Smash Studios and The Music Building Launch Chicago’s New Premier Music Hub in the West Loop
Chicago’s creative pulse just got a jolt worthy of a stadium encore. Two giants of the independent music world, The Music Building and Smash Studios, have officially joined forces to launch a new era for artists in the Midwest. It’s a collision of legacy, grit, and future-forward ambition that feels perfectly at home in the city that gave us everything from Muddy Waters to Kanye West.
Born in 1979, The Music Building became the gravitational center of New York City’s indie universe, a hive where early-era Madonna, a sneering Billy Idol, and The Strokes sharpened their teeth. Smash Studios followed in 1989, raising the bar with its sleek, cutting-edge performance and production spaces that attracted legends ranging from Paul McCartney to Post Malone. Together, they arrive in Chicago with nearly eighty years of combined credibility and an artist-driven ethos baked into their DNA.
The sprawling new Chicago facility lands in the West Loop, just a guitar string’s vibration away from Fulton Market’s buzzing restaurants and after-hours energy. Inside, the renovated complex sprawls across more than 115 studios, with a shape-shifting mix of hourly and monthly rehearsal rooms, production suites, lounge spaces built for collaboration, and performance-ready rooms engineered for artists at every stage.
Smash Studios will run the hourly and lockout rehearsal spaces, while The Music Building will helm the long-term studios. But the real spark comes from what’s next: Smash Studios is gearing up to launch new showcases aimed at spotlighting undiscovered artists. Translation: Chicago creatives are about to get their shot on a much bigger stage.
The transformation also honors the heritage of the Music Garage, the beloved West Loop institution that has served as a creative home for Chicago musicians for two decades. Its legacy isn’t erased; it’s amplified, tuned up, and plugged into the city’s next generation.
“For nearly five decades, The Music Building has been the foundation of New York’s independent music scene,” says Roget Lerner, president of The Music Building. “Expanding to Chicago allows us to continue that legacy while also honoring and building upon the Music Garage’s own history. Together, we’re creating a space that not only continues these traditions but provides the next generation of Chicago musicians with a space to create, collaborate, and thrive.”
“Chicago has always had deep musical roots and an incredible artist community,” adds Smash Studios founder Clay Sheff. “This facility gives us the opportunity to deliver a world-class creative experience that reflects the spirit of this city while building on everything we’ve cultivated in New York.”
With its mix of history, innovation, and raw artistic energy, The Music Building Chicago is shaping up to be a new landmark for musicians hungry to push boundaries and carve out something loud, honest, and unforgettable.
The Music Building Chicago
345 N. Loomis Street
Chicago, IL 60607
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