South Asia Institute is located in the landmark Motor Row area of Chicago. This area is part of the Prairie District that is considered the location where the City of Chicago began. The area is dotted with early settlement houses and old mansions, and is conveniently located midway between the McCormick Place Exhibition Center and the Downtown Business District. Just beyond the Cultural Mile, this neighborhood has been designated as the new Art and Entertainment District of the City of Chicago. This part of the city has seen a tremendous renaissance in the past ten years with major colleges and universities such as Columbia College, Roosevelt University and East West University coming up. The neighborhood has also seen a recent influx of young professionals and their families; highrise and midrise residential developments exist in harmony with seats of higher learning and art related projects. Several artists are relocating their workspaces and residences to the area.
Built in 1911 in the second empire style of architecture, the building that houses South Asia Institute is a registered national landmark. It was originally built for the B.F. Goodrich warehouse and sales center to cater to the automotive needs of the general public and the automobile showrooms that dotted this area at the turn of the last century. Recently, the terracotta façade of the building has been painstakingly restored to its original magnificence and grandeur.
The interior has been extensively renovated to create spaces for art exhibitions, cultural and musical performances, film screenings, lectures and seminars, a research library, gift shop and accommodation for short term artist residencies.
There is ample event space for meetings, corporate events, social events and weddings.
