The Hand & The Eye

In partnership with Rockwell Group as the Design Architect and PFA as the Architect of Record, PFA coordinated the construction documents and oversaw the complete renovation of the 1889 McCormick Mansion and 1940 theater addition for the Kungsholm Restaurant and Grand Opera Puppet Theater. The building is a palimpsest of construction with buried secrets revealed at every wall and floor opening throughout demolition. Converting the property into a one of kind magic theater for The Hand & The Eye had many challenges.

Approximately 50% of the floor structures were removed, many reconstructed at new elevations to alleviate accessibility challenges and inadequate loading capacities. The penthouse addition required over 180 push piers to reinforce the existing foundations. Even with fewer floor elevations, two elevators were necessary for guests to reach the six bars, four theaters, mezzanine, dining rooms and rooftop conservatory, as well as a separate service elevator for staff to converse between the lower level commissary and second floor kitchen. A grand stair from the 1940 addition remains celebrated in the Foyer that greets guests as they arrive to their first performance of the night, alluding to the building’s theatrical history. While many secrets were uncovered throughout construction, new hidden secrets form a magical experience unique to The Hand & The Eye.