Tree Studios is Where the Heart is

February 13th, 2012
Managing and leasing property brings us in contact with dozens of people each year. Last month, we received a tour inquiry from a gentleman named Jim Rosenthal.  A follow up phone call revealed that his father, Charles, was an early tenant of Tree Studios and long standing member of the art community.    

While both Jim and Charles have since moved south to milder climates, their stories about this historic building remind us that Chicago and Tree Studios, in particular are extraordinary places to call home.

In 1934, an uncle introduced Charles’ father, Henry D. Rosenthal, a printer, to a well-known etcher named Morris Henry Hobbs.  The two formed a partnership under the name the Hobbs-Rosenthal Studio and took up residence in the Tree Studios Building.  An architect by trade, Hobbs found that etching was a far more lucrative business during this time.

Thanks to a mutual friend, the pair was able to cash in on Chicago’s second World’s Fair, the 1933 Century of Progress International Exposition.  Hobbs drew and etched souvenir plates that depicted the Fair’s “Rainbow City” and Henry printed them; the commemorative sets were then sold to fair-goers.

Shortly thereafter, Charles began working for his father and while the manual labor required to power the press was challenging, Charles enjoyed the work and creative energy that thrived within the walls of Tree Studios.  Even after Henry and Hobbs ended their business relationship, they continued to work together on etching and printing projects.  Charles took great interest in learning the trade, and eventually studied under Antonin Sterba, an art teacher, painter, printer maker and fellow Tree Studios tenant.

Tree Studios, 1934-1938

Although the Rosenthals moved from their studio in 1938, the camaraderie continued for years.  In a coincidental twist of fate, Charles would become a commercial printer whose largest client was Weber-Stephen Products Co., the maker of the Weber Grill.  Charles produced and printed the company’s first cookbook, and today, the company’s signature restaurant is located across the street from Tree Studios at the intersection of State and Ohio streets. 

Charles is now enjoying life in a retirement community in Arizona.  He continued to pursue his love of the arts, and has long been affiliated with the Arizona Artists Guild.  Many of the works he created during his tenure at Tree Studios can be seen in the Phoenix Art Museum.  The stories Jim shared about his father, grandfather and Mr. Hobbs make it apparent that no matter how far you may be from somewhere you called home, it can still hold a special place in your heart.

If you’d like to find a “home” for your business, The Suites Collection can help!  Visit www.thesuitescollection.com or call our Leasing Coordinator at 312.994.2700 for more information.

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