Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) announced today that Urbana Cafe will temporarily relocate to CAC’s lobby cafe space beginning in early April 2026.
Urbana will operate seven days a week, activating CAC’s lobby as a welcoming, daily destination for museum visitors, downtown workers, residents, and passersby. The partnership brings together two downtown institutions committed to accessibility, creativity, and community – enhancing the visitor experience at CAC while allowing Urbana to continue uninterrupted service during construction at its current Atlas Building location.
Urbana first opened in the Atlas Building four years ago at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, partnering with Urban Sites to bring life to downtown during a period of significant transition.
“Those early days were quiet – but we believed in downtown and what this space could become,” said Daniel Noguera, Founder and President of Urbana Cafe. “Over time, the cafe grew into a place filled with connection and everyday rituals that make a neighborhood feel like home.”
Urban Sites is now converting the Atlas Building into residential apartments, an important investment in downtown living that will require significant construction and disruption to café operations.
“CAC has always seen itself as a living room for the city – a place where art, ideas, and people come together,” said Carolyn Hefner, Chief of External Affairs at CAC. “Partnering with Urbana strengthens that vision by adding a daily ritual to the museum experience, inviting people to linger, connect, and return.”
Urbana will operate in CAC’s lobby through Summer 2027, with service beginning in early April 2026. Additional updates, including build-out progress and the potential for outdoor seating, will be shared in the coming weeks.