles. This shows visitors that Carl Street Studios is a truly unique place in Chicago.
Challenges and Changes
The stock market crash of 1929 affected Sol Kogen's money. During the Great Depression, he needed the studios to make money. This meant the focus shifted a bit from "art for art's sake." Kogen wanted to make the studios smaller to fit more paying renters. This caused some disagreements between Kogen and Miller. By 1936, Miller stopped working on the project. At this time, Edgar Miller was also very busy with other art projects. After Miller left, Jesus Torres, who was Miller's main helper, continued much of the art work.
Later Years and Legacy
In the late 1950s, Sol Kogen passed away. His wife and then his daughter managed the apartments. In 1985, Sol's daughter sold the building. The new owner found Edgar Miller in California. He invited Miller back to finish the project he started so long ago. Miller was happy to return. He lived in the complex and created more stained glass, murals, and art pieces until he died in 1993 at age 94.
Gardens have always been a big part of Carl Street Studios. From the very beginning, there were flower beds and ponds in the courtyards. Many generations of koi and goldfish have lived in these ponds. The studios and their gardens have always been a place for fun. In the early years, artists and neighbors would gather for parties. The roof gardens have also been there for a long time. They offer a nice place for residents to get together on warm summer evenings. Carl Street Studios often welcomes the public to see its magical spaces and gardens during the annual Dearborn Garden Walk.
Carl Street Studios helped shape the artistic spirit of the Old Town community. Other artists were inspired to remodel buildings nearby. This created a unique, artistic feel for the whole street. Famous artists like Boris Anisfeld and Mark Tobey have lived at Carl Street Studios. Even television pioneer David Garroway and Hollywood stars like Tallulah Bankhead have been residents or frequent guests.
Sol Kogen and Edgar Miller used to hold public art shows at the complex. They displayed works by Chicago's best modern artists. Since 1930, Carl Street Studios has been featured in many articles and books. Its unique design and fun spaces continue to surprise and delight everyone who visits.
Gallery
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Sidewalk
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Window detail
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Gate with colorful paving elements
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garden area
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garden area
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Brick Wall with a few colorful bricks
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window (viewed from the sidewalk)
