We are excited to highlight our recent work on the former Sunset Café building in the historic neighborhood of Bronzeville. In the 1920s, this humble garage structure was converted into one of Chicago’s earliest jazz clubs, featuring the likes of Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, and Benny Goodman. For almost 30 years, the integrated clubs occupying the space were a fixture of the city’s thriving South Side communities.
Most Chicagoans today likely remember the building as home to Meyers Ace Hardware, which recently ended its 95-year run in the location. The new owner has been modernizing the Landmark property, welcoming Urban Beautique beauty supply as its newest tenant. Pop by sometime to check out the original jazz age murals inside… as well as the gorgeous, long-format black brick we supplied to the new facade!
The two-texture roman brick used is comprised of 100% recycled content, and was made custom for this project by Theaster Gates‘ brick manufacturer (Greenleaf Brick). The choice worked as a landmarks-approved replacement of the original masonry, and one we suggested to connect the black history of the space to Theaster Gates’ contemporary revitalization projects in the area. These types of projects are why we get out of bed in the morning — it’s an honor to be part of this legendary building’s new chapter!
See another project we did with Gates and this unique brick here.
Read more about the building on Atlas Obscura.
Read more about the closure of Meyers Ace Hardware on WTTW.
Read more about the history of Sunset Cafe on WBEZ.
Read more about Sunset Cafe and the hardware store here.
LOCATION: 315 E 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616
This property is a Chicago Landmark.
ARCHITECT: Z. Feng Architect & Co.
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Theaster Gates’ black bricks
