Chicago Mansion Transformed into World's Largest Magic Venue

A historic mansion in Chicago has been reimagined as The Hand & The Eye, a new dining and entertainment venue billed as the world's largest magic destination. Located near Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile, the establishment has transformed the 1895 L. Hamilton McCormick Mansion into a space that combines elements of a speakeasy, fun house, and cabaret.

Guests navigate grand staircases and secret passages to access three floors featuring drawing rooms, parlors, and lounges, each serving as a performance area. The venue opened to the public in April, showcasing a rotating lineup of magicians and mentalists, including notable performers such as Michael Ammar and Richard Osterlind. On a recent evening, Jeff Kaylor performed disappearing shrimp tricks, while Richard Turner demonstrated card manipulation.

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The Hand & The Eye is the realization of a passion project for Glen Tullman, a healthcare entrepreneur and longtime magic enthusiast. Tullman reportedly invested $50 million in the renovation of the 36,000-square-foot mansion, which has previously served as a private residence, casino, puppet theater, and restaurant. Architect and designer David Rockwell, known for his work on Academy Awards sets and Broadway productions, collaborated on the venue's design, aiming to evoke a bygone era while modernizing the magician's image.

"I’ve been in love with magic since I was 8 years old," Tullman stated. "The dream to create a unique home for magic, where people would travel from all around the world to experience and share the wonder and joy magic creates, has never been far from my heart and imagination."

Bre Smith joined as executive vice president, and together with Tullman and Rockwell, they developed the motto "magic plus hospitality equals astonishment." To preserve the mystique of the performances, the venue prohibits photography and videography. "You can turn off the real world for a moment, and forget about what’s happening outside the walls of the mansion," Smith said.

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Between shows, patrons can enjoy dining options that include steaks, seafood, and pasta dishes. The Hand & The Eye is also preparing for its first Halloween event,