The Former Chicago Historical Society Building is a historic landmark located at 632 N. Dearborn Street on the northwest corner of Dearborn and Ontario streets near downtown Chicago. Built in 1892, the granite-clad building is a prime example of Henry Ives Cobb's Richardsonian Romanesque architecture.[1] Henry Cobb designed this home for Walter Loomis Newberry, founder of the Newberry Library in Chicago. The building was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1997. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, under the name, Old Chicago Historical Society Building.
Old Chicago Historical Society Building | |
Location | 632 N. Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois |
---|---|
Coordinates | 41°53′36.92″N 87°37′47.85″W / 41.8935889°N 87.6299583°W |
Built | 1892 |
Architect | Henry Ives Cobb |
Architectural style | Romanesque, Gothic |
NRHP reference No. | 78001126[1] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | November 28, 1978 |
Designated CL | February 26, 1997 |
The building was the home of the Chicago Historical Society after its original headquarters burned down[2] in the Great Chicago Fire,[3] and prior to its relocation to Lincoln Park in 1931. Afterwards, the building housed a magazine publisher, the Works Progress Administration, the Loyal Order of Moose,[2] the Chicago Institute of Design (1946–1956), and recording studios (1950s and 1960s). Since 1985 it has been the location of a series of nightclubs.
From 1985 to 1989, nightclub entrepreneur Peter Gatien operated The Limelight nightclub in the building, one of his chain of nightclubs under that name; at some point he bought the building. In January 1989, Gatien sold the building to Fred Hoffman for $3.5 million. Hoffman spent $1 million renovating the building, and in 1989 opened Excalibur and Vision, two "sister clubs". At the time of their openings in 1989, the two clubs were the largest non-hotel entertainment facility in Chicago.[4]
The northern portion of the building was Vision, which had its own entrance. Vision was a large multi-level, multi-room nightclub that catered to fans of hip-hop, trance, and or house music. Notable guests who played at Vision included Rihanna, MSTRKRFT, Moby, Paul van Dyk, Benny Benassi, Cosmic Gate, Armin Van Buuren, Tiësto, Gabriel & Dresden and Gareth Emery.
On April 24, 2001, it was reported that a waitress for Excalibur, Colleen Gallagher, was tipped $11,000 by a customer who had run up a $60 bar tab.[5]
Excalibur and Vision closed in mid-2012.
On December 31, 2012, after six months of remodeling, the club was re-launched as "Castle Chicago". With a three million dollar remodel replacing decor, lighting, and sound systems, the multi-venue Castle contains three nightclubs, a restaurant, a lounge and a craft cocktail bar, as well as private party facilities.[6]
The building was purchased by Four Corners Tavern Group Inc. in May 2014 and ceased operation as the Castle nightclub in early January 2015.[7]
Most recently the Tao Group opened its signature Hybrid Asian Cuisine/ Nightclub in the location in September 2018.[8] Tao operates on the 2nd floor.
Notes