After announcing early plans for a flagship restaurant in Chicago in early 2023, Hawksmoor reveals brand new design details for its opening in River North, slated for spring 2024.
The team is in the midst of restoring a designated Chicago landmark—The LaSalle Street Cable Car Powerhouse, a 16,500 square foot three-story space at 500 N LaSalle Street, which was first opened in 1887. In its heyday it pulled thousands of cable cars that brought approximately 100,000 workers into downtown Chicago each day.
Hawksmoor Head of Design, Mai-Yee Ng explains: “The building is a rare surviving piece of Chicago’s transportation history, and we are leaning on its past to inspire the space. We’re restoring many of its original features, such as barrel-vaulted ceilings, exposed timber joists and brickwork, while elevating the space by introducing new elements inspired by the 'Golden Age of Travel.'”
Upon arrival, guests will be guided through a triple-height reception to the first floor dining room, which seats up to 125 guests, including wraparound bar dining. Corded, velvet booths in complementary hues of blues and greens are assembled throughout the space, showcased over Hawksmoor’s parquet block flooring. Holophane glass pendant lights reclaimed from the historic Nairn Mill in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, complement wall finishes of warm, timeless, timber paneling and a central, canopied, brass bar set amongst glazed brick tiles. In a nod to the original owner of the building, Charles Tyson Yerkes, who played a major role in developing mass-transit systems in London as well as Chicago, the tiles are inspired by those found in London Underground stations.
The second floor, 76-cover dining room, features a timber bar and highlights golden ochre fixed seating with larger booths in plush deep marine blue. Restored Parisian holophane glass street lamps hang from exposed timber joists in a space that offers a range of dining possibilities and can be hired for events and parties. Additionally, there will be two bookable private dining rooms available for large groups including one for up to 22 guests and a second option for up to 16.
After announcing early plans for a flagship restaurant in Chicago in early 2023, Hawksmoor reveals brand new design details for its opening in River North, slated for spring 2024.
The team is in the midst of restoring a designated Chicago landmark—The LaSalle Street Cable Car Powerhouse, a 16,500 square foot three-story space at 500 N LaSalle Street, which was first opened in 1887. In its heyday it pulled thousands of cable cars that brought approximately 100,000 workers into downtown Chicago each day.
Hawksmoor Head of Design, Mai-Yee Ng explains: “The building is a rare surviving piece of Chicago’s transportation history, and we are leaning on its past to inspire the space. We’re restoring many of its original features, such as barrel-vaulted ceilings, exposed timber joists and brickwork, while elevating the space by introducing new elements inspired by the 'Golden Age of Travel.'”
Upon arrival, guests will be guided through a triple-height reception to the first floor dining room, which seats up to 125 guests, including wraparound bar dining. Corded, velvet booths in complementary hues of blues and greens are assembled throughout the space, showcased over Hawksmoor’s parquet block flooring. Holophane glass pendant lights reclaimed from the historic Nairn Mill in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, complement wall finishes of warm, timeless, timber paneling and a central, canopied, brass bar set amongst glazed brick tiles. In a nod to the original owner of the building, Charles Tyson Yerkes, who played a major role in developing mass-transit systems in London as well as Chicago, the tiles are inspired by those found in London Underground stations.
The second floor, 76-cover dining room, features a timber bar and highlights golden ochre fixed seating with larger booths in plush deep marine blue. Restored Parisian holophane glass street lamps hang from exposed timber joists in a space that offers a range of dining possibilities and can be hired for events and parties. Additionally, there will be two bookable private dining rooms available for large groups including one for up to 22 guests and a second option for up to 16.
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