RH Opens Chicago Store Today

October 7, 2015  by in Furniture Retailing, Industry   

The store is housed in 70,000 square feet across six floors in a restored building. “It was clear from the moment we saw the Three Arts Club that this was a rare opportunity to build a ‘field of dreams’—a lasting gift to the city of Chicago—where we could reimagine the retail experience by blurring the lines between residential and retail, indoors and outdoors, home and hospitality,” said Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO. “With great admiration for the building’s history and architecture, we are reestablishing this landmark’s relevance by harmoniously incorporating aspirational interior and exterior installations with an integrated hospitality concept unlike anything that exists in retail.”

RH Chicago marks Friedman’s continued collaboration with design architect James Gillam of Backen, Gillam & Kroeger, a firm recognized as one of Architectural Digest’s Top 100 Architect and Design firms in the world.

The historic building was designed in 1914 by architectural firm Holabird & Roche and was originally used as a residence for young women studying music, drama and the visual arts. Honoring its cultural significance and singular place in Chicago’s urban landscape, the entire structure has been restored with respect for its original vision in collaboration with the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, and brought back to life with artistic abstractions and never-before-seen collections of luxury home furnishings in a gallery setting.

Upon arrival, guests are met by the restored exterior and main, tripartite entrance on North Dearborn Parkway—a series of three arches reaching 19 feet separated by fluted columns with Byzantine capitals featuring emblems of the three arts: music, drama and the visual arts. To the south, the building features sculptural reliefs of female figures, which are replicas of the Jean Goujon panels at the Fontaine des Innocents in Paris. 

Visitors then pass through a vestibule complete with barrel-vaulted ceiling and into the entrance hall, where they will find “The Source,” a 19th-century, seven-foot statue of cast iron – whose origins trace back to Limoux, France – by sculptor and medalist Louis Sauvageau. Here, they will also discover the grand stair – reopened years after having been walled off to reveal natural light emanating from the Rooftop Conservatory five floors above. Looking ahead, visitors will have unobstructed views through the Lounge with its historic stage lined with gilded antique mirrors to create an endless reflection and further illuminate acoustic performances by musical artists.

On the main level, guests will experience a historic courtyard, which for the first time in the building’s history is functional year round with the addition of a pyramidal glass and steel structure, creating a conservatory inside the building. Suspended from this center point directly above the Courtyard’s circular, 12-foot historic fountain is an eight-foot rococo crystal and iron chandelier. From the Courtyard’s perimeter, visitors will be able to pass freely through eight reopened archways that lead to each room on the main level, including the historic living room with its reclaimed fireplaces and the loggia with its iridescent gold, groin-vaulted ceilings and original herringbone brick floors, which now plays host to the 3 Arts Club Wine Vault & Tasting Room. Along the way, visitors will enjoy artistic installations of luxury home furnishings from renowned designers and global artisans in a setting enhanced by the Club’s intricate mosaics, decorative tile work and striking frescoes – all of which have been restored to their original glory.