Rockwell Group Transforms Chicago's McCormick Mansion into Magic Venue The Hand & The Eye

The Hand & The Eye, a $50 million magic experience, has opened in Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion near the Magnificent Mile. Designed by Rockwell Group, the 36,000-square-foot, five-story venue features seven performance spaces, drawing rooms, parlors, and lounges. Founder David Rockwell, a Chicago native and magic enthusiast, preserved original features like gas lamps and the plaster staircase while adding secret passageways and rare 19th-century artifacts. The project was funded by healthcare entrepreneur Glen Tullman. Rockwell collaborated with Jeff Kaylor, EVP of Magic at The Hand & The Eye, to create intimate performance settings. The building's past includes a 1930s casino, the Kungsholm Grand Opera Puppet Theatre, and Lawry's restaurant. Rockwell cited Chicago's close-up magic traditions and his childhood in Mexico as influences. The venue aims to push the art of magic forward by providing purpose-built spaces for performers.