CHICAGO LANDMARK

A venerated Chicago Landmark was purchased by a small investment company to be used for private offices and entertaining. Originally built as two residences for the McCormick family, the structure was later joined and altered significantly over a period of years, becoming a showcase for the family's collection of architectural fragments, furniture, and decorative arts. In later years, the building housed a millinery shop, a furniture store, and most famously, Chez Paul, a famous French Restaurant. The building was sensitively adapted for modern living and working.

As part of the restoration, key rooms and elements were carefully restored including the Louis the XV Dining Room, the Jacobean Parlor, marble columns from the 1893 Columbia Exposition and the gravity defying main staircase-a Victorian tour de force of design and joinery. The primary structure was rebuilt and reinforced and building systems were completely updated. Rooms were reconfigured to house a trading floor, offices and meeting rooms and a private suite was included for visiting clients. A new garage features a roof-top terrace for seasonal entertaining.

Chicago Landmark was designed by Patrick McGuire for Searl, LaMaster Howe Architects in collaboration with Linda Searl.

Photography by Bruce Van Inwegen.