[7] 285 KENT operated under the DIY ethos and hosted acclaimed concerts and events spanning indie, punk, hip hop, electronic music, and other genres.
[9] During its relatively brief tenure, Patrick and Leichtung sought to book 285 KENT to expand the community for DIY events beyond its traditional privileged, white, and straight audience;[11] by seeking performances and partnerships with artists and event organizers representing LBGTQ+ communities[12][13] and people of color.
[11] The venue hosted influential events such as the queer youth club night series "TOP 8,"[14] multiple performances by Chicago Footwork pioneer DJ Rashad,[15] Blood Orange,[16] Mykki Blanco,[17] Grimes;[17] and secret shows by artists such as hip hop collective Odd Future,[18] queer R&B artist Frank Ocean,[19] Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky,[20] and others.
Previous to the opening of 285 KENT, the same unit housed the earlier creative spaces Bohemian Grove, a short-lived underground venue for electronic music events (operated by John Barclay who would later open the boutique Bushwick electronic music venue Bossa Nova Civic Club);[21][17] and Paris London West Nile, a live/work loft and avant music and performance arts venue occupied communally by several artists and musicians.
[29] The building was constructed originally as a satellite structure to the historic Domino Sugar Refinery complex, located directly across Kent Avenue to the West.