A New Magic Spot Is Turning Chicago’s Old Mansion into a Party Hub
# **Chicago’s McCormick Mansion to Rise as The Hand & The Eye: A $50 Million Temple of Wonder**
The McCormick Mansion, a Chicago landmark once home to Lawry’s Prime Rib and a whimsical Scandinavian buffet, is shedding its past to embrace a dazzling future. A 66-year-old health tech entrepreneur, injecting **$50 million** into the 36,000-square-foot space, is transforming it into **The Hand & The Eye**—a sprawling entertainment complex that defies convention.
Gone are the days of static dining or fleeting escape rooms. This is a **living museum of magic**, a place where artistry, hospitality, and illusion converge under one roof. The vision is spearheaded by **David Rockwell**, the Tony Award-winning designer behind Broadway’s *Kinky Boots* and lavish hotels like the **Ace Hotel Downtown LA**. His plan? Seven intimate theaters, each a self-contained marvel, seating between 40 to 100 guests. Inspired by **Joseph Cornell’s shadow boxes**, the spaces will feel like curated dreams—each with its own acoustics, lighting, and thematic identity.
But The Hand & The Eye is more than a stage. It’s a **sensory playground**:
- **A dozen bespoke bars**, where mixologists craft cocktails in rooms that double as art installations.
- **Upscale dining rooms** where every table setting tells a story, overseen by **Bre Smith**, the executive vice-president tasked with blending old-world charm with modern precision.
- **"Mixing chambers"**—social hubs where members and visitors alike can sip, converse, and lose themselves in the ambiance.
Magic Reimagined: A Hybrid of Exclusivity and Public Wonder
Chicago already hums with smaller magic venues like The Magic Lounge and The Magic Parlour, but none match the ambition of The Hand & The Eye. This complex bridges the gap between exclusive members’ club and public spectacle:
- Members enter through a private portal, enjoying secluded bars, curated show selections, and VIP perks.
- Regular guests pay a single ticket (starting at $225) that includes dinner, drinks, and a three-hour immersive magic performance.
- The venue will operate daily, even in winter, banking on its allure to keep the doors open and the city alive after dark.
Preserving the Past While Crafting the Future
The mansion’s historic staircase and fireplace remain untouched, anchoring the new design in its storied past. Yet modernity isn’t ignored:
- A cloakroom with memory technology (yes, it remembers your coat).
- Modern amenities tucked seamlessly into the gilded interiors.
- The owner’s bet? That this luxury investment will radiate stability, spurring neighboring businesses to revitalize the area.
A Stage for Performers, A Wonder for All
This isn’t just another night out—it’s a passion project with a higher purpose. The Hand & The Eye will house:
- Houdini’s legendary milk can, a nod to magic’s golden age.
- Custom-scented rooms, designed to deepen the experience.
- A permanent home for performers, where talent can thrive without the grind of transient gigs.
The soft launch is set for April 18, with the full website rolling out shortly after. If successful, this $50 million gamble could cement Chicago’s place not just as a city of architecture and deep-dish pizza, but as a capital of wonder.
Because in a world of digital overload, The Hand & The Eye dares to be unapologetically analog—where magic isn’t just seen, but felt.
