Thursday, January 24, 2013

PianoForte Studios Moving down to 1335 S. Michigan?

Vacant building at 1335 S. Michigan that supposedly will be the new home of PianoForte Studios
A big, vacant building on South Michigan may have a new occupant if a reader on our message board is correct:
ARTS ON THE MOVE: PianoForte Studios, a piano store that does business in the Fine Arts Building at 408 S. Michigan, has purchased its own building. Represented by real estate broker DTZ, PianoForte bought an 11,000-square-foot, three-story building at 1335 S. Michigan. Property records show the building sold for $1.15 million. The store plans to be in the new space this summer.
While we're not 100% sure about the source, it's a nice development if true.  There is still a glut of buildings/space right here and it will be nice to have one of them occupied.

PianoForte's 408 N. Michigan Address
We don't know much about PianoForte Studios, but have noticed them further North on Michigan Avenue (see image on the right).  We've even commented how strange it was to have a piano store in such a prime location.

Based on what we've read they will be a good neighbor as they also have a foundation with a noble mission:  
PianoForte Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of the piano in Chicago and creating a vibrant piano community that closely connects audiences and artists. We bring excitement and appreciation for piano music to a wide audience through high-quality concerts, festivals, competitions, education, outreach, and public broadcasts.
As a piano player and general admirer of the instrument (and all things music) it's exciting to have them move into the Sloop.  Especially since they will bring life to a stretch that isn't currently very easy on the eye.  Hopefully they can change that!

For those of you who would like more information on PianoForte, we found this video on their website from a CBS2:


(Hat tip:  South Loopr)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

"We've even commented how strange it was to have a piano store in such a prime location."

It actually makes a lot of sense where Piano Forte is right now. The Fine Arts building at 410 S. Michigan is home to a number of musicians, artists, dancers, and other similar professions including the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. Moving down the street actually moves them away from their potential clients/users.

Anonymous said...

"We're not 100% sure of the source..."

Here's an idea: just call PianoForte Studios and ask them. Tell them you are with Sloopin South Loop Blog and ask if they would like to comment on the rumors. Done.

JamesHorns said...

How I hope this is true!!!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
"We're not 100% sure of the source..."

Here's an idea: just call PianoForte Studios and ask them. Tell them you are with Sloopin South Loop Blog and ask if they would like to comment on the rumors. Done.
________________________

Go for it dude!

Anonymous said...

who cares....its a &*$#ing piano store get over it

Anonymous said...

Golf clap! Great news for the Sloop! They'll bring some more foot traffic to the area. It'll be easy for people to grab dinner or drinks pre or post-concert at the corner of 14th & Michigan at any of those newer bars/restaurants or @ Firehouse. Looks like with PianoForte, the new eyebrow place and the UPS store, the east side of Michigan /south of Roosevelt is picking up with different types of businesses in 2013.


Anonymous said...

This is definitely true. I was shopping for a piano lastvweek at PianoForte and the salesman told me all about the move. They're going to make concerts a regular feature as well as selling pianos.