Equity Arts
A vision for a mission-driven creative hub that celebrates and maintains Wicker Park as a vibrant hub for artists, galleries, and small businesses.
Equity Arts is a four-story historic building on Milwaukee Ave, known as the Lubinski Furniture building. This multi-generational project also aims to preserve the heritage of Chicago’s contemporary art and house music. With the help of a Chicago Recovery Grant is a proposed renovation that creates a new model for arts and cultural space in a rapidly changing neighborhood. The building is included in the Chicago Historic Resources Survey as Level Orange and it is part of both, Wicker Park Historic District by The National Register of Historic Places and The Milwaukee Avenue District by The Chicago Landmark District.
The building is over 40,000 square feet, and since the mid 90’s, has been a home to artists and creatives in gallery and studio space. The proposed renovation will transform the ground floor into a creative hub that brings together retail incubators, galleries, and art organizations. Upper floors will continue as spaces for local artists with upgraded building systems to meet contemporary building code and life-safety standards.
News & Recognition
Bloomberg CityLab
“One Strategy for the Arts to Beat Gentrification: Buy the Building”
Info
Location: Wicker Park, Chicago
Client: Equity Arts
Progress/Year: Proposed, 2023
Team
Structural Engineer: Rockey Structures
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineer: Calor Design Group
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